POISON drummer Rikki Rockett says that he is still cancer free, nearly seven years after he was diagnosed with oral cancer.
Rockett offered an update on his health status via his social media on Thursday (May 19).
He shared a photo of him in front of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, and he included the following message:
“I love being negative! Time to do a tour!!! #nocancer #moorescancercenter”.
During his last birthday Rikki Rockett released a detailed statement for his fans.
He said:
“I woke up this morning not feeling any different than yesterday morning, but, one key thing was different… I hit… THAT age! ‘That age’ is what has been officially called, ‘Old Age’. Or is it official?
See, I haven’t noticed getting older. Not really. It’s a slow process, but suddenly, bam! You are at ‘THAT age!’ I felt this at 50. I was at Sturgis, Def Leppard was playing and I said to Phil Collen, ‘Wow, I’m hitting 50 tomorrow!’ He said, ‘It’s good! In fact, it’s great!’ I didn’t feel any different the next morning that day either. Age is a sneaky one.
My body has endured some stuff. I mean, really! I take care of myself, but there is collateral damage from beating cancer. Key word here, ‘beat.’ I’m proud of that. I am here for my family and of course, my fans.
Living for me these days isn’t all about recreating the glory days of Poison. Poison is just fine and we do a bang up job when we play. I think that’s true because we aren’t trying to recreate our glory days, we are just playing the songs that we wrote at a time when people were hungry for it. We still kick a*s…. for now. We will know when we don’t and so will you.
Back to me and getting older… Yesterday, I called my 12 year old son and 8 year old daughter. I rode my motorcycle to a Jiu Jitsu class, rolled with a guy half my age and came home and… ok, I napped. However, I can do it. Sure, things aren’t the same. There are a couple of pills that I have to take everyday now. I do get tired in the afternoon. (I get up early too!) My neck is more fragile from radiation 6 years ago and I have to be more careful about getting choked out. When I play drums with intensity (I don’t really know another way), I get sore. I can’t pull off the same clothes. I can’t pretend that I’m a hipster. I need regular check ups and the biggest one is this… I should have been a grandad by now! I started late and sometimes I think it has motivated me to stay young. (Or think that way)
Am I really old? Maybe not quite yet. According to population experts at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIAS) in Austria and Stony Brook University in New York. 60 — even 65 (or, maybe more) — can be considered “middle-aged”. I want to believe them! Don’t you?
I know some people will say old man jokes to me today. Some will tell me that I’m really not old at all. (Usually because they are close to my age). At any rate, yeah, birthdays do beat the alternative. I have two incredible kids and an amazing partner in life who adores them like I do. (Ok, Daddy doesn’t really have any competition! LOL!)
I’ll keep this journey going as long as I can. I want as many of you with me along for the ride as possible. So, stay healthy. Listen to Rock ’N’ Roll. Have sex and realize that the drugs are behind you. We will all be fine.
Happy Birthday to me!”