Natalie Cole experienced a dramatic change in her life when she had difficulty breathing in September and was hospitalized just days after she visited the ET set, only to learn that her lungs had filled up with fluid and her kidneys were functioning at less than 10 percent. Now, the Grammy winning singer gets candid with our own Mary Hart in a two-part interview starting Thursday about her health crisis -- and how she was almost near death.

"I was in denial that I was close to dying until after three to four days of being hospitalized and them putting me on dialysis," she says. "I had a lot of time to think. The first thing I knew was that I would never work the same way again. ... [I'd have] three hours a day, three times a week [in dialysis] that I would just have to sit there and be glad that I have something that is gonna keep me going."

Already battling Hepatitis C, Natalie reveals that if she didn't go to the hospital at the urging of close friend Denise Rich, "They would have found me either unconscious or dead. ... I think I was on my way out."

Now facing the possibility of a kidney transplant, Natalie has the comfort and support of her family to appreciate. "My beautiful son and my wonderful sisters have already volunteered," she says, adding, "The kidneys do have a chance of repairing themselves, but we're hopeful -- we still don't know."

Still planning to perform several times this year and to make in store appearances for her new album Still Unforgettable, Natalie expresses regret that she's had to limit her promotional schedule due to her health condition, but remains optimistic.

"I haven't felt as good as I do today in seven weeks," she reports. "I feel really good. I'm a trooper. I'm one of those crazy 'the show must go on' people. I'm a survivor. I don't believe in giving up until the fat lady sings."

Watch ET for Mary's compelling interview with Natalie Cole Thursday and Friday!