Following major mouth cancer surgery in August 2022, Australian singer John Farnham has hit some bumps in the road to recovery.
In March 2023, John returned to the hospital to be treated for a respiratory infection.
Now in August, John Farnham has released his first statement since the surgery.
John Farnham was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
(Image: Getty)“I am the luckiest man I know right now (on being ‘all clear’ of cancer.)”
“It’s been a year since my first surgery and to be honest I’ve lost count as to how many other procedures there’s been since then. I’m sure someone’s kept track of them all – let’s just say, there’s been a few.”
His family got him through it, being there every step of the way. “But, I’m home now and I’m a very grateful and happy man. I’m sitting here in my living room lapping up the attention from my beautiful wife, Jill, my boys Rob and James and my mini Schnauzer, Edmund.”
“It’s only now that I can start to appreciate and comprehend, for myself, how many messages of love and support have been sent to me over the past year.”
Thanking his fans for supporting him, stating “I don’t know what to say, other than thank you so very much.”
John’s wife Jill and two sons Rob and James released a statement on May 8 to provide an update to fans before he did it.
“We’re pleased to say that John made a full recovery from a recent chest infection in late March which required hospitalisation,” they said.
“He is now comfortable and continues to receive ongoing treatment and rehabilitation care.
“The family would like to re-iterate their appreciation and deepest respect for all the medical staff that has attended to John over the past eight months and the many thousands of kind messages that (have) been received from across Australia and the world.”
Despite a two-month road to recovery, at the time of the infection, the family assured fans he was “responding well” and was “comfortable” with “the specialist care he’s receiving.”
The chest infection came about roughly eight months after his operation in August, which was a 12 hours marathon surgery with 26 surgeons stepping in to assist in the efforts to remove a cancerous growth from the musician’s mouth and part of his jaw.
The legendary singer is one of Australia’s most successful performers.
(Image: Instagram)Close family friend, Gaynor Wheatley said the singer is rebuilding his life after his fight with cancer.
“He’s in the rebuild side of the battle and he’s good and he’s funny and his eyes are sparkling blue and it’s wonderful. It’s a f-cking miracle,” she told the Daily Telegraph.
Even last year, the 73-year-old had been reported to have entertained his family over Christmas with a game of music trivia.
”He was MC with the family all gathered around and we laughed as we were all tested on our musical knowledge,” long-time friend, David Wilson told The Daily Telegraph in February.
”It is a process, it is slow and steady as she goes. He is going well.”
It is believed that John hosted a full house that included his wife Jillian, their sons Robert and James, their partners, and additional family and friends.
John and his wife ‘Jillie’ have been married for almost 50 years.
(Image: Facebook)Prior to his surgery in August, John’s family released a statement on his behalf.
“Cancer diagnosis is something that so many people face every single day, and countless others have walked this path before me,” John explained in the statement.
“The one thing I know for sure is that we have the very best specialist healthcare professionals in Victoria, and we can all be grateful for that. I know I am.”
In October, John’s sons spoke with A Current Affair and told host Tracy Grimshaw that they hoped the worst of their father’s health scare was behind them.
”He’s almost back to his normal self, just dropping jokes all the time. He’s a performer at heart and he’s always trying to make people laugh,” Robert said.
John was reported to be in high spirits six months on from his major cancer surgery.
(Image: Getty)Whilst it is unlikely that the singer will ever perform again, the only thing that matters to his family is a continual recovery.
The legendary singer is one of Australia’s most successful performers, known best for his 1986 single You’re the Voice.
After joining the Australian music scene as a teen in the late 1960s as “Johnny Farnham,” the singer has gone on to receive 19 ARIA awards.
John was also named Australian of the Year in 1987 and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1996.
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