Why is Dustin Diamond hospitalized? 'Saved By the Bell' star had 'put off' seeking treatment as he was afraid
'Saved By The Bell' actor Dustin Diamond took to Facebook on January 14, 2021, to confirm his cancer diagnosis. The post read, "Official Statement from Team Dustin: At this time we can confirm that Dustin does have cancer. Dustin Will disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made." The message also explained that should anyone want to send a card or a letter or even an email, they can at the address and email provided in the post. The post added, "We ask at this time no autograph requests be sent to this address as that isn’t what it’s for. We ask everyone to respect Dustin’s privacy during this difficult time. All positivity and prayers are appreciated."
What do we know about his hospitalization and diagnosis?
According to E! News, the 44-year-old actor's team had confirmed to the publication that he was hospitalized in Florida this "past weekend" as he was in pain. The team had said, "Cancer is likely the prognosis though doctors are still running tests to figure out what is wrong." Now, the news has been confirmed. The actor who is well known for his role as Screech on 'Saved By The Bell' was diagnosed with stage four cancer, according to a Daily Mail article. The publication said that the actor's rep said that he was "undergoing chemotherapy" with the actor's friend, Dan Block adding that his friend had a "huge lump" on his throat but was "afraid" to seek medical treatment.
As of now, Diamond is still in the hospital as doctors are doing a "ton of tests" on him. He had been hospitalized after he was complaining of body pain, and the article revealed that his medical team "feared" that he may have cancer. The type of cancer Diamond is diagnosed with is yet to be revealed, although, his mother lost her life to breast cancer - the actor is getting a biopsy done to see what it could be, according to reports.
A representative also told the Today Show, "It's serious, but we don't know how serious yet. He’s going for testing. He hasn’t been feeling well. He's at an undisclosed hospital in Florida. We are hoping for a speedy recovery." Yet another representative revealed to TMZ that Diamond who is going through his first round of chemo was also in pain from shingles.
Why was Diamond putting off treatment?
Block, the actor's close friend told The Sun that while Dustin did have a "huge lump" on his neck, he had "put off" going to the hospital. "Dustin has cancer - we don't know what type or how advanced - we'll find out tomorrow. Right now we don't know how bad it is or where it has spread. I wanted to say something because there are people out there saying it's a hoax - it's not a hoax, Dustin is sick. It started off as a tumor on his neck - a huge lump on his throat - and it was very visible. He was afraid of someone taking pictures of it and posting it online," said Block.
The Sun also revealed that Block said that this is the second time Diamond was hospitalized in the past 2 years. "About two years ago he called me and told me he had this thing on his face like a sore and that he was really worried about it. He was taking antibiotics but he didn't want to go to the doctor and then about a week later he Facetimed me and said it was getting really bad," said Block. "I drove right over there - it's about two hours away - and took him to the hospital and it was MRSA. I stayed with him at the hospital and there were doctors with full-on biohazard suits and it was really bad. He got a huge scar on his face from that. When he told me a few weeks ago and told me about his neck and said he was sick again - I asked him, 'Is it as bad as MRSA?' and he said 'It's WORSA'. That was him being funny about it, which is totally his character."
Block also revealed that Diamond has had a biopsy and they are just trying to figure out what the next steps would be. "I know that the reason he didn't get help is because when he goes out people take pictures, put it on the internet, and say not nice things about him. He's subject to public ridicule all the time and it sucks. People need to know he is a human," said Block. He added that the "thing" was on Diamonds neck and "grew really fast." On January 12, 2021, Block also posted an emotional video to facebook writing, "This is a personal post about my friend Dustin. After reading comments on the news of his illness I decided to post this. #getbetterdustindiamond"