The story

Carly Simon announced Monday that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and was treated for basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. The 83-year-old singer, known for hits including "You're So Vain" and "Nobody Does It Better," said in a statement that she has been "learning how to live with" Parkinson's. She said it took time to understand the diagnosis, adjust to it, and decide how much to say publicly.

Simon said her health problems began with arthritis in both knees and one hip, leading to replacement surgeries for all three joints. After the surgeries, her mobility continued to worsen. She had trouble standing from low chairs and deep couches without help, and eventually there were periods when she could not walk without considerable help. After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She has started medication to help with stiffness and other symptoms, though she said the severity of the disease still ebbs and flows.

Simon described Parkinson's as unpredictable, saying some days she is so tired she cannot get the day moving at all, while other days give her more room to move, think, work, and feel like herself. She said the disease can bring anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and apathy, calling the apathy "particularly strange." During this period, she was also treated for basal cell carcinoma on her face. The surgery to remove the cancer affected her appearance and made her self-conscious about being seen in public. Despite her health struggles, Simon recorded a new album, "Comes in Waves," her first in 18 years, due for release next month.