Carly Simon Shares Health Struggles
Carly Simon recently disclosed that she has been quietly facing Parkinson’s disease and skin cancer during her time away from the spotlight.
In a statement to People on July 27, Simon explained that while adapting to life with Parkinson’s, she was also diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and underwent treatment. After taking time to process these health challenges, she is set to release her first original album in 18 years, titled “Comes in Waves,” on August 14.
“Many people have reached out, concerned about my silence, inquiring how I’ve been and what I’ve been up to. The reality is, I’ve been learning to navigate life with Parkinson’s disease,” she shared.
Simon emphasized that adjusting to this diagnosis took time, as did her decision about how openly to discuss it.
“Parkinson’s affects everyone differently, and it can be quite unpredictable. There are days when I’m completely exhausted and can barely begin the day, while there are others when I feel more capable of moving and engaging, like myself,” she mentioned.
In addition to her neurological struggles, Simon noted that she has arthritis in both knees and one hip, leading to the replacement of all three joints.
“Out with the old, and in with delicate bouquets of metal and plastic,” she quipped.
Despite the surgeries, she found her mobility deteriorating further.
“Overstuffed furniture turned into a real challenge for me. Once I sat down, it felt like the chair was trying to swallow me whole, making me feel as if I might never get back up,” she expressed.
Simon received her Parkinson’s diagnosis shortly after she began needing help to walk.
“There’s no neat or predictable timeline with this illness,” Simon remarked. “It doesn’t check my schedule before deciding how I’m going to feel each day.”
She also revealed that her symptoms weren’t just physical.
“There’s anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and apathy that comes with this condition,” she said. “It feels as though the part of my brain responsible for inviting me to participate in life has misplaced the guest list.”
Simon discussed how her second diagnosis impacted her life.
“During this time, I also had basal cell carcinoma removed from my face. The surgery changed my appearance, which made me even more self-conscious about being in public,” she admitted.
“I’ve always been harder on my appearance than anyone could understand,” she added.
Despite withdrawing from public life, she reassured fans, “I haven’t stopped living, and I haven’t stopped working.”
Expressing gratitude for her fans’ unwavering support, she conveyed that she is embracing her health challenges with a positive outlook.
“These days, I tend to take my time, lean on others more than I used to, and I’ve come to accept that each day will present its own set of challenges,” she stated. “But I’m still very much here.”
