Another hit musician has cancelled upcoming tour dates to focus on his health.
This time it's Elvis Costello, the innovative English singer-songwriter who has built a devoted group of fans since the 1970s.
In a post on his website, Costello announced he would be cancelling upcoming shows as he recuperates from cancer surgery.
"My specialist called me and said, 'You should start playing the lotto.'"
Costello revealed to fans that he has already received treatment for a "small but very aggressive" tumor.
While he didn't reveal the type of cancer, Costello hinted in his message that it may be a male-specific form of the disease.
The musician says that he planned to keep performing after the surgery, but realized he just can't.
"The spirit has been more than willing but I have to now accept that it is going to take longer than I would have wished for me to recover my full strength," Costello wrote.
"Therefore, I must reluctantly cancel all the remaining engagements of this tour."
While doctors recommend just three to four weeks of rest, Costello said it was "impossible to judge how this advisory would line up with the demands on a travelling musician, playing 90-minute to two-hour plus performances on a nightly basis."
"I would rather disappoint our friends there by not appearing than in pressing on with a show that is compromised and eventually puts my health at risk."
Despite the fact that Costello is receiving treatment, his doctors warned that his condition was very serious, and he may need more surgeries.
"Six weeks ago my specialist called me and said, 'You should start playing the lotto,'" Costello revealed.
"He had rarely, if ever, seen such a small but very aggressive cancerous malignancy that could be defeated by a single surgery."
"Act as swiftly as you may in these matters. It may save your life."
Along with the update about his European tour, Costello shared a warning with fans to look after their own health.
"Seek your doctor's advice if you are in doubt or when it is timely, and act as swiftly as you may in these matters," he urged.
"It may save your life. Believe me, it is better than playing roulette."
But the musician's update was not all doom and gloom. He also teased that he's releasing a new record later this year.
"The Imposters and I "“ together with several of our other friends "“ have made a magnificent new record of which we are truly proud. It will be issued in October, I believe."
Costello promises that the show will go on, but says he's putting his health before any planned appearances.
"We will return at the soonest opportunity to play that music and your favorite songs that still make sense to us all."
The cancelled concerts include upcoming dates in the UK, Croatia, Austria, Norway, and Sweden.
We're all praying that Costello makes a full recovery!