He received a liver transplant a few weeks back, effectively saving his life. His wife, Laurie Anderson, said: "It's as serious as it gets. He was dying."
Reed wrote:
I am a triumph of modern medicine, physics and chemistry. I am bigger and stronger than ever. My Chen Taiji and health regimen has served me well all of these years, thanks to Master Ren Guang-yi. I look forward to being on stage performing, and writing more songs to connect with your hearts and spirits and the universe well into the future.