Defying the predictions of his doctors, Robin Gibb, the Bee Gees singer, has emerged from a coma after more than a week, but he remains in intensive care and is battling advanced colorectal cancer, his physician said on Sunday.
In a statement, Dr. Andrew Thillainayagam said Mr. Gibb, 62, had caught pneumonia and lapsed into the coma last week after he was weakened by two surgeries and chemotherapy to combat tumors, The Associated Press and the BBC reported. Dr. Thillainayagam, a gastroenterologist, said Mr. Gibb was lucid and able to speak on Sunday, though he was being fed intravenously and was breathing with the help of an oxygen mask. He remains “exhausted, extremely weak and malnourished,” the doctor said.
“Only three days ago I warned Robin’s wife, Dwina; son, Robin John; and brother, Barry, that I feared the worst,” Dr. Thillainayagam said. “We felt it was very likely that Robin would succumb to what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles to any form of meaningful recovery. As a team, we were all concerned that we might be approaching the realms of futility.”
Mr. Gibb had chosen to treat his cancer with aggressive chemotherapy and had undergone two emergency operations within two months, Rolling Stone reported. Last week he developed brain swelling as a consequence of his failing liver, as well as pneumonia, and then lost consciousness. According to the BBC, his family kept a bedside vigil, playing his favorite music. His brother Barry Gibb sang to him in an effort to rouse him.
“It is testament to Robin’s extraordinary courage, iron will and deep reserves of physical strength that he has overcome quite incredible odds to get where he is now,” Dr. Thillainayagam said.
Mr. Gibb had been ill for several months and cancelled several public appearances. He was too sick to attend last week’s premiere of his latest work, “The Titanic Requiem,” a classical piece composed with his son to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that ship’s sinking. He last performed onstage at the London Palladium in February at a charity concert for injured soldiers.
The BBC reported that cancer was discovered in his colon and liver when he had bowel surgery for an unrelated illness 18 months ago.
Mr. Gibb formed the Bee Gees with his brothers Barry and Maurice in 1958 in Brisbane, Australia, and they went on to become major stars in the disco era and one of biggest-selling groups of all time, with hits like “Stayin’ Alive” and “How Deep Is Your Love.” Maurice Gibb, who was Robin Gibb’s twin brother, died in 2003 at 53 from complications of a twisted intestine.
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