Mike Peters of The Alarm took to the band's website and official Instagram over the weekend to thank fans for their messages of support and share more information about his "latest cancer challenge."
"I'm never usually lost for words but right now I'm struggling to express how grateful I am for all the messages of love and support that have come my way from all corners of the world since I posted the news of my latest cancer challenge on Monday," he wrote in a message that was posted on Friday.
"Last week, there was still a 25% chance all of this was viral related but on Thursday night April 25th the severity of the situation was revealed to Jules and I by Dr. Heartin (The North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre), who confirmed to us that my 29 year old Leukaemia (CLL), had undergone an overnight transformation into a rare and aggressive form of Lymphoma known as Richter's Syndrome," he added. "I am now engaged in the biggest challenge of my life and have the highest mountain to climb in order to stay alive."
Peters shouted out his wife of 35 years, Jules, for her continued support amid "the magnitude and scale of the challenge that lies ahead [that] has been laid out before us."
Despite the bad news, Peters remains optimistic. "I know I can defy the odds and survive the intensive treatments the doctors at The Christie Institute have mapped out for me," he writes.
His treatment will begin with an 18-week cycle of R-CHOP therapy at the Christie Institute, where he also shouts out Dr. Adam Gibb.
"Although, I will be somewhat immuno-suppressed, I should be able to live a fairly normal life throughout this first phase of the treatment cycle," he writes. "As long as I avoid aeroplanes and don't rush to hug and kiss everyone I meet, then I should still be able to perform at some of the shows already planned for the UK this Summer and Autumn, especially the ones with Status Quo and Big Country. It might also be possible to add in one or two additional impromptu events and DJ sessions at The Red in between the chemo cycles just like I did with The Saturday Gigs back in 2006."
Peters reveals that any performances he does during this time will be as much for his mental well-being as it is for fans.
"I believe that having some performances to focus on will be imperative for my mental health and body conditioning as I gather my strength for the ordeal I am going to face both mentally and physically once the transplant phase begins," he writes.
He ends his message by asking fans to "keep the messages of support coming and lighting up the dark web with offerings of light and hope." He adds, "I have lived to tell the tale before and shall do so again."
