Bruce Springsteen’s wife and E Street band member, Patti Scialfa, shared some sad news in a new documentary  “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,” which debuted on September 8 at the Toronto Film Festival.

Variety reported that she revealed she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a blood cancer) in 2018. The documentary provides a closer look at Springsteen and the band. Patti describes how the cancer makes it challenging to perform and she has had to slow down on touring with the band.

“This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go,” Patti  ( 71) said. “Every once in a while, I come to a show or two, and I can sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.”

Variety reported Patti was not in attendance for the documentary debut. Her current state of health is unclear.

Bruce Springsteen has been married to Patti Scialfa since 1991. Patti is a musician and a member of Bruce’s E Street Band, where she sings and plays guitar. They met in the 1980s when Scialfa joined the band, and over time, their relationship developed. Patti Scialfa had a successful career in music both as a solo artist and with the E Street Band. The couple shares a deep connection, both personally and musically, as they have performed together on many tours and albums. They have three children.

According to The Mayo Clinic, “Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies find and attack germs.”

“”In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft matter inside bones where blood cells are made. In the bone marrow, the cancer cells crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than make helpful antibodies, the cancer cells make proteins that don’t work right. This leads to complications of multiple myeloma.”

Symptoms include:

• Bone pain, especially in the spine, chest or hips.
• Nausea.
• Constipation.
• Loss of appetite.
• Mental fogginess or confusion.
• Tiredness.
• Infections.
• Weight loss.
• Weakness.
• Thirst.
• Needing to urinate often.

 

The risk factors include older age, more males develop the cancer, Black people are more frequently diagnosed than other races, family history, and having monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.

Springsteen faced health issues in 2023 when he postponed his tour after being diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease. Earlier this year, he rescheduled several shows under “doctor’s direction” as he continued to suffer from vocal issues. His latest world tour is documented in “Road Diary.” This film shows a behind-the-scenes look at the tour’s planning. Despite being 74, Springsteen emphasized at the film’s premiere that he has no plans to retire.