The Remedy keyboardist Roger O’Donnell reveals ‘aggressive’ blood most cancers diagnosistheinsiderinsight

The Remedy keyboardist Roger O’Donnell has disclosed he has been identified with an “aggressive” type of blood most cancers.

The 68-year-old stated he had “ignored the signs for a couple of months” earlier than a biopsy in 2023 confirmed he had a uncommon kind of lymphoma.

London-born O’Donnell wrote on Instagram on Sunday: “September is Blood Most cancers Consciousness Month so it’s a great alternative to have a dialogue about these illnesses.

“In September final yr I used to be identified with a really uncommon and aggressive type of lymphoma.

“I had ignored the signs for a couple of months however lastly went for a scan and after surgical procedure the results of the biopsy was devastating.”

He stated he accomplished 11 months of remedy, beneath a few of “the best specialists on the planet”. His remedy concerned taking most cancers medication and present process immunotherapy adopted by radiotherapy.

The keyboardist assured followers that he’s “nice” and that his prognosis is “superb”.

He continued: “The mad axe assassin knocked on the door and we didn’t reply.”

He added: “Most cancers may be crushed however in case you are identified early sufficient you stand a method higher likelihood, so all I’ve to say is go get examined, in case you have the faintest thought you might have signs go and get checked out.

“Lastly if you realize somebody who’s ailing or struggling speak to them, each single phrase helps, consider me I do know.”

Signing off, the musician thanked his companion Mimi, and his medical crew.

In one other publish shared hours after, O’Donnell smiled on the digicam in a black-and-white image, captioning it: “The hair isn’t out of selection hahahah,” probably alluding to the lack of hair by his remedy.

O’Donnell had beforehand advised followers that he had been unwell however merely disclosed he had a “critical well being challenge” when he was compelled to tug out from performing in Mexico with the band in 2023.

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Based on Blood Most cancers UK, signs can embody unexplained weight reduction and strange bruising, breathlessness, rashes, excessive tiredness, chest ache, lumps and swollen glands.

The Remedy, recognized for the tracks “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Friday I’m In Love”, have additionally performed the Teenage Most cancers Belief sequence of live shows.

Led by Robert Smith, the rock band was shaped in Crawley, West Sussex, within the Nineteen Seventies with O’Donnell becoming a member of in 1987. He had left the group on two events beforehand, in 1990 and 2005. However in 2011, he rejoined the band.

A earlier drummer for the band, Andy Anderson, died aged 68 in 2019 after being identified with most cancers.

Present band members have lengthy been teasing a brand new document, with the band’s frontman Robert Smith telling NME in 2022 that an album can be arriving “very quickly”.

“It’s known as ‘Songs Of A Misplaced World’. It’s obtained art work, it’s obtained a working order, it’s nearly carried out!” he stated on the time.

O’Donnell beforehand described the unreleased album because the band’s “most intense” and “saddest” document thus far.

Speaking to Basic Pop journal, he stated: “4 years in the past, I stated to Robert, ‘We have now to make yet one more document…it needs to be probably the most intense, saddest, most dramatic and most emotional document we’ve ever made, after which we are able to simply stroll away from it.’ He agreed. Listening to the demos, it’s that document. I believe everyone will likely be proud of it.”

However he stated that since their final album, 4:13 Dream, got here out in 2008, the subsequent launch can be “valuable”.

“The issue is, it’s 12 years because the final album so it turns into valuable,” O’Donnell stated on the time. “While you’ve obtained a again catalogue like The Remedy, it’s lots to reside as much as. Robert has stated, ‘if The Remedy say any extra, it had higher be vital and it had higher be fucking good’.

“It’s, it’s going to be an incredible document. I simply counsel slightly persistence,” he stated on the time.

With extra reporting from PA.