Former W.A.S.P. and current METAL CHURCH drummer Stet Howland underwent a spinal tap last week after he was recently diagnosed with Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from the B-cells in the lymphatic system. According to a post on the METAL CHURCH Facebook page, the procedure "was a little rough. Stet also had to shave his head." But the band adds: "No worries though, it will grow back and he retains a good sense of humor about it all! But his fight will continue and he sends his love and thanks for the prayers, good wishes and financial help you are all providing!"
Earlier in the month, Howland began chemotherapy treatments, with each treatment consisting of Stet checking into the hospital as an inpatient and running continuously on chemo (sixteen-hour drips, one right after the other) for just under five full days. On his days "off," he is continuing to go in for blood testing, and is receiving blood transfusions every couple of days.
Stet was named METAL CHURCH's permanent new drummer in July. He stated at the time that he was "honored to be a member of such a group of people" and vowed to do his "best to deliver strong performances both live and in the studio." He added in a recent social media post: "I consider myself a very lucky man who has done many great things in my life. I have been blessed to play in several iconic bands in my career. But my current METAL CHURCH gig is the unrivaled pinnacle of it all."