Country Star Merle Haggard Battling Lung Cancer

Country singer Merle Haggard, recently diagnosed with lung cancer, had part of a lung removed and is recovering at home, his spokeswoman said on Sunday.

The 71-year-old singer-songwriter underwent surgery on Monday in a Bakersfield, California, hospital.

"I'm feeling good ... better and better each day," Haggard was quoted as saying in a statement. "If not for the love and wisdom of my wife (Theresa), I might not be around today."

Doctors removed the upper lobe of Haggard's right lung after a biopsy revealed that he had non-small cell lung cancer, the statement said. Tests revealed that all the affected tissue was removed.

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Comments

[LoRiseAntlers]

I just cried and cried when I read this.Merle Haggard is a big part of my childhood narrative.My grandparents,who raised me for my first ten years,were just a couple of hillbillies out of the Boston Mountains of Northwest Arkansas,and country music was a vital part of our lives back then.Merle Haggard,Buck Owens,Johnny Cash,the list goes on and on,are all part of the soundtrack of my childhood memories.Every time one of these people pass,it's like I've lost my grandparents all over again.

Good luck,Mr.Haggard.I will pray for you.

[Joeblue]

Best of luck Merle, love you man! You kept me together throughout the highs and lows.

[UltraClassic]

Are we rolling down hill like a snowball headed for hell? Nah.

Hang in there M. H.

[trollsbwild]

Thinking of you, Merle-

And I turned twenty one in prison
doing life without parole
no one could steer me right
but mamma tried, mamma tried
mamma tried to raise me better
but her pleadings I denied
now there is only me to blame
'cause mamma tried

[darthdarcy]

Fight it, hang tough and get well Merle...

[tre]

I'll pray for you, Okie from Muskogee.

[jmpurser]

Good luck buddy.