A Wake-Up Call For Vandross

More than a month after Luther Vandross suffered a massive stroke, the R&B legend is listed in critical but stable condition at a New York hospital.

His mother spoke about he overwork and stress that may have caused the stroke, and the future of her son's singing career in an exclusive interview with Jacque Reid, anchor of the BET Nightly News.

Luther's mom admits a part of her is upset with him because she knew he was abusing his health by working long hours and overeating. But she's also a spiritual woman who believes her son's stroke was a wake-up call from God.

Mary Ida Vandross says, "This is a wake-up call to let him know you don't work yourself to death. And that goes for other people, too - because I used to tell him to slow down."

She believes long hours and overeating pushed Luther's diabetes to a dangerous level, causing her son's stroke. Family friend Patti Labelle can relate to Luther's rigorous schedule.

Labelle says, "Sometimes when stressed, my sugar goes up. Luther kept all of his tears inside; he never cried it out. You know his sugar was going up because of things on his mind. Mine does the same thing."

Since being hospitalized, Vandross has undergone surgery to his throat, raising questions of whether the legendary crooner will ever sing again. Mrs. Vandross is optimistic because of special care from doctors.

"Yes, they have been extremely careful," she says. "I don't know how to word it, but they've taken precautions that I'm very well pleased with.

"If he doesn't sing again, as long as he's back, just talking, will be enough for me."

Mrs. Vandross says she's convinced her son will make a full recovery because of a moment on Mother's Day when she was reading scripture to Luther.

She says, "And I would say to him, 'Luther, the Lord is your shepherd. You don't have to want. And he's making you to lie here in green pastures. He's restoring your soul.'" Mrs. Vandross explains that as she read Psalm 23 to her son, she replaced the word "I" with her son's name.

Mrs. Vandross says, "Instead of saying 'I,' I used, 'you, Luther,' and when I had finished, he says, 'Mama.' It was just so great to -- he said 'Mama.' And I just said, 'Lord, he heard me.'"

Luther is the only one of Mrs. Vandross' four children who is still alive. She says prayer is her strength.

Along with prayer Mrs. Vandross says her strength comes from the support of Luther's great friends. She has received calls from Danny Glover, Mariah Carey and the Rev. Jesse Jackson among others. She also talked about fans giving support. She said his hospital room is filled with cards and gifts from fans all over the world.

"You go into his room, and starting from the ceiling to the floor are the cards and letters and CDs, you name it," she says. "They've sent him this and all. He has CD players that people have sent to him. And it's just - it's wonderful."

Doctors says Vandross is still in critical condition but they're optimistic he will make a full recovery.