“The clinical results have confirmed the appearance of a Hodgkin lymphoma in my body. The medical team tells me that the detection is early, its proliferation is curable and of small dimensions. The reaction will be immediate: we are going to continue a treatment chemotherapy for the next six months “. They are words of Carla Suárez (Las Palmas, 31 years old), which reported in a statement that he suffers from this type of cancer, a neoplasm that originates in the lymphatic tissue and affects the immune system.
Carla had not been able to train for a while due to a general malaise that prevented her from performing adequately (“I have not felt well for several weeks when demanding professional training from my body,” she explained) and therefore she could not participate in the Lexington tournament or at the Cincinnati Open. A few days ago, the Canarian confirmed her withdrawal from the US Open and commented that she had undergone various tests to determine the cause of her physical problems and, unfortunately, the results have revealed that she suffers from a serious illness.
This is the full statement that the player, who had planned to retire in 2021 to become a mother, sent to the media:
I hope you are well in a year that has been difficult for everyone.
I would like to address you to confirm some good news but, for the moment, that is a reality that we will all have to wait for.
As I mentioned in previous weeks, I have not been able to complete my track workouts and gym routines normally for a while. By exposing myself to the intensity required by professional sports training, my body has been responding with a general indisposition. I have not been able to complete practice sessions since last July.
In the last days you will have observed through different publications my admission to a hospital.
We have sought medical answers to the appearance of these symptoms. The different tests carried out have required me to rest and have prevented me from participating in the two tournaments organized in New York during the months of August and September, as was my illusion after so many weeks out of competition.
Clinical results have confirmed the appearance of a Hodgkin lymphoma in my body. The medical team tells me that detection is early, its proliferation is curable and small. The reaction will be immediate: we will continue a chemotherapy treatment for the next six months.
The only objective that I have at the moment is to follow medical advice daily, leaving any other reality in the background.
From this moment I thank you for the good treatment you have always had towards me professionally, I ask for your understanding in the treatment of this situation and I hope to greet you as soon as possible.
I take this opportunity to confirm that I will formalize my withdrawal in the preliminary phase of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia and in the main draw at Roland Garros, the two appointments that originally made up my provisional calendar in the clay court season.
I send a big hug to everyone. I hope to see you soon.
“The most important thing is that they have detected it fast”
Hours after making the disease public, the Spanish tennis player spoke on Cadena SER, Cope and Onda Cero.
Symptoms: “A month or so ago, I thought it was a bad stomach because I had retching and nausea and that the heat was affecting me but after the tests they did, they detected what they found me.”
Chemotherapy: “The most important thing is that they have detected it quickly and there are months of struggle to recover as soon as possible.”
When they told you: “I had been doing tests for several days and I knew it was taking time but I could imagine it, when the doctor came and told me, I assimilated it because it is a disease that is the order of the day. I have friends and close people who have passed similar things and forwards “.
This week: “I am in the hospital. They are doing tests, analyzes, they explain the process to me. As soon as we can, we will start the treatment.”
Reaction: “If I tell you the truth, with all the tests they were doing, the doctors were taking time to know what was happening and you want that thought not coming to me. I could imagine it and that's how it happened.”
What's next: “There are months of struggle, of suffering. There is no other. It is something that I have not experienced, I do not know what I am going to find. I can intuit it from what I am hearing, but it is something new.”
Fight disease: “Not only in sport, in life you have to fight. In my sport, because of my height, I had no other choice and now the same. I live a normal day to day. I have a few weeks to start treatment and it makes me smile that my teammates keep moving forward at the US Open. “
Support for: “I have received a lot of affection. I already knew it a few days ago. I have waited to give it normality and when it comes to you you have to face it.”
Love demonstrations: “I already communicated it to Anabel and Garbiñe a few days ago. They have been my companions and we have shared the Federation Cup team and let them know about it before. This morning I told Garbiñe that when he was playing he would communicate it to the media, that no she would be caught by surprise if they asked her. The expressions of affection from other athletes, not only tennis players, are appreciated. “
hope: “I have many months ahead of me, that chemo works in cycles, which is a disease that is the order of the day. Favorable, quite controlled and curable and it gives me hope”.
Withdrawal: “I don't think about it. First health and then the next few months.”
Dani Rovira: “I do not know him personally. I knew the news, that he had overcome it. Not everyone reacts the same to the treatment, but with hope. That other people have overcome it gives you confidence.”