Prayers to Charles, the Kelley family and Lady A.
This morning, Charles Kelley, one of the key members of Lady A (formerly Lady Antebellum) revealed that he is currently dealing with a rare form of blood cancer.
Taking to Instagram alongside his wife, Cassie, Charles would explain that he recently suffered a few “random” rib fractures, which prompted his doctors to perform a few different blood tests. Upon performing one of the final blood tests, the doctors found that he had a rare blood cancer, multiple myeloma.
According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple myeloma is, in fact, a rare type of blood cancer that forms in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell, which grows in bone marrow. One of the most notable affects of multiple myeloma is that it causes the body to produce less healthy antibodies, which work with the immune system to protect against germs and other harmful bacteria.
Kelley, however, is in great spirits, remarking how he feels healthy and noting how far treatment has come over the past few years. Additionally, he’d point to a close friend who is also going through a similar form of blood cancer as source of inspiration and help.
“I’m young; I feel healthy. The treatments — I will say — have just come so far, even in the last five years. The life expectancy just far exceeds what it used to be. I don’t know; I feel really hopeful. I really do.
We have a friend going through this right now, and she’s been sharing some of her journey. She’s about two months ahead of me on this, and it helped me so much watching that.”
After comparing the upcoming medical journey to his recent sobriety, Kelley would assure fans that he’s feeling great right now, how excited he is for the new Lady A record that’s in the works and that he will still be out on the road with the trio for their upcoming Christmas tour.
“Right now, I feel great. We got a new record coming out soon with Lady A, and we got Christmas shows. The first six months of treatment — I believe — is not going to be too super invasive. I can still work.
I think physically I will feel like myself. I’ll have tough days, but I want to keep working… I need to be happy and doing what I love to do and spending and soaking up as much time with my family as I can as well. But I’m hopeful; I really am… It’s just another hurdle, and I feel confident that we’re gonna get through it.”
Cassie would finish by adding that she’s thankful for the medical team down in Nashville who are currently working on a plan to treat Kelly over the following months as well.
“[I’m] thankful for a great care team and to be in Nashville with some really great doctors.”
Upon posting the video to Instagram, a plethora of artists around Nashville and beyond, as well as their partners, would comment on the post, sending prayers and well wishes to Charles, Cassie and the rest of the Kelley family.
“Love you guys… praying for all yall and lifting you up brother” – Jake Owen
“❤️❤️❤️❤️” – Ernest
“Sending prayers man! You got this!” – Kameron Marlowe
“Im gonna be praying. The last two years, i’ve had more friends diagnosed than any other time in my life. But also, the most folks that have been diagnosed that also BEATS it! If there’s anytime in the existence of the world to fight this fight, it’s now. Treatment has come so so far & I’m going to be praying not only for you I your wife & kids, I will be praying for the nurses & doctors that are helping you defeat this lil ugly monster. Sending all my love to yall, you got this Charles🧡” – Caylee Hammack
“The strongest duo right there! Love y’all so much! You’ve got this!” – Hillary Scott (of Lady A)
“We love you, Charles” – Lady A
“Praying for you brother” – Jordan Davis
“Omg we love you so much and are here with you for whatever you need!!!!” – Karen Fairchild (of Little Big Town)
“You’ve got this. Praying for yall” – Nicole Combs
“Love you! Here for whatever you need. You got this!” – Martina McBride
“Lifting you up brother. Let me know if there is anything we can do for you all.” – Mark Wills
“Love you brother!” – Shay Mooney (of Dan + Shay)
“Praying!! U absolutely got this!” – Nate Smith
Keep Charles and the Kelley family in your prayers.
