Monday, 25th August 2014
Pic by LeeAnna Jonas
Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell celebrates his 52nd birthday today in Cleveland, OH where the band play tomorrow with KISS.
Vivian joined the band in February 1992 following auditions at Mates Studios in Burbank, CA. This year marked 22 years since he joined the band and was publicly unveiled at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in London.
Vivian was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in March 2013 but has continued to perform with the band throughout 2013 and now 2014.
Vivian gave an insight into his current treatment in June and followed that up with a further update in July.
Daily Herald - Vivian Campbell June 2014 Interview Quotes
Health
"I did another surgical biopsy and that showed that the cancer had definitely come back. I'm actually doing this new high-tech chemo treatment, I'm about halfway through it already, and it's really kind of easy going. It's the first new drug that's been discovered for Hodgkin's since 1977 and they made this discovery in 2011, and it's actually being pioneered here at City of Hope, so I'm part of this research clinical trial that's going on. It's very, very benign chemo, actually it just targets -- I don't know how it works, obviously I'm not a medical person, but somehow or other it just manages to target the cancer cells. It's not like old-school, carpet-bomb chemo where it kills all the fast-growing cells, so I haven't experienced any hair loss or any issues with my skin or nails or anything this time around, which is good."
Vivian Campbell - 31st July facebook Quotes
"For those of you that give a toss, here's the latest and greatest on my cancer situation. I'm currently in Boston and I did a scan on Tuesday morning. The scan shows that the cancer is in remission. "
"Great news, but I'm trying not to get too excited about it as I heard that same phrase late last year only to be disappointed again a few months after when it returned. The plan is to do a stem cell transplant as soon as the tour is finished. However, to keep me in remission my doctors have recommended that I do another, 3rd, round of the chemo (I.C.E.), so I'm back in hospital, all hooked up and doing my rock n' roll drugs. Keef would be most proud!"
- Wish Vivian a Happy Birthday at - facebook.com/officialviviancampbell
- Def Leppard - Vivian Campbell Section
- Related News - 1st August 2014