Legendary feather-haired falsetto Robin Gibb has been diagnosed with liver cancer which is a particularly hard disease to beat and the prognosis is generally poor

The former Bee Gee, 61, had recently been suffering from abdominal cramps and had lost a lot of weight. At first, Gibb wasn’t too worried because he’s always been thin and was a long time vegetarian. Gibb assumed that the gas and cramps he was experiencing were a normal part of his vegetable heavy diet, however, the cramps worsened and eventually he had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

After an examination, the doctor told Gibb that he was suffering from something far more serious than a bad case of gas and that he had about an hour to live unless he had immediate surgery. Gibb was stunned, he said, “I told the surgeon, ‘Hang on, I’ve only got cramps!’” But the doctor informed him that he had an intestinal blockage that looked like it was about to burst and if it did he would likely die. Gibb’s doctor was very blunt and said, “the only way out for you, pal, is through the operating theatre or the morgue.” Gibb had the operation and after a few days felt a lot better, however that good feeling was not long-lived.

Six months after the surgery he was diagnosed with liver cancer. Gibb and his wife Dwina decided not to say anything about his illness so that he could undergo treatment privately. However, after a television appearance in October, speculation about Gibb’s appearance surfaced. Viewers were shocked by his frail appearance and the rumors began to spread, forcing Gibb to go public with his cancer diagnosis.

Gibb and his wife have lived most of their lives using holistic and alternative forms of medicine. So it is no surprise that they are seeking unconventional forms of treatment that include daily 20 minute sessions in a detox hut to sweat out toxins and something called Native American ‘spider medicine’, which promises to “cure even the most untreatable diseases.” Spider medicine involves hours of meditation in which the patient envisions a spider creating and weaving its own fate. The patient attempts to capture that powerful energy and channel it to heal their body. I’m not sure about spider medicine as a treatment, however when facing death I guess you’ll try anything, right?

Liver cancer is a particularly hard disease to beat and the prognosis is generally poor. Most patients are given a life expectancy of 3 months to a year, depending on the extent of the disease and available treatments. Surgery to remove the cancer is one option, however it is only successful in about 10% to 20% of cases and if the cancer cannot be removed surgically, the disease is usually fatal within a year. In addition to surgery, treatments for liver cancer include chemotherapy and radiation as well as oral medications to block the tumor’s growth. In some cases, if a patient is diagnosed early enough they may be eligible for a liver transplant; though, very few patients are diagnosed early.

As for Gibb, he is reportedly receiving treatments in his hometown and is surrounded by his brother Barry, his mother Barbara, his wife and their children. He seems to be in good spirits as well and says, “It is humbling and I take your prayers and good wishes for my health very seriously. I have been very unwell and am now on the road to recovery, and your prayers and wishes are a great tonic to me. I am very touched by your love, kindness and support.”

Robin, we wish you well. 

Stacy Matson, a health enthusiast from Southern California, regularly blogs on Celebrity Health for A Healthier World, as well as contributing to the Best of the Best.