Dolly Parton remains in high spirits despite ongoing health issues that forced her to cancel concerts last year for medical treatment. The 80-year-old country music icon, who has previously discussed her chronic kidney stones, shared a cheerful update with fans in a video posted Monday on social media.
Responding Well to Treatment
“The good news is that I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day,” Parton revealed. “Now, the bad news is, it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage-performance level, because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed.”
In her signature light-hearted tone, she joked: “And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels — and you know that I’m going to be wearing them!
“Not to mention all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair and my — uh — big personality,” Parton said, glancing down at her chest. “Lord, those,” she corrected herself, “that would make anybody swimmy-headed.”
Comparing Herself to a Classic Car
Likening herself to an “old classic car that once restored can be better than ever,” she said: “When they raised the hood on this old antique, they realized that I need to rebuild my engine and that my transmission is slipping, my oil pan is leaking and my muffler’s busted and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced.”
“And for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed,” Parton added, “You know as well as I know that I can’t lose my spark.”
Chuckling, the “Jolene” singer quipped: “I know I’m still crazy, but they didn’t mention nothing about my mental health.”
Acknowledging Kidney Stones and Other Issues
Acknowledging that she’s already spoken about her struggles with kidney stones — “Lord, they dig more stones out of me a year than they do the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee” — Parton continued: “But seriously, my immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack for the past couple of years. And they’re working really hard on rebuilding and strengthening those.
“Hopefully, I’ll be up to snuff again soon,” she said. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said ‘snuff.’ Snuff wouldn’t be very good for either of those, would it?”
Laughing, she added: “Plus, I wouldn’t want my lower lip to fall off on top of everything else!”
Thanks to Fans
In the post’s caption, Parton thanked fans for “standing by me and showing me so much love and support over the past year,” writing: “I’ve still got some healing to do, but I am on my way! See you soon.”
Parton first sparked fan concern late last year when she canceled a series of public appearances and postponed her Las Vegas residency by a year to undergo medical treatment. The Grammy-winning artist made her first major public appearance in March at her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood.
“I’ve not been touring, as you know,” Parton told the crowd. “I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.”
