Epic Performance- Country Singer Toby Keith, 62, Refills ‘Red Solo Cup’ With Raucous Live Return After Years on the Sidelines

“What a great evening, and welcome back! Enjoyed so much,” Instagram user Debbie Smith Malekow commented.

“He put on such a great show last night. So glad that he is feeling back up to it. I’m feeling so fortunate to have been one of the people who got to attend,” Instagram user Jeannette Jones said.

Keith performed for roughly two hours during the show at the Park MGM venue.

Since this past summer, the “Red Solo Cup” singer has hinted at a Fall return after scans and tests evaluating his cancer treatment suggested his tumor was shrinking. Keith is also still riding the wave of receiving the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards in September.

Keith’s Journey Back to the Stage

Keith has been battling stomach cancer since 2021. According to the National Cancer Institute, stomach or gastric cancer begins in the cells lining the stomach.

After his diagnosis, he stepped away from the big stage to focus on his health. After nearly two years of battling the disease, the “American Soldier” singer revealed earlier this summer that he’s “feeling pretty good” in an interview with The Oklahoman.

“I’m about another eight weeks from my last scan. So, I expect next time I look for that tumor to be even less, and I’ve only got one that’s shown up,” Keith said.

“Basically, everything is in a real positive trend. You never know with cancer, so you have to prepare,” the country singer continued.

While we don’t know Keith’s exact prognosis at this time, if his tumor continued shrinking since his scans during the summer, he could be nearing the end of this phase of his cancer journey.

His treatment has involved chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy involves cancer-killing drugs given to patients orally or intravenously. Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment method that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. We do not know what kind of chemo or immunotherapy he is undergoing for treatment at this time.

Based on Keith’s comments and recent pop-up performances, the “Beer for My Horses” singer appears to be managing his treatments well. Side effects from chemotherapy and immunotherapy may include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

 

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“The side effects of immunotherapy are not, quote, forever,” medical oncologist Dr. Anna Pavlick tells SurvivorNet.

“Depending upon the severity depends upon how we manage it. Some patients will get diarrhea, and we can give them treatments to calm down their diarrhea, and it lasts a couple of days,” Dr. Pavlick continued.

Although the spunk in Keith’s personality and his singing abilities haven’t been majorly impacted as of late, he has lost some weight since his diagnosis. Body changes can be another side effect of cancer.

Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin shares with SurvivorNet some tips cancer patients can explore to help manage the emotional toll body changes can have during treatment.

WATCH: Dealing with body image during cancer treatment.

She says cancer warriors should learn to take ownership of the part (or parts) of their body most impacted by cancer treatment. She adds although they may represent “fear and pain,” they also represent “strength and courage.”

“Research has found that when looking in the mirror, we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with, which causes us to have a negative self-view and lower self-esteem. Therefore, I would like for you to first spend time gazing at the parts of your body you love, give them time, honor them, and then thank them,” Dr. Strongin said.

Dr. Strongin then suggests looking at the part or parts of your body impacted by the cancer or cancer treatment. She recommends creating a regular practice of accepting your body image because it helps you accept your cancer journey emotionally and physically.

“As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body. It may not happen immediately, but with time, you can begin honoring and thanking your new body.”

Vegas Show Is a Memorable Milestone for Keith

For cancer patients and their families, reaching life’s milestones is a major accomplishment worth commemorating. For Keith, this includes returning to performing live for the first time after sitting on the sidelines for years.

Milestones don’t have to be a major award; they can be the birth of a child or grandchild, getting married, traveling on a dream vacation, reaching another birthday, or something that means a lot to you. Most importantly, these milestones during or after a cancer battle tend to have a more significant meaning because, often, cancer patients gain a greater sense of gratitude toward their lives.

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