Stan Walker’s health battle
Idol winner’s fight for life and career laid bare in documentary
Stan Walker’s heartbreakingly honest documentary has revealed the singer had his stomach removed after it was discovered to be cancerous. Walker received the diagnosis after a routine check-up discovered he was in the early stages of the cancer caused by a rare gene that runs in his family.
The Kiwi pop star has been the subject of rumours around his health since the beginning of the year, when his photos on social media showed drastic weight loss.
His doco Stan told how his cancer — caused by the mutant CDH1 gene — has claimed the lives of 25 members of Walker’s family, including his grandfather, who died due to complications with his surgery.
Walker received the same operation as his grandfather.
“He had the gene, he had the cancer, and he died from the operation,” says Walker in the documentary, which aired on Three last night.
“Last night was the first time I got emotional, because, oh my gosh, I’m getting the same operation that my koro did.”
Walker’s surgery successfully removed his stomach, but he continued to battle health difficulties for months, which led to his dramatic weight loss.
He suffered a chest infection and collapsed lung after his operation, and had to have his appendix removed.
Months later, after his first show since his operation, he was admitted to hospital for gallstones.
“I feel like I’m going to suffocate sometimes. I have fevers every night before I go to bed, I wouldn’t wish this on anybody,” Walker says.
“I just have to thank God every day that I’m alive . . . I feel like giving up every day.”
Walker describes his fear of no longer being able to sing — and the elation he felt after his first gig since the surgery earlier this year.
“I felt alive just being on stage for the first time in a long time. I was back being me doing what I do.”