Neil Diamond says he was 'in denial' about Parkinson's diagnosis for the first 2 years

Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY

Neil Diamond has had a tough journey toward accepting his Parkinson's disease diagnosis.

"I was in denial for the first year or two," Diamond, 82, revealed in a candid interview with "CBS Sunday Morning" (streaming on Paramount+).

The "Sweet Caroline" singer announced he had Parkinson's in January 2018 and also revealed he'd be retiring from touring.

"When the doctor told me what it was, I was just not ready to accept it," Diamond said, adding that he initially brushed off his physician. "I said, 'Oh, OK. I'll see you, whenever you wanna see me. But I have work to do, so I'll see you later.'"

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The Grammy-winning artist has only really come to terms with his diagnosis "in the last few weeks," he said.

"I don't like it. But, this is me; this is what I have to accept. And I'm willing to do it," Diamond said. "This is the hand that God's given me, and I have to make the best of it, and so I am."

Part of the reason the musician had trouble accepting his diagnosis was that he had a "pretty amazing life" and he didn't always appreciate it in the moment. "

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Diamond has since had to face the reality that his busy schedule of creating and touring is of the past. "I can't really fight this thing, so I had to accept it, this Parkinson's disease. There's no cure," he said. "There's no getting away from it. You can't just say, 'OK, enough already. Let's get back to life.' It doesn't work like that."

"I've come to accept what limitations I have, and still have great days," he added.

Diamond continues to find joy in music. "I still can sing," he said. "I feel good. It's like, all the systems in my mind and my body are working as one when I'm singing. And it's a great feeling."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Neil Diamond gets candid about Parkinson's disease diagnosis, denial

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