Ashley Monroe took to Instagram on Tuesday (July 13) to deliver the devastating news that she has been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer.
The Grammy-nominated country singer, who is also part of Pistol Annies with Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley, wrote that she had become anemic and her red blood count kept falling. Her doctor ordered a bone marrow biopsy, which revealed the cancer diagnosis of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia.
Her fellow country artists — including Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, Martina McBride, Lainey Wilson and Tenille Townes — quickly rallied around Monroe, posting words of support and heart emojis on her Instagram.
Monroe starts chemotherapy Wednesday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Seems like such a negative thing to say,” she says of the treatment, “until I flip that doom feeling on its head and think, ‘Wow. I’m thankful I have an illness that is VERY live with-able. I’m thankful there is a treatment that actually works to fight what is causing harm to my body.’” She goes on to thank her 3-year old son, Dalton, and asks for prayers, but adds: “I would greatly appreciate it if no one gave me any unsolicited advice or medical opinions.”
Monroe’s most recent solo album was 2018’s Dave Cobb-produced Sparrow, released by Warner Music Nashville. That same year, Pistol Annies released the critically acclaimed Interstate Gospel, which received a Grammy nomination for best country album.
