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Haggard denies health rumors, says he doesn't have cancer
| Monday, Aug 11 2008 6:11 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday, Aug 12 2008 10:38 AM
Merle Haggard is not seeking further treatment for a spot on his lung discovered in the spring.
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Merle Haggard played a sold-out show at the Fox Theater in February.
The spot is not malignant, but doctors don’t know what it is, the Oildale-raised country star said by phone Monday on a break from an East Coast and Canadian tour.
Haggard addressed rumors about his health after discussing the death of good friend Chester Smith, a San Joaquin Valley broadcaster and country-western singer. Smith died Friday in Palo Alto and, in Haggard’s opinion, did not receive proper care in his final days at a hospital.
Doctors discovered Haggard’s lung problem May 5.
“Of course, everyone wanted me at the Mayo Clinic,” Haggard said. “I said, ‘Well, I’m not gonna do anything.’”
Two months later, the spot hadn’t changed.
“Whatever it was, it’s still there, still the same size,” he added.
He said he’s never suffered from emphysema or asthma.
“There’s nothing in my blood,” he said. “All my tests are negative.”
Haggard added half-jokingly he’s not too keen on the reputations of hospitals these days.