Singer-songwriter Paul Cauthen confirmed he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after abruptly canceling his tour.
“I have had a lot of time to reflect and realize that life is short and precious,” Cauthen, 39, said in an emotional statement shared via Instagram on Friday, March 14.
The country music star’s representatives originally announced on February 6 that Cauthen was “leaving the road” immediately in order to prioritize his “mental and physical health.” Cauthen remained silent on social media for over a month before releasing a video detailing his recent health problems.
“I know I’ve kind of been blacked out, you know, not really present online. Just know that it’s been for the right reasons,” he insisted.
The Sons of Fathers member opened up about the lengthy process of receiving a cancer diagnosis, revealing he had first battled pneumonia for weeks. Cauthen recalled “taking a bunch of steroids” to try to get through his tour, but woke up one night to find he was “blue in [his] lips and white in [his] face.”
“It scared the hell out of me,” he admitted.
At that point, Cauthen canceled the remaining dates on his Black on Black tour so he could undergo a full battery of medical tests back home in Texas.
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“I kinda shook myself, you know, and listened to myself for the first time in a long time,” Cauthen said.
A few weeks after getting off the road, Cauthen had “a bunch of scans done” at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, where he was initially told most of his tests came back “clear.” Doctors found “one little hot spot” that needed further examination, but upon review, they discovered a mass in his thyroid.
“They told me that it is papillary carcinoma and that it’s cancer,” Cauthen confirmed. “Looking back at it all, slowing down and taking some time to get healthy and getting off the road, actually probably ended up saving my life.”
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He went on: “I have had a lot of time to reflect and realize that life is short and precious. Just know that I thank you so much for unwavering support through it all.”
Cauthen vowed that he will “tour again” and “sing on stage again,” adding: “I’m not done, by any means. I’ll have new music.”
“I’ll keep on writing and keep on doing what I know I need to do,” he promised. “I know that I’m a vessel on stage and that God has me here for a reason.”
Paul’s wife, Elizabeth Cauthen, shared a photo of the couple kissing via Instagram on Friday, March 14 in the wake of his public diagnosis confirmation, along with an empowering message: “There ain’t nothing we can’t beat as long as we’ve got each other.”
The singer also received an outpouring of support from the country music community, including “Pay Gap” artist Margo Price who wrote via Instagram: “Sending you all the love and prayers. Love you so much brother Paul.”
Elle King also offered supportive words: “We love you Paul.”
The “Cocaine Country Dancing” musician was only five shows into his Black On Black Tour when his spokesperson confirmed he was stepping away from the stage in February.
“We all love Paul very much and we are very happy and relieved that he has made this decision to put himself first,” his representatives said at the time. “It is obviously necessary to cancel all of his shows for the foreseeable future and each venue will be able to provide information on cancellations and refunds. Join us in lifting up Paul and anyone near you that may be suffering.”
