From the onlineGlobe and Mail:

9:22 PM EDT Sunday, September 8

Gordon Lightfoot recovering from surgery in hospital

Canadian Press

Hamilton — Shaken band members and family have been standing watch at the bedside of Canadian folk-rock icon Gordon Lightfoot after doctors performed emergency surgery on his stomach Sunday.

Mr. Lightfoot, 63, was to perform in his home town of Orillia, Ont., on Saturday, but experienced stomach pains and was rushed to McMaster University Health Centre in Hamilton by air ambulance.

"This is a difficult time for the whole family," Rick Haynes, a long-time friend of Mr. Lightfoot and member of his band, told a news conference outside the hospital Sunday.

"I've known Gord for 35 years and I can't remember the last time he was in a hospital. So this is a different experience and it's challenging for everyone. We've been up all night."

Mr. Haynes said Mr. Lightfoot was being cared for by doctors who specialize in gastrointestinal problems. But he couldn't elaborate further on the cause of Mr. Lightfoot's illness or give details of the surgery.

Mr. Lightfoot was in the intensive care unit and was conscious, Mr. Haynes said.

"He's definitely getting better. He's not in as much pain as he was in yesterday... We're looking at recovery now."

He credited the likelihood of recovery to Mr. Lightfoot's healthy habits.

"He works out four days a week and he runs 10 miles a week. The doctor told us that his excellent health will help in what we hope will be a speedy recovery," Mr. Haynes said.

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