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Taboo of 'Black Eyed Peas' on his cancer battle: We need to listen to our body
By Rebekah Sager
Published December 07, 2016
(Courtesy Taboo)
Black Eyes Peas member Taboo remembers having pain in his lower back on and off for eight years.
Not until it became acute did the Grammy-winning recording artist take himself to the emergency after a show one night. After a series of tests, the 41-year-old hip hop artist and DJ was told by doctors that he had stage 2 testicular cancer.
“It took from 2006 to 2014 to understand that the chronic back pain was actually my tumor growing. Because of all the stuff we get caught up with on a daily basis, you ignore stuff,” Taboo told Fox News Latino.
Taboo was born Jimmy Luis Gomez in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. His family is Mexican-American and Shoshone Indian on his mother's side.
He said he people need to be more attune to their body.
“That’s the message I want to get to people. Listen to your body, because it could be nothing, or it could be something that could change your life forever,” Taboo said.
He was diagnosed in June of 2014, and the day after his diagnosis Taboo had surgery to remove his right testicle – the “mothership,” as his doctors called it.
The cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and doctors moved quickly as they were worried it could spread further
Following surgery, he underwent a 12-week regimen of aggressive chemotherapy.
“It’s like war, torture and a nightmare, all in one,” he said on the TV show The Doctors.
“One of the pinnacle moments [during treatment] was when I told my wife, I don’t want to do this anymore. She said, ‘Why don’t you try mediation,’” Taboo said.
He told FNL he started watching ESPN, and saw sportscaster Stewart Scott talking about his fight with cancer.
“He was speaking to me at this point. Then it was “30 for 30” the Jimmy Valvano story. And then it was Jim Kelly and his experience with cancer. I started feeling a connection with these sports figures,” Taboo said.
The multi-Grammy Award winning artist, author, and founder of the Black Eyed Peas says he chose to keep his diagnosis and treatment quiet until he could make a triumphant return for his fans. He said he needed time to rest and really understand what he’d been through.
While fighting through the pain and anguish of his treatment, the musician did what musicians do; he wrote a song chronicling his cancer battle. The single is titled “Fight” and it’s meant to honor his survival.
Taboo partnered with the American Cancer Society (ACS), proceeds from each download of his new song will be used by ACS to support cancer research, prevention and early detection efforts, and patient service programs. The ACS has named him a Global Ambassador.
“It’s great that I have the opportunity to help people,” he said. “People should know that this can happen to anybody. No matter age or race, cancer has no prejudice."
Taboo said his partnership with ACS will last a long time. He said it is something he he will be dedicated to for the rest of his life.
“It’s my calling," he said. "Some people get into different charities or non-profits, but I’ve lived this cancer thing and fought this and I’m 100 percent committed to finding a cure."
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/taboo-of-black-eyed-peas-on-his-cancer-battle-we-need-to-listen-to-our-body