Taryn Bolotin
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Michael Bolton talked to AARP.org about his daughters Isa, Taryn and Holly's support
Bolton said having them nearby has meant "more than I could ever put into words"
"They remind me of who I am and what's worth fighting for," he said
Michael Boltonis opening up about the ways in which his daughters' support has gotten him through one of the toughest challenges of his life.
Bolton, 72, wasdiagnosed with glioblastomain December 2023 — and in the two years since, he's leaned on hisdaughters Isa, Taryn and Holly.
In a rare interview withAARP.org, the Grammy-winning singer said that having his loved ones nearby has meant "more than I could ever put into words."
"My daughters have been constant in a way that grounds me. On the harder days, they help me stay centered; on the lighter ones, they bring out the laughter that makes everything feel possible again," he said in an email interview. "They remind me of who I am and what's worth fighting for."
Taryn, 46, and her children live with Bolton full-time at his home in Connecticut, while Isa, 50, lives nearby and Holly, 48, makes frequent trips from her home in California.
Michael Bolton/Facebook
The sisters and their six childrenfill Bolton's home with love and laughter, he said.
"I'm feeling deeply grateful. This past year has tested me in ways I never imagined, but it's also made me more aware of the moments that fill life with meaning: having meals with my family, hearing my grandkids laugh, stepping outside on a beautiful day and just taking it in," he said.
Bolton — who has had his speech, mobility and short-term memory affected by his chemotherapy and radiation treatments — first revealed his glioblastoma diagnosis to PEOPLE in a cover story in April.
At the time, the "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" singer said it would be "unimaginable moving forward without my family being so on board."
His daughters, meanwhile, whom he shares with ex-wife Maureen McGuire, emphasized the importance of humor in the Bolton house, and said the family loved gathering together for dinners and trivia nights.
"My kids think he's so funny, and I think that he loves that," said Taryn. "When he makes people laugh, he's on top of the world. ... This house was quiet my whole life. Now, there's so much noise, but it's so nice, because it feels more alive."
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Taryn and Isa alsospoke to AARP.org, sharing details of their caregiving journey and its ups and downs.
"We each help to honor him in various ways. One of us, for instance, is very fastidious in making sure that all of the daily care… The Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed," said Isa. "One of us is worrying more about companionship and his spirits and what type of mood he's in. And then we're all kind of collectively working on managing various business and professional aspects that need to be taken care of day to day."
She acknowledged that "caregiver fatigue is a unique experience," and something of a roller coaster.
"We do have great days, and we have some tough days," she said. "The pressure, the burden, is overwhelming sometimes."
Still, Isa noted that while their father "has a lot of challenges," he's "very strong. His mobility and cognition have been terrific."
Bolton finished radiation and chemotherapy in October 2024, and currently undergoes MRIs every two months to ensure his tumor has not returned, asglioblastoma has a recurrence rateof about 90 percent.
Read the original article onPeople