Natalie Cole: Recovering After Kidney Transplant Surgery

UPDATED:

Hours after undergoing a life saving kidney transplant, Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole has lost her older sister Carol "Cookie" Cole. She was 64.

The singer's younger sister Timolin Cole told the New York Post on Thursday that her ailing sister recently discovered a "cancerous spot on her lung."

"This is all so surreal, and it is devastating," she said. "Our sister Cookie hadn't been to a doctor in 30 years, and last week she went in and they found a cancerous spot on her lung. They had wanted to start chemo right away, but Cookie said no."

Cole continued, "Natalie was there with her at her bedside at 4 in the morning on Monday, and she got a phone call from her doctors that a kidney was ready for her."

"She said, 'What do you mean? I can't deal with that right now! I'm here with my dying sister!' And they said to her, 'No, ma'am. We've got to do it now. You've got to be at Cedars-Sinai in two hours.'

"I told her, 'Natalie, this is God's gift, and you've got to go now. Cookie would want this for you.'"

Natalie Cole Pictures

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Natalie Cole (L) and actor/singer Jamie Foxx backstage at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Natalie Cole, winner of the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album "Still Unforgettable" poses in the press room during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: (L-R) Musicians Herbie Hancock, Natalie Cole, and Sean "Diddy" Combs speak during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Natalie Cole arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer/songwriter Natalie Cole arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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It was announced on Wednesday night that Natalie Cole underwent kidney transplant surgery and is resting comfortably.

The 59-year-old Grammy Award winning singer has been battling Hepatitic C and publicly revealed that she was in search of a kidney donor on 'Larry King Live' in March.

The kidney reportedly came from a deceased organ donor, her spokeswoman confirmed.

Cole underwent surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The 'Unforgettable' singer revealed her Hepatitis C diagnosis last July, attributing it to her excessive drug use during the 1970s.

She has been receiving kidney dialysis three times a week since September, even as she toured the world to promote her latest opus, 'Still Unforgettable.'

Cole is expected to recuperate for the next three to four months, forcing her to postpone the previously scheduled summer tour.

The College Survival Guide

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
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Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
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Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

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What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

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You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!