Dolly Parton is currently dealing with some health issues. The 79-year-old had to step away from the spotlight at the end of September.
Her sister is asking for prayers.
This latest update from someone with knowledge of the situation seems to contradict the initial reports about the status of the legendary country music artist. It seems more grim than we first thought.
UPDATE: Frieda Parton has since provided additional clarity on her initial post—
“I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly. She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”
UPDATE: Dolly Parton posted the following video —
Dolly Parton needs your prayers!
Parton, who will turn 80 years old in January, announced her decision to postpone her upcoming Las Vegas concerts at the end of September. She cited “health challenges” that required a “few procedures” but seemed to be in good spirits.
“As I joked with [my doctors], it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon! In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”
Parton also said that this was not going to slow her down.
“And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.”
No further information was provided about what is going on. We did not receive word on the seriousness of this matter but Parton seemed confident in her ability to fight whatever it might be.
Meanwhile, rumors started to circle on the streets of Nashville. The general assumption was that she is going to be just fine. A lot of people alluded to kidney stones. Others said it just has to do with getting old.
Everyone thought it was not that big of a deal. Parton’s message seemed to paint a similar picture.
Her sister seems worried about the health issues.
Unfortunately, it sounds like Dolly Parton’s sister, Frieda, is more concerned about her health than the general public. I don’t know how close they are today, nor do I know whether Frieda would know what exactly is going on with Dolly.
However, she posted the following update to Facebook:
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me. She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”
That sounds pretty serious to me. Maybe I am reading too far into this. Perhaps this is a classic situation where an older person is posting on Facebook with an update that reads differently than intended.
We can hope that is the case but we obviously don’t know.
The message Dolly Parton posted at the end of last month gave me great hope for a quick and full recovery from her health challenges. The things I heard from people in the business gave me an equally as positive outlook.
And then this. Freida’s post admittedly makes me worry. Maybe it is much ado about nothing but the queen needs our prayers!