Composer Ralph Siegel goes through difficult times. His musical "'N bit of peace" flopped. But even worse: the 77-year-old is battling cancer again. The outcome of the fight is currently uncertain.
Ralph Siegel just won't leave prostate cancer alone. As early as 2007, the composer therefore had to have an operation for six and a half hours. But only with limited success: only three years later, the cancer returned and forced him to undergo radiation therapy for weeks.
At the end of October, the now 77-year-old made it public that he was once again struggling with prostate cancer. "Now I've got the rubbish again," he laconically told the "Bild am Sonntag" (BamS). But the situation is quite dramatic. So this time the cancer has spread. Metastases were discovered in Siegel's left shoulder.
Siegel is now undergoing radiation therapy again. He is said to have lost around 25 kilos. Not only does his shoulder hurt, he also has pain because of a triple herniated disc and the neuropathic disease polyneuropathy in his feet, said Siegel of the BamS.
The composer once again commented on his current state of health to the "Schlager.de" portal. "I'm not doing so well," he openly admits in the interview. After "16 or 17 radiation treatments" he has to contend with "severe side effects". Siegel also speaks again about the pain he already mentioned in the BamS interview: "It's really bad in the morning. I can hardly get out of bed. Then there's my broken intervertebral disc. And the nervous disease in my feet."
In addition, there is the nagging uncertainty as to whether the therapy will work for him, Siegel makes clear. Because no prognosis is possible at the moment. "On December 20, the doctors told me if I made it," said Siegel. "A major examination is still required on December 15. That's bad," he continues, adding: "I hope that the doctors will have a nice Christmas present for me."
Siegel has a family history of cancer. His father died of prostate cancer at the age of 61. The fact that his brothers were all over 90 years old gives Siegel hope.
In addition to the health setbacks, Siegel has to cope with another disappointment these days. The musical composed by him "'N bit of peace - Rock'n'Roll Summer", which only started in Duisburg in mid-October, is already history again. Due to sluggish ticket sales, all other events were completely canceled.
