Singer Kelis' husband and father of her two children, Mika Mora, has revealed he's battling stage four stomach cancer.
The 36-year-old said his symptoms started last year with the "worst pain" in his stomach and admits he saw the doctor "just in time".
Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "Loss of appetite. Pain in my back also started to creep in," adding that the pain made him "finally decide to do something about it".
The real estate agent said doctors soon diagnosed him with the most advanced form of stomach cancer.
"I thought the whole time that I just had an ulcer. With no idea what was about to come my way," he continued in his post. "Here I was, in a hospital bed, during the middle of the pandemic. All alone."
I Hate You So Much Right Now singer Kelis had given birth to the couple's daughter, Galilee, just a fortnight before her husband's diagnosis.
She also has a son, Shepherd, 5, with Mike and son Knight, 12, who she shares with rap legend Nas.
"I want to be able to help those that might be experiencing something like this — a life-altering disease full of questions and doubt — maybe, hopefully. By showing that it's possible to make it through," said Mike.
"You always see people post about how life is too short. How you should reach out to those you love no matter where life has taken you. It is the truth. Don't take your time here, your time with friends, family, for granted. S— can be over just like that!
"I never thought this could happen to me," he confessed.
"At just 36, with 3 kiddos, and a wife that loves me. I want to be able to help those that might experience something, maybe, hopefully.
"By showing that it's possible to make it through."
On Wednesday, Mike thanked his followers for the "incredibly overwhelming" support he's had since first receiving his diagnosis.
"I am so grateful. It's been emotional. But overall I think it's making me stronger," he wrote followed by: "The story will continue."
Award-winning singer Kelis was on our screens last year in ITV's The Masked Singer.
Dressed up as Daisy, Kelis admitted being the fifth of 12 contestants to be booted off the show was tough.
She was the first US star and second professional singer to be unmasked – after Justin Hawkins was revealed as the Chameleon.
Describing her departure as “bitter sweet”, the mum-of-three said: “I definitely was getting a little competitive.”
