Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Rikki Rockett, Drummer for Poison, Diagnosed with Cancer

Rikki Rockett has been diagnosed with cancer.


The musician, best known as the drummer for rock band Poison, opened up to Eddie Trunk on his radio show that a tumor was discovered at the base of his tongue in June.




Rikki Rockett pic



“Where I’m at now is, I went last week for my follow-up,” Rockett explained.


“Both doctors said I’m doing excellent, and they both have excellent prognoses. In early February, I get my PET scan, and that’s the end-all. That tells you if there’s any activity.


“They both said they suspect that there won’t be, and so I’ve got fingers crossed.”


Rockett went on to comfort fans by saying that this specific type of cancer is typically treatable.


“I did 35 rounds of radiation,” he said. “It was five days a week for seven weeks. But I went, ‘Okay, this is what I’m gonna do. I wanna beat it, so I’m just gonna go head first into this.’”



Why did Rockett keep the diagnosis a secret for so long?


The artist says this battle is the hardest thing he’s ever been through.


At one point, due to 16 canker sores, he could not even speak.


“I wanted to see how I would do with the treatment,” the rocker said. “I don’t want to hear anybody’s horror stories. I’m just gonna continue to get better and feel better. There’s nothing that looks like it’s there anymore. It looks like it’s in remission.”


We’re so very glad to hear that.