Australian indie-pop singer-songwriter Greta Rae has given an update on her health, announcing the cancellation of all her remaining 2024 concerts to focus on her recovery from a serious heart infection.
Earlier this month, Rae revealed she was in hospital in London with an undisclosed illness, with the news sparking an outpouring of support from fans around the world. On July 16, she took to Instagram to thank her followers and shed light on her condition.
“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love on my last post, you are all so incredibly kind and it really means the world to me, thank you x,” Ray wrote.
“I wanted to make it clear that thankfully I don't have to go through this experience alone – due to the severity of my condition my family is here in London looking after me, I'm in good hands here in a very good hospital. I just take it day by day. Lots of love.”
On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a serious heart infection.
“I wanted to let you know that the illness I'm recovering from is a rare disease called infective endocarditis – a serious infection in the heart that for me has had many painful effects,” she explained in her Instagram post.
“It happened very suddenly and frighteningly, and as a result, it took a while to diagnose. However, I am so, so lucky that I caught it early and landed in such a wonderful hospital here in London that took amazing care of me. I was then transferred to a second hospital – one renowned for treating this particular disease.”
Ray has confirmed that she will need surgery due to the impact on her heart, but for now, she is focusing on getting her strength back after completing a long course of IV antibiotics and being released from hospital.
“The weight this has taken on my heart means that at some stage I will need to have surgery,” he continued. “At present, it has been a week since I finished a long course of intravenous antibiotics and two weeks since I was discharged from the hospital. Due to the fact that I am stable, the doctors encouraged me to take time to regain some strength and immunity outside the hospital.'
Although still dealing with some complications, Ray expressed relief that she was able to enjoy the world outside the hospital.
“While I'm still dealing with some complications, it's already healed my return to the world… I'm just taking it one day at a time (my mum is also still in London with me x),” she wrote.
All dates are off for the foreseeable future, including her appearance at BIGSOUND 2024.
Ray ended her update by expressing her gratitude for her fans' unwavering support, saying, “I know I'll tell this story in more detail when the time is right, but for now I'm processing the trauma and taking things slow.” .
“I can't tell you how much your kind and thoughtful messages and comments have meant to me during this difficult time, I'm so grateful… sending you all my love from London and we'll talk soon.”
