Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Pretty self-explanatory
Neil.
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Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Neil. »

Wishing Elvis the very best of health and a full recovery:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44736992
Eugene
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Eugene »

Elvis Costello Forced To Cancel Remaining European Dates

Elvis Costello has been forced to cancel the remaining 6 dates of his current European tour on medical grounds. His doctor has strongly advised him to take a break from his current tour itinerary and rest.

Ticket holders should go to point of purchase for refunds.

Elvis apologises to his fans and releases the following statement:

“Six weeks ago my specialist called me and said, "You should start playing the Lotto". He had rarely, if ever, seen such a small but very aggressive cancerous malignancy that could be defeated by a single surgery.

I was elated and relieved that our European summer tour could go ahead.

Post-surgical guidelines for such surgery, recommend three weeks to four weeks recovery depending on whether you are returning to a desk job or an occupation that involves physical work or travel.

It was impossible to judge how this advisory would line up with the demands on a traveling musician, playing 90-minute to 2-hour plus performances on a nightly basis but by the time we reached the Edinburgh Playhouse, I was almost fooled into thinking that normal service had been resumed.

I have to thank our friends attending last night's show in Amsterdam and those in Antwerp, Glynde and at Newcastle City Hall for bearing me up. The spirit has been more than willing but I have to now accept that it is going to take longer than I would have wished for me to recover my full strength. Therefore, I must reluctantly cancel all the remaining engagements of this tour.

My apologies go to our ticket holders in Manchester, Pula, Graz, Vienna, Tysnes and Rattvik but I would rather disappoint our friends there by not appearing than in pressing on with a show that is compromised and
eventually puts my health at risk.

My deep thanks go to Pete Thomas, Steve Nieve and Davey Faragher of The Imposters for all their deep friendship, love and support during this upsetting time. Thanks also to Kitten Kuroi and Briana Lee whose beautiful voices have spurred me on to do the singing that I've managed, whatever the cost. It goes without saying that there are many others who have worked to get us to the stage and from town to town to whom I am also deeply grateful.

To leave you with some more optimistic news, The Imposters and I - together with several of our other friends - have made a magnificent new record of which we are truly proud. It will be issued in October, I believe. We will return at the soonest opportunity to play that music and your favourite songs that still make sense to us all.

Take very good care of your loved ones but Gentleman, do talk to you friends - you'll find you are not alone - seek your doctor's advice if you are in doubt or when it is timely and act as swiftly as you may in these matters. It may save your life. Believe me, it is better than playing roulette."

Yours through music. Elvis Costello”

Dates Affected

June
Wed 27th UK, Southend, Cliffs Pavilions
Thu 28th UK, Plymouth, Plymouth Pavilions

July
Fri 6th UK, Manchester, Castlefield Bowl
Sun 8th CROATIA, Pula, Pula Arena
Mon 9th AUSTRIA, Graz, Kasematten - Schlossberguhne
Weds 11th AUSTRIA, Vienna, Konzerthaus
Sat 14th NORWAY, Tysnes, Tysnesfest Gjesrstad Arena
Mon 16th SWEDEN, Rattvik, Dalhalla
chickendinna
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by chickendinna »

What terrible news to wake up to. I have a lump in my throat. Godspeed Elvis for a speedy recovery.
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verbal gymnastics
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by verbal gymnastics »

Wow - this is such a powerful statement.

Thanks Elvis and we'll see you when we see you.

All the best for your recovery. I know you'll be reading this :lol:
Who’s this kid with his mumbo jumbo?
bronxapostle
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by bronxapostle »

SHATTERED, yet, prayerful! FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT brother. :cry: :cry: :cry:
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John
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by John »

Bad news in the short term but it would appear that he acted quickly.

Good advice to all us men.

Elvis really needs to think of his loved ones, all his family and friends, and rest up.
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Fishfinger king
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Fishfinger king »

Terrible news. Let's all hope it's been fully dealt with. Rest, recuperation and hopefully full recovery.
Can't you see I'm trying to change this water to wine
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Jack of All Parades »

I only hope the best for him and his family and friends. A complete and total recovery is wished for him. Our time here is so short. May he have an extended stay.......
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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verbal gymnastics
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by verbal gymnastics »

The S*N tweeted an article to which Elvis replied

"Typical “S*N” laziness. People who can’t write for people who can’t think.
Don’t need your sympathy.
Tell that to the 96
@elviscostello"
Who’s this kid with his mumbo jumbo?
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by sulky lad »

Sincerest best wishes for a very speedy and full recovery Elvis - as one of those who witnessed your amazing and brave performance at Newcastle and the cost you paid for that astounding effort , I can only admire and respect your professionalism . Those of us who have loved and been inspired by all your musical adventures , we just want you well and able to continue in the best of health and mindsets .God bless you and yours .
And gents, after 50 a regular health check is a simple process to give your loved ones peace of mind and reassurances , and early diagnosis enables all treatment to be more efficacious .
Neil.
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Neil. »

Deleted cos it was a dupe (but I don't know how to delete a message!)
Last edited by Neil. on Fri Jul 06, 2018 9:09 am, edited 2 times in total.
Neil.
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Neil. »

verbal gymnastics wrote:The S*N tweeted an article to which Elvis replied

"Typical “S*N” laziness. People who can’t write for people who can’t think.
Don’t need your sympathy.
Tell that to the 96
@elviscostello"
I presume Elvis's issue is that said rag has headlined the story in a way that suggests Elvis is 'battling' cancer - when in fact Elvis clearly sees it as done and dusted, apart from the need to rest.
bronxapostle
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by bronxapostle »

Nice viewpoint Neil...I'll approach this tough news today in the manner you state here. Already tackled the major dilemma, just needs to strengthen himself further via an extended restful period. A good idea indeed this hot summer.
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Harry Worth
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Harry Worth »

Neil. wrote:
verbal gymnastics wrote:The S*N tweeted an article to which Elvis replied

"Typical “S*N” laziness. People who can’t write for people who can’t think.
Don’t need your sympathy.
Tell that to the 96
@elviscostello"
I presume Elvis's issue is that said rag has headlined the story in a way that suggests Elvis is 'battling' cancer - when in fact Elvis clearly sees it as done and dusted, apart from the need to rest.
No, the issue is much deeper.

Said rag is not fit to be toilet paper. Reference to the 96 is to its despicable, untrue reporting of the Hillsborough football tragedy in 1989.
Poor Deportee
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Poor Deportee »

The tone of EC's release is that the surgery is done and he just needs more recovery time.

I'm not a medical doctor, nor do I play one on TV. But my wife has a very non-aggressive breast tumour. It has been removed by surgery. Still she requires months of chemo treatment, and this will be followed by five years of vigilant scrutiny to watch for recurrence.

Every cancer is different, but my suspicion is that, despite the jaunty tone, Mr. MacManus is enduring chemo, and that the very aggressive nature of the tumour makes him a prime target for recurrence. I hope to God I'm wrong.

(On a lighter note...It's vintage EC that he takes potshots at the yellow press even in the midst of this :lol:)
When man has destroyed what he thinks he owns
I hope no living thing cries over his bones
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by sulky lad »

Deleted as advised
Last edited by sulky lad on Sun Jul 08, 2018 3:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
JONPD
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by JONPD »

Elvis a true professional for going ahead with the tour in the first place 8nstead of recupurating. Hope you now get all the rest you need.
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by jardine »

plu
Last edited by jardine on Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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docinwestchester
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by docinwestchester »

sulky lad wrote:I think it’s unlikely he would have undertaken a tour within the course of any sort of chemo- if this is a prostrate cancer ( as seems to be implied by the advice to gentleman only) then it’s more likely that the tumour had been completely removed but that the histology has shown exactly what type of tumour it was. The use of the phrase aggressive is a little unnerving as it could be misconstrued as metastatic , which means it is literally flowing through the body and had the potential to break off and form secondary tumours anywhere In the body but my guess is that the tumour has been entirely removed and Elvis just hadn’t given himself long enough to recover - added to the stress of touring is the hydration issues with a sweltering English summer, the heat and lights on the stage and probably a little renal compromise - possibly ! I would hope that if the aggressive form of the tumour had shown any signs of metastases Elvis would never have left Vancouver or New York and would still be under the care of his physicians ? What do you think, Doc ?
"I am a doctor, but I don't play one on TV..."

Sulky, your post makes sense, except for the use of the word "prostrate" (def: lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward). He seems to be implying that he has prostate cancer. Over 90% of prostate cancers are cured by either surgery or radiation therapy, either of which are equally effective. The operation, complete prostate removal, is major surgery and requires at least 4-6 weeks recovery. The radiation therapy option is non-invasive and there is not much recovery involved. Based on his timeline, it seems that he had the prostate surgery. The final pathology probably revealed a high grade cancer, the "worst" grade, but is still considered cured if there is no known spread away from the prostate.

If there is spread away from the prostate, aka metastatic disease, then he would most likely be on some sort of systemic treatment such as chemotherapy. I don't think his oncologist would have him travelling away from home in this circumstance. Also, as pointed out by jardine, Elvis states that it was "defeated by a single surgery", implying no metastatic disease.

So the best case and most likely scenario is he's cured of his prostate cancer, but still recovering from surgery. He'll be back to his old vaudevillian ways in the fall when the album is released and we in the NYC area (and other parts of the U.S.) get to see another series of awesome EC shows.

ELIVISISKINGELIVISISKINGELIVISISKINGELIVISISKINGELIVISISKINGELIVISISKINGELIVISISKING
MOJO
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by MOJO »

Nice assessment, Doc. Aggressive malignancy. Horrible words. Even worse when used together. Seems like he will be fine. Good news. Maybe get him on a macrobiotic diet. We need him around damn it!
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by sulky lad »

Thanks Doc, so much for spellcheck -!! as someone who measures one marker PSA hundreds of times a day , I’m painfully aware of the prevalence of this disease and the need for truly early diagnosis and treatment . Great summary and important to get a clinical view here !
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by erey »

Thank you, docinwestchester. I hadn't realized you were an actual doc, in Westchester.
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verbal gymnastics
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by verbal gymnastics »

Whatever it is/was let’s just wish him well!
Who’s this kid with his mumbo jumbo?
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Goon Squad »

verbal gymnastics wrote:Whatever it is/was let’s just wish him well!
Agreed !

I’m numb and devastated, but none of us really know the full story. All I want to do is wish him well for a speedy recovery, and hope that god willing he returns to full health. Anything beyond that pales into insignificance.
It’s not about us, it’s about him.
Get well soon Elvis........we all love you !
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Ymaginatif
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Re: Elvis Costello cancels tour after surgery to remove 'aggressive' tumour

Post by Ymaginatif »

In my (indirect) experience of cancer, words like "defeated by a single surgery", and "recommend[ed] three weeks to four weeks recovery", certainly need to by qualified by a certain passage of time before they can be deemed as facts ... :(

But like others have said, I'm not a doctor. And maybe different types of cancer behave differently ...
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