Freddy Fender has incurable cancer

AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/2/06 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Musician Freddy Fender has incurable cancer, discovered after tumors were found on his lungs, and his wife said they are "hoping for a miracle."

"I feel very comfortable in my life," Fender told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times for a story published Wednesday. "I'm one year away from 70 and I've had a good run. I really believe I'm OK. In my mind and in my heart, I feel OK. I cannot complain that I haven't lived long enough, but I'd like to live longer."

Fender started his career in the late 1950s and hit the charts with "Before The Next Teardrop Falls," "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" and "You'll Lose A Good Thing." He has won three Grammy Awards, the most recent in 2002.

He was to have surgery in early January to remove the upper left lobe of his lung because of a fungal infection, but surgeons found two large tumors and left the lobe intact.

Fender underwent chemotherapy in late January but stopped because of its side effects. A scan later found nine more tumors.

He was resting at his home in Corpus Christi, said Vangie Huerta, his wife and manager, adding that she did not ask doctors to estimate how long he might live.

Fender, who has canceled all performances, has decided to resume chemotherapy at a lower dosage.

"We can prolong his life with medication or chemo, but it's not a cure," his wife said.

Fender received a kidney from his daughter in 2002 and a liver transplant in 2004. He has had problems with diabetes and hepatitis C.

___

On the Net:

Freddy Fender: http://www.freddyfender.com/

[NormsRevenge]

Tex-Mex country singer, Freddy Fender gestures to photographers after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, in this, Feb. 4, 1999, file photo. Fender has incurable cancer, discovered after tumors were found on his lungs, and his wife said they are 'hoping for a miracle.' 'I feel very comfortable in my life,' Fender told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times for a story published Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006. 'I'm one year away from 70 and I've had a good run. I really believe I'm OK. In my mind and in my heart, I feel OK. I cannot complain that I haven't lived long enough, but I'd like to live longer.' (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)

[new cruelty]

Sad news. I remember digging through my parents albums and seeing a lot of his stuff.

[bannie]

He seems to have a wonderful outlook. I hope the best for him and his family.

[Millee]

I'm sorry to hear that. I enjoy his music. :o(

[Sue Perkick]

Keeping him in prayer. Praying for the Lord's will for him. Always loved Freddy. When he went into that spanish part of "Before the Next Teardrop Falls"--I have no idea what he was saying but he sure did make it sound good. He has always seemed like a real decent man. God bless him & his family.

[359Henrie]

His best work is with the Texas Tornado's, love him.

[JimSEA]

'I'm one year away from 70 and I've had a good run

Always a class act. Unless you have been half drunk in La Mina Bar in Superior, Arizona listening to his "La Banda Esta Boracho"(The band is drunk) -- well you just haven't lived life to the fullest.

[Rte66]

Oh, that was such a pretty song. I liked just about everything he recorded. I pray he gets his hoped-for miracle.

~~~~
BEFORE THE NEXT TEARDROP FALLS

If he brings you happiness, then I wish you both the best.
It's your happiness that matters most of all.
But if he ever breaks your heart,
If the teardrops ever start,
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls

Si te quiere de verdad y te da felicidad
te deseo lo mas bueno para los dos
Pero si te hace llorar a mi me puedes hablar
Y estar contigo cuando triste esta

Though it hurts to let you go,
Darling I want you to know
That I'll stand by you if ever you should call...
And if I should ever hear
That he makes you shed a tear,
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls.
I'll be there anytime you need me by your side
To dry away every teardrop that you cried
And if he ever leaves you blue,
Just remember I love you
And I'll be there before the next teardrop falls ...
Yes, I'll be there before the next teardrop falls.
~~~~~

[Varda]

I was living in West Virginia the first time I heard "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights". The DJ liked it so much he played it three times in a row. Via con Dios, mi amigo.

[Gary Seven]

I recorded two of the Tornados albums. Freddy is a true gentleman.