In a heartfelt outpouring of love and support, fans of fitness icon Richard Simmons rushed to offer their messages of encouragement after the 75-year-old revealed his skin cancer diagnosis.
Simmons, known for his vibrant personality and dedication to fitness, took to Facebook to share his emotional journey.
“There was this strange looking bump under my right eye. I had a tube of neosporin which I would put on I the morning and the evening….it was still there. It was time to call my dermatologist,” Simmons began.
“I sat in his chair and he looked at it through a magnifying mirror. He told me he would have to scrape it and put it under the microscope. Now I am getting a little bit nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. You have cancer. I asked him what kind of cancer and he said. Basel Cell Carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me dirty names. He laughed.
“When I got home I called Dr Ralph A. Massey who was from England I waited in his waiting room and said hello to all of these people who had skin cancer as well. I was shocked to see all of the skin cancers that they had. Some had cancer on top of their heads…their face …and their neck.
“The nurse said, ‘Dr would like to see you now Richard.’
“He explained that he has to burn my skin to remove the cancer cells. There was no numbing it just had to be done with a small instrument. As he started burning my skin a tear dropped down my cheek. You can’t cry during this and he wiped my tear. The burning really hurt my skin. It lasted about 30 minutes. ‘Come back in an hour and a half and see if I got it all out’.
“After driving around the city, I went back to some sad news. I didn’t get it all out. He burned my face again. This time was worse than before…It was deeper. I did not cry this time but I did grit my teeth. ‘Come back in another hour and a half.’ ….to be continued.”
The news of Simmons’ health setback prompted an outpouring of support from fans across the globe. Messages flooded social media platforms, expressing love, prayers, and admiration for the fitness guru.
“Hope he got it all. As I always say Richard…. I loved you then, I love you now & I’ll love you forever,” one wrote.
“Thank God you went to the dermatologist! I can’t wait to read the rest of this! Love and prayers coming your way!”
“I hope you’re ok now. That sounds so hard! Lifting you up! Thank you for giving us your stories and love everyday! You are a treasure and a blessing!” commented another.
“You’ve got this Richard, and you are fighting it. It’ll leave a scar, but what doesn’t? You’re courageous; and doing what others would be afraid to do. Good luck, My dearest friend. No fear; Stand tall.”
Simmons’ openness about his health journey serves as a reminder of the importance of regular check-ups and early detection. His bravery in the face of adversity continues to inspire millions around the world.