14 DAY TRIAL // Fans can breathe easy: contrary to ongoing reports, the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is not dying of pancreatic cancer, a cousin of hers has stated in a recent interview. Franklin is doing well and will be leaving the hospital soon.
People magazine reports that, while Aretha’s rep remains tight-lipped, a member of her family has made the decision to speak out and reassure the fans that the situation is far from as serious as speculated.
As of now, the singer is still in the hospital but she’s definitely not dying and, as announced a few days ago, is recovering well. Moreover, she’ll be back on the stage next year in May.
“Aretha Franklin, who has been suffering from a previously unknown illness, is ‘doing better than doctors expected’ and should be released from the hospital this weekend, a cousin says,” People reports.
“Brenda Corbett tells the Detroit Free Press that ‘[Franklin] has a long life in front of her and will be back in concert, on stage, late spring or early summer’,” the mag details.
As we also informed you the other day, a few days ago, Aretha underwent emergency surgery for a condition that was not made known to the media, but her rep did say they were expecting a quick recovery.
Hours later, the National Enquirer ran a story saying that, this summer, after a fall in the shower that cost her a few broken ribs, the singer had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Doctors reportedly told her at the time that she had 5 to 10% odds of survival and that, at best, she had up to one year left to live, the tab said in its shocking piece.
To make matters even worse, Franklin’s rep continues to remain unavailable for comment and has made no effort to put an end to the rumors that are – almost literally – burning a hole in the blogosphere.
At the same time, another family member (unnamed this time) confirmed for a Detroit radio station that Franklin did, indeed, have cancer but didn’t mention the type.