'It's pretty debilitating': Toby Keith hopes for 'something good in the future' amid stomach cancer treatment
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA: Toby Keith has opened up about his struggle with cancer. The 61-year-old country artist told his followers back in June that he was taking a break from music to undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery after being told he had stomach cancer in the fall of 2021.
Keith expressed optimism for the future in an upcoming interview with CMT Hot 20 Countdown, his first after disclosing his condition. He said, "I need a little bit of time to just rest up and heal up. 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."
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You heard it here first! @tobykeith has plans to get back on the road after battling cancer 👊 More details on his road to recovery this weekend only on #cmtHot20! pic.twitter.com/3p3Rs5a1XM
— CMT Hot 20 Countdown (@cmtHot20) November 19, 2022
In a post Keith shared on Instagram over the summer, he said, "I've spent the last six months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax. I am looking forward to spending this time with my family." He continued, "But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can't wait." In a follow-up post, Keith honored his supporters, writing, "Thank you for all your love and support. I have the best fans in the world."
Keith stunned the crowd earlier this month by performing songs like "I Love This Bar" and Lynyrd Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama" at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse in Lexington, Kentucky. The proprietor of the restaurant praised Keith for overcoming cancer and performing again while posting a picture from the show on social media. A few days later, Keith received the BMI Icon Award at the 2022 BMI Awards, and tribute performances by singers including Carrie Underwood and Eric Church were given in his honour, as reported by PEOPLE.
The "Red Solo Cup" singer thanked his fans for their donations to the Toby Keith Foundation by posting a touching photo of him next to a cancer patient on Giving Tuesday. Keith founded the group in 2006 to offer assistance to kids battling cancer. He said that the most recent contributions will go to the OK Kids Korral, which he started in 2014 and describes as "a cost-free, convenient, and comfortable home for paediatric cancer patients receiving treatment."
"Thumbs up if you're celebrating #GivingTuesday by donating to the @tkfoundation1!" he said in the caption of his post. "Your donations make the OK Kids Korral possible, a home away from home for children battling cancer and their families."