Bruce Springsteen's wife and bandmate Patti Scialfa discloses her six-year battle with blood cancer

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Patti Scialfa has opened up on her six-year battle with multiple myeloma for the first time.

In the new documentary 'Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band', the seasoned member of the band discusses her 2018 diagnosis of blood cancer and how it has affected her ability to perform.

Scialfa, 71, is a member of rock star Bruce Springsteen's illustrious band and is married to him.

Patti Scialfa admitted touring has been difficult since her diagnosis

“I’ve been performing with this band for 40 years. With those first performances, it felt so good to be back onstage. Touring has become a challenge for me,” Scialfa said in the documentary, per People. “In 2018, well, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early stage multiple myeloma.”

The performer noted that although her sickness has made her more cautious about the decisions she makes, it hasn't diminished her passion for playing.

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

Patti Scialfa loves singing 'Fire' with Bruce Springsteen

Patti Scialfa revealed that she especially enjoys singing 'Fire' with her spouse of 33 years, Bruce Springsteen as she feels that their rendition of the 1977 song is "very personal, in a way." The song is frequently performed by the couple, who have a daughter, Jessica, 32, and two sons, Sam, 30, and Evan, 34.

“You can see a side of our relationship that you usually don’t get to see,” she said. “Being back onstage with Bruce is a blast. Every night at this tour gives the band a chance to celebrate.”

This is the first time Patti Scialfa has discussed her diagnosis of the disease in public. The American Cancer Society states that multiple myeloma is a malignancy of plasma cells, which are present in the bone marrow and are an essential component of the immune system.

Springsteen has also experienced medical issues, having disclosed last year that he was pursuing treatment for peptic ulcer disease.

A brief insight into the 'Road Diary' documentary

The film 'Road Diary', which debuted on Sunday, September 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival, chronicles the preparations and eventual departure of Bruce Springsteen, 74, and his band members for their first tour since 2017, which remains ongoing. 

Over a dozen members of the E Street Band, including Danny Federici and the late Clarence Clemons, are interviewed in 'Road Diary'. The Thom Zimny-directed movie gives viewers an insight into the effort that went into organizing the tour.

“Our new film, Road Diary, will take you on a journey from behind the scenes at rehearsals to shows that we performed all around the world this year,” Springsteen said in a recent teaser on Instagram. “You’ll get to experience a little bit of the fun and the magic that we get to experience every night.” The documentary will be released on Hulu and Disney+ on October 25.