Lady A's Charles Kelley Says He's 'Overwhelmed' By The Response To His 'Rare' Cancer Diagnosis

Charles Kelley said he's "overwhelmed" by the responses he received after announcing he'd been diagnosed with a "rare" type of cancer on Tuesday (September 29).

Kelley, 45, and his wife Cassie Kelley, 43, sat beside one another in a clip shared on Instagram as the singer-songwriter opened up about his cancer. The Lady A artist explained that he'd had "a couple random rib fractures," which led to "several different blood tests." That's how he found out he had "a blood cancer in there called multiple myeloma, and it's rare," he said. Kelley said he's young, healthy and the treatments have "come so far," so "I feel really hopeful" moving forward.

"I'm overwhelmed by the support," Kelley said o his Instagram story after sharing the announcement. "It's weird. It still feels like it's kind of a dream. I haven't started the treatments or anything yet. But, you know, other than kind of healing up from this little rib fracture and just a little bit of body soreness, I feel like myself. …Again, I just feel like there's gotta be purpose to everything. I really started feeling that way through my sobriety journey, and I'm just hopeful, man."

Kelley said he feels hopeful looking ahead to the next right thing, and following his doctor's orders as he undergoes treatment.

"I had my moments of sadness that first week we found out… Mind, body, soul, faith, there's a reason for it all," he said. "Sometimes these things that feel like a curse can be blessings in disguise. …I'm overwhelmed with emotion, love and support."

Kelley shared on a later slide on his Instagram story that many people have reached out to tell him that they or someone they know are also going through cancer journeys, and they're "still rocking and rolling," even through the "different seasons" of it. Kelley thanked people for the examples and the support.

Some of the artists who offered support to Kelley include his Lady A bandmates, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood. Scott wrote in a comment that Kelley and his wife are "the strongest duo right there! Love y'all so much! You've got this! ❤️" Haywood said he's "covering you in prayer brother. Love y'all. We're all here for you!" See the announcement below.