Juan Gabriel continues to assure that he's doing much better after his two visits to the hospital, but a source tells a completely different tale.

According to TV Notas, this source, who is a close friend of the Mexican singer and chose to remain anonymous, says Juan Gabriel is in very bad health. He was rushed to the hospital because he had pneumonia and then he went on to perform in New York, which only made matters worse. And, the source adds, Juan Gabriel has intestinal cancer that was diagnosed three years ago.

The source alleges that Juan Gabriel hopes to fight it and that he has done everything he can to remain stable, but he doesn't believe in doctors. Instead, he prefers to go a more natural route.

"He really believes in natural medicine," the source said. "He has great faith in it. Every time that the media speculates on his conditions, his office by order of his son Ivan sends press releases to avoid alarming his fans."

He may not believe in doctors, but he did have to go to the hospital twice since last week, and there are reports that he is not even allowed to talk so that he can fully recuperate, according to another source.

"He's putting a lot of effort in," the source said. "In fact, doctors prohibited him from speaking so that his lungs have as little stress as possible and it'll help avoid any unnecessary fatigue; he is not taking phone calls or visits. He has replied so some emails, which is the way he communicates with the world. He put his son, Ivan, in charge for reporting on his health. Ivan is the head of everything."

This source adds that Juan Gabriel successfully persuaded doctors to let him, which is why he was out in the first place. But since he was still not fully healed, he returned again this week.