matthewgrant said:

uh huh....

I actually know one of her sons... great guy, but we never, ever discuss his mom, he's very protective over her, and I don't even think I could send get well wishes. . I do hope she will be okay. Her kids love her to the moon and back.

A source said that a family member told them yesterday, "Pray for Aretha".

Apparently she will appear at her Thanksgiving Concert, but not sing.

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Aretha Franklin's annual free gospel concert will happen as planned even though doctors have ordered the Queen of Soul to take it easy until May. Franklin was released Saturday from Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit after treatment for an undisclosed illness. "She is up and about and doing real good but not well enough to perform right now," said her longtime friend, Fannie Tyler of Detroit. Franklin is expected to be present at the event later this month. Franklin began offering a free gospel concert and feast to Detroiters seven years ago -- kind of a pre-holiday gift to the city. Sometimes she performs or joins others performing, but usually other artists are the focus of the gathering. This year, "Aretha's Thanksgiving Gospel Fest" will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 25 at the church she grew up in, New Bethel Baptist Church at 8430 C.L. Franklin Blvd. in Detroit. A portion of Linwood Boulevard was renamed in honor of her late father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin, who was pastor at New Bethel for many years. Among those scheduled to perform are Dorinda Clark-Cole of the Grammy Award-winning Clark Sisters, Esther Smith, Paul Porter of the Christianaires, Spencer Taylor and the Highway QCs, Slim and the Morning Echoes and the Mighty Voices of Wonder. The program will be emceed by Norman Jean Pender, best known as Reverend Mother of Reverend Mother's Gospel Connection radio program on WEXL-AM (1340). After the concert, a free and complete Thanksgiving dinner will be offered, including turkey, dressing, fried chicken, pinto beans and Aretha's Mighty Baked Hams. Franklin, who enjoys cooking, might prepare the hams herself, Tyler said.

Read more: Aretha Franklin's gospel concert to go on | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/arti...z14bTEMDTZ

We can't speculate the cancelations are due to her weight issues. Assuming that is too premature. She may have something serious if shows need to be canceled like that. Whatever it is, i really do hope she's okay and will focus on her health. We've lost enough legends

How can she be seriously ill and "up and about" at the same time? I guess that's their way of protecting the media from discussing what's going on with Aretha. And folks are saying "pray for Aretha". That's not good signs. I dread to see what happens when she shows up at the holiday dinner.

MyLuv229 said:

We can't speculate the cancelations are due to her weight issues. Assuming that is too premature. She may have something serious if shows need to be canceled like that. Whatever it is, i really do hope she's okay and will focus on her health. We've lost enough legends

Yeah I doubt it's weight issues, she could have something else major going on with her that we don't know about (and Aretha tries not to let folks know what is going on with her, she has too many skeletons in her closet).

Update: Aretha called JET to update on her health day after release from hospital, says she's "not feeling 100 percent, but I'm not feeble or senile."

Full story here:

Franklin Performances Off Until May

BY CLARENCE WALDRON

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin called JET from her suburban Detroit home to share an update on her health.

The day before her call, Franklin had issued a press statement explaining that she was released from Sinai Grace Hospital after a brief stay. The Grammy Award-winning icon was admitted to the hospital at the recommendation of her doctors, according to the statement.

She said her doctors have asked her not to travel and to cancel all concert engagements until May.

"I am doing OK", she told JET during the exclusive interview. "I am getting the best of care. I have a superb team of doctors. I also have a Greater Authority. He is the docotr of doctors and I am standing on His promises."

Franklin sounded upbeat and relaxed. "I'm not feeling 100 percent, but I'm not feeble or senile", she laughed. "You can print that."

She noted that doctors are running more tests to determine what her ailment is.

Franklin, who grew up in the church where her father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin, was pastor, says she has been in constant prayer. She prayed with her friends, including Chicago pastor Rev. Donald Parson and gospel singers Karen Clark Sheard and Bishop Paul Morton. "I know they can pray; they can sure 'nuf go to the Lord in prayer."

As she continues to recuperate, talks are underway to possibly release her long-awaited CD, which features a duet with Ronald Isley, in February, she said.

Before hanging up, she assured JET: "I feel pretty good. My doctors and I are on it. God is good."

I wish her well.

Lammastide said:

I wish her well.

scared to open this up.

Whatever Ms. Franklin's health concerns are, I hope and pray for a full recovery.