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The country music legend Toby Keith revealed back in June that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer last fall, and that he would need to take a break from music to undergo treatment. Now, he’s giving fans his first update about his health since then. 

Keith Gives Update On Cancer Battle

People Magazine reported that despite his diagnosis, Keith said in a new interview that he’s confident about his future. 

“I need a little bit of time to just rest up and heal up,” said Keith, 61. “It’s pretty debilitating to have to go through all that, but as long as everything stays hunky-dory, then we’ll look at something good in the future.”

Keith took to Instagram in June to reveal his cancer diagnosis to the world, saying, “Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer.”

“I’ve spent the last six months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax,” he continued. “I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”

Backstory: Country Music Star Toby Keith Reveals Devastating Cancer Diagnosis

“Thank you for all your love and support. I have the best fans in the world,” Keith later added.

Keith surprised fans at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse in Lexington, Kentucky last month by performing “I Love This Bar” and Lynyrd Skynard’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” 

Keith Honored With BMI Icon Award

Keith was honored with the BMI Icon Award at the 2022 BMI Awards a few days later, and artists like Carrie Underwood and Eric Church performed at this tribute. 

“Being maybe one of the youngest cats ever to be a BMI Icon,” Keith said after receiving the award, according to CMT. “When we’re in the middle of it and doing all that stuff, building that catalog – we didn’t know what we were accomplishing, we just had our heads down working,” he explained to Alan. “The songwriting stuff was always the most important to me. When I got here [Nashville], they were like, ‘Are you a songwriter?’ and I was like, ‘I think I am.'”

“I just hoped that the artist and the other part would carry it or somebody would cut these songs,” he added. “But, it all worked out in the end.”

Related: Toby Keith Laments Being Unable To Accept Lifetime Achievement Award Due To Cancer Battle

Keith Leans On His Wife

Throughout his cancer battle, Keith has been leaning on his wife Tricia Lucas, who he has been married to since 1984. In a 2015 interview, he talked about how she believed in him when nobody else did as he tried to make it as a country music singer in his younger days. 

“Dozens of people told Tricia, ‘You need to go tell your old man to get a real job,’” he said, according to The Boot. “It took a strong-hearted and loving woman to say, ‘He’s good enough at music that I’ve got to let him try. And it’ll be a great shot for both of us if he can make it work.’”

“I absolutely love performing and writing songs, but being at home with my wife, Tricia, and my three kids is the best feeling of all,” Keith continued.

Keith and Lucas are parents to three adult children and several grandchildren, according to US Weekly. 

Battling cancer is one of the hardest things that a person could be forced to do, but Keith is a fighter who appears to be handling it quite well. Please join us in saying a prayer for Keith’s full recovery! 

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