Merle Haggard Battles Lung Cancer

Country legend Merle Haggard is currently recovering from surgery due to a recent lung cancer diagnosis. The surgery, which removed a portion of the 71 year old singer’s lung, was performed Monday. He is reported to have non-small cell lung cancer, which is less dangerous and spreads more slowly than other forms of cancer.

Country legend Merle Haggard is currently recovering from surgery due to a recent lung cancer diagnosis. The surgery, which removed a portion of the 71 year old singer’s lung, was performed Monday. He is reported to have non-small cell lung cancer, which is less dangerous and spreads more slowly than other forms of cancer.

Haggard is optimistic about his health. “Due to the surgeon, Dr. Peck, the Tylenol pushers on the fourth floor of the Memorial Hospital, and most of all, my wife Theresa, I’m feeling good … better and better each day,” Haggard said. “If not for the love and wisdom of my wife, I might not be around today.”

Haggard has been at the musical game for more than 40 years now, earning numerous hits and playing with the likes of Elvis Costello and Lynyrd Skynyrd. He has also had several run-ins with the law, but never let a little trouble get him down. When it was announced he had lung cancer originally, he assured fans that this battle wouldn’t get him down either.

The surgery eliminated the tissue in question, and doctors are hoping that the surgery will prevent the country star from having any further complications in the future. The Haggard family is currently asking for privacy, but is very grateful for the support and prayers of Merle’s longtime legion of fans.

Always one to keep his humor, Haggard added “I’d sure like to know who controls the largest shares of Tylenol. God forbid it be the oil companies!”