Hopeful, Honest, and ‘Team Tired’ — Leaning on Family
- Lady A singer Charles Kelley, 45, who disclosed his multiple myeloma diagnosis in September, shared a candid treatment update on Instagram with his wife, Cassie Kelley, just after celebrating four years of sobriety.
- The seven-time Grammy winner says his chemotherapy “is working really well,” but admits he “naively thought” he wouldn’t be in so much pain. “In sobriety it’s all about one day at a time, and that we’re not in control, so that’s the way we’re looking at it,” he said, adding that being open about his cancer “is so freeing.”
- Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow. It is most often diagnosed in people over 65, and common symptoms include bone pain, fatigue, frequent infections, and kidney problems.
- While multiple myeloma is generally not considered curable, it is highly treatable, and many patients now live for years with the disease.
The Lady A singer, 45, who disclosed his multiple myeloma diagnosis in September, shared a candid update on Instagram Stories on Monday, October 26, alongside his wife, Cassie Kelley. The diagnosis came just two months after he celebrated four years of sobriety in July.
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‘The Treatment Is Working Really Well’
Charles was honest about how hard chemotherapy has been so far.
“I’ve had a few people ask me how things are going, and we are team tired over here,” he said. “It’s been good. The good thing is the treatment is working really well, but I will say I naively thought I would not be in so much pain.”
“It’s kind of constantly achey and really tired, but I do have my good days and my bad days,” he continued. “It’s a trip, man. It’s a trip. But we’re getting through it.”
Charles said he hopes the pain will ease as treatment continues. “I’m hoping that as the chemo gets in there and fights off these cancer cells that my bones and everything will actually feel a lot better over the next few weeks,” he said. “But it ain’t no joke, man. It’s real.”
Still, the singer said he’s staying positive, and that being open about his health, just as he has been about his recovery, has helped. (Charles has long been candid about his recovery. “My best filter is just…not drinking,” he wrote in August alongside the above photo with his wife.)
The Role of Patient Education in Improving Multiple Myeloma Treatment Outcomes
“I feel really hopeful. In the same spirit of the way we’ve shared a lot of my sobriety journey, just getting this stuff off your chest is so freeing and it takes the power away from it a little bit,” Charles said. “We wanted to let you all know what was going on, and we’re gonna get through it.”
“Patient education is paramount to ensuring that our products get to the right patient at the right time, and for me, it’s all about empowering the patient with education,” June Lanoue, president of U.S. hematology at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, tells SurvivorNet.
‘Your Best Is Always Good Enough’
Cassie, who has been married to Charles since 2009, was just as candid about how the family is coping. The couple are parents to sons Ward, 10, and Archer, 13 months.
“When people ask, ‘How are you doing?’ Honestly, the answer’s not great. We are not doing great over here,” she said. “But we’re doing our best and one of my favorite sayings in Al-Anon is, ‘Your best is always good enough.’”
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“Today was not great but tomorrow is treatment four and I will find things to be grateful for tomorrow for sure,” she added.
Lady A’s “This Winter’s Night Tour” 2026 is scheduled to open November 23 in Nashville. It’s not yet clear whether Charles will perform.
Understanding Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow that normally makes antibodies to fight infection. When these cells become cancerous, they multiply and crowd out healthy blood cells. They can also damage bones.
That’s why bone pain, often in the back, hips, or ribs, is one of the most common symptoms. Others include fatigue, frequent infections, kidney problems, and unexplained weight loss.
The Multiple Phases of Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is most often diagnosed in people over 65, so Charles’s diagnosis at 45 is younger than typical. The American Cancer Society estimates about 36,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
While multiple myeloma is generally not considered curable, it is highly treatable. Treatment often combines several types of drugs, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and steroids. Some patients also have a stem cell transplant. Thanks to advances in treatment over the past two decades, many people now live for years with the disease.
“We usually refer to the CRAB criteria when diagnosing multiple myeloma,” Dr. Matthew Ulrickson of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, Arizona, previously told SurvivorNet.
- C for high calcium
- R for renal failure (kidney failure)
- A for anemia (a low red blood cell count)
- B for bone lesions, which can cause pain and lead to fractures
Doctors look for these signs, along with blood, urine, and bone marrow tests, to diagnose multiple myeloma. A person’s health and multiple myeloma classification will shape the treatment path doctors recommend.
Leaning on Support During Treatment
Charles and Cassie Kelley’s approach reflects something many cancer patients learn: Focusing on the day in front of you can make an overwhelming diagnosis feel more manageable. Support groups, counseling, and open conversations with loved ones can all help patients and caregivers cope with the emotional weight of treatment.
In an Instagram post on Oct. 19, Charles said he and his “biggest supporter and rock,” Cassie, have “been through all the emotions these past few weeks as we’ve navigated our new normal.”
He acknowledged that the weeks and months ahead will be “as mentally taxing” as it will be physically, ending on a hopeful note while addressing his wife: “I couldn’t get through it without you, my love!”
Like Charles, many people with multiple myeloma find that being open about their diagnosis makes it easier to carry.
Multiple myeloma treatment has come a long way, and many patients now live for years with the disease. If you’ve been diagnosed or have concerning symptoms, these questions can help guide your next conversation with your doctor.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What symptoms should I watch for that could signal multiple myeloma?
- What treatment options are best for my type and stage of myeloma?
- Am I a candidate for a stem cell transplant?
- How can we manage bone pain and fatigue during treatment?
- What support resources are available for me and my family?
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