Richard Simmons, who isn’t dying, shares he underwent skin cancer treatment

Richard Simmons is rarely in the news of his own volition. The famously private exercise enthusiast is usually the subject of a conspiracy theory or death hoax that keeps the fires of social media burning and Mark Zuckerberg’s pockets full. However, in the last few weeks, we’ve heard more from Simmons than usual: “Hi, y’all, thanks for the concern, but I’m fine! I like my quiet life at home these days. Bye.”

That’s changed this year as he’s begun posting on Facebook more frequently, starting his own rumors about his health that he must debunk. After cryptically posting on Facebook, “I am ….dying” earlier this week, then clarifying that he isn’t imminently dying, he then shared another, more recent post that he’s been dealing with a particularly nasty skin cancer diagnosis. After finding a “strange looking bump” under his eye, Simmons traveled to the dermatologist, who told him he had the “the C word.”

“You have cancer,” Simmons wrote. “I asked him what kind of cancer, and he said. Basel [sic] Cell Carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me dirty names. He laughed.”

Simmons said it took three sessions of his doctor burning the cancer cells off his face, which he admits was quite painful. Finally, “third time was a charm.” He writes:

Well the third time was a charm. With a smile on his face, he said, “We got all the cancer cells out.” I gave him a hug. We are not done yet I have to stitch your face up. It took about 45 Minutes and I was done. “I don’t want to see you back here again.”

Before I left, he checked my arms ,my back,my chest and my legs. I had a little Frankenstein under my right eye for a while . He gave me some cream to put on it which I did religiously. Because of his fine work I don’t have a scar.

Simmons says that he’s “lost a lot of friends to cancer” but wanted “to leave you with a positive story.”

One of my best friends shared with me that every time she ate she felt sick. I made an appt for her to see my doctor.

“I have stomach cancer, Richard. I have to go to surgery immediately.” She went to the hospital for 20 days. And after 8 chemo treatments they told her she was cancer free. She wanted me to know that she survived to thrive.

I know some of you reading this have had cancer or have known someone in your life who has had cancer. Promise me you will see your doctor and get a complete check up.

As always, we’re glad to hear Simmons is okay.