Foreigner Keyboardist Michael Bluestein Diagnosed With Cancer

Michael Bluestein, the keyboardist for Foreigner, has been forced to take an indefinite leave from the group after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

While the band made no official statement on its site, via Twitter or Facebook, Bluestein posted on the band's message board Tuesday (May 29) with the news.

"I recently went to the hospital following some symptoms, and it was discovered that I have Colorectal cancer," Bluestein said. "This has required me to take a leave of absence from the band for a significant period. The good news is that I caught this early enough so that through chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, I will be able to treat this and return to normal life after it's over. And of course normal life for me includes rocking with Foreigner!!"

Bluestein continued by thanking fans for all their well wishes and support as he focuses on his health. Meanwhile fans can keep track of Bluestein's situation through his own Tumblr site which he hopes to update regularly or on a weekly basis to "keep everyone in the loop."

"I have a tumor in me," Bluestein wrote in a Tumblr post entitled "Oh the Irony." "But I feel fucking great."

The post says he won't begin chemotherapy or radiation for another week. He'll apparently have treatments five days a week for 28 sessions.

This isn't the only health scare the band has had recently. Band leader Mick Jones had heart surgery in February.

Bluestein joined Foreigner in 2008 but has also performed and recorded with Shelby Lynne, Boz Scaggs and Enrique Iglesias over the years. Foreigner, who have not named a replacement for Bluestein yet, are slated to begin a lengthy summer tour June 8 in North Carolina.

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