The former Fleetwood Mac member had open heart surgery last week

Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham has suffered some vocal cord damage while undergoing emergency open heart surgery.

The musician had the surgery last week and is now recuperating at home, according to his wife Kristen Buckingham.

In a statement, she said: “Each day he is stronger than the last. While he and his heart are doing well, the surgery resulted in vocal cord damage. While it is unclear if the damage is permanent, we are hopeful it is not.”

She continued: “This past year has been a very stressful and difficult year for our family, to say the least. But despite all this, our gratitude for life trumps all obstacles we have faced at this moment. We feel so fortunate he’s alive. As does he. He looks forward to recovery and putting this behind him.”

All of Buckingham’s touring commitments have been “put on pause” while he recovers from the operation.

Kristen added that she, the guitarist, and their family were “so thankful for the kind and generous love given by the people surrounding” them.

Last year, Buckingham was fired from Fleetwood Mac. According to the musician, his former bandmate Stevie Nicks had delivered an ultimatum to the rest of the group, forcing them to choose between herself and him.

The guitarist filed a lawsuit against the band for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of oral contract, and other complaints. The band disputed the allegations and the suit was later settled before the end of 2018.