Country music legend Ray Price leaving hospital
Country Music Hall of Fame member and American
country music singer Ray Price, 87, plans to leave East Texas Medical Center in
Tyler today to go to his home in Mt. Pleasant for home hospice care.
Price was diagnosed in 2011 with pancreatic cancer,
and despite aggressive treatment, the cancer has recently spread to his liver,
intestines and now his lungs. He has been in and out of hospital care for the
past few months and was recently readmitted with complications. Price and his
wife of 45 years, Janie, have decided to not pursue any further aggressive
treatment.
“Ray is alert and aware of his surroundings
and making decisions,” said Janie. “With God’s blessing he has not
had extreme pain. But it’s with great sadness that I announce to you today that
my beloved husband has entered the final stages of his cancer that he has
battled for 25 months. Anyone who knows Ray is aware that he has strong
convictions and great faith in God. It’s his decision to leave the hospital and
return home to spend his final days on his beloved ranch surrounded by the
comfort of his home, family and friends.”
Price wanted to give a
final message to his fans. “I love my fans and have devoted
my life to reaching out to them. I appreciate their support all these years and
I hope I haven’t let them down. I am at peace. I love Jesus. I’m going to be
just fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you again one day.”
Janie thanks the fans for all of their love and
messages and wanted to let the fans know the best way to send them a note is on
their Facebook page or you can mail a card to:
Ray Price, P.O. Box 1986, Mt. Pleasant, TX
75456.
Price performed his last show this year in May. He
has a new CD coming out and several tribute shows were already being planned to
celebrate his career. One is set for Feb. 12 in Nashville.
Please keep Ray in your thoughts
and prayers.
(c) East Texas Medical Center