Denise Jackson Cancer Free: Alan’s Wife Now ‘Doing Great’

Alan Jackson has endured plenty of ups and downs in both his personal and professional life, since he married his high school sweetheart, Denise, more than three decades ago. But nothing could have prepared the Grand Ole Opry member for the devastating news he received in 2010, when his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, Denise is now cancer-free, and living life to the fullest these days.

"She's doing great," Alan tells The Boot. "Of course, you have to get a scan every few months to check on everything, and it's all been clear and looking good. She didn't lose all her hair, but it did get pretty thin. She's looking better now. She's probably more healthy than she's ever been now because she watches what she eats and does, and now she's wearing me out! Everything's looking good. I appreciate everybody's prayers and concerns."

The 'So You Don't Have to Love Me Anymore' singer acknowledges that their love affair is a constant work in progress ... as most marriages are. "I've been in this relationship I'm in for 30-something years now, and some days I wish I wasn't married to her and most of the time I'm glad I am," he concedes. "I don't care if it's somebody that seems compatible or your soul mate ... you have to work at it all the time. I always find that most times you treat strangers nicer than you do somebody that's close to you, and if you learn to do that, that makes a big difference."

Denise wrote a best-selling book in 2007, 'It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life,' and her proud husband hints there may be another book in the works. "I can't really speak for her, but she has felt like she wants to write something about what she just went through with this, because it's such a tough experience. She drew from her faith to help her get through that, and I think she feels strongly about trying to do something with that, eventually."

Alan will spend a few more weeks at home with Denise and their three daughters before he heads out for a series of shows, including stops in Colorado, Pennsylvania and California. Keep track of his tour schedule here.