At the Foro Italico during the Italian tennis internationals, the former Czech tennis player Martina Navratilova is presented with the golden racket. May 21, 2023, in Rome, Italy.
Mara Navratilová. MASSIMO INSABATO/ARCHIVIO MASSIMO INSABATO/MONDADORI PORTFOLIO PHOTO THROUGH GETTY.
Martina Navratilova recently announced that she was cancer-free, but the tennis legend’s battle with the illness had a physical and psychological toll.
Navratilova, 66, gave an update on her health following her diagnosis with throat and breast cancer at the end of last year during an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday. She was joined in the interview by her wife, Real Housewives of Miami star Julia Lemigova.
It’s been seven months of emotional and physical hell, she said, since my diagnosis in early December, when I finally received the all-clear.
While Navratilova’s cancer was largely curable, she added that the actual protons radiation therapy treatment was “horrific.”. ” .
“Chemotherapy and radiation — it really beat me up,” she said to the outlet. So it was brutal on a physical level. No matter what, it is still slung over your shoulder. You cannot avoid it. I was definitely rendered powerless, but at least I have some control over my attitude. But with that, Julia really had no control. At first, she was incredibly frightened. Both of us were very frightened. ”
'Seven months of hell, emotionally and physically.'
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 17, 2023
Martina Navratilova describes her relief after getting the 'all clear' from cancer in June. pic.twitter.com/X1T6PDOy5u
One week after testing positive for the BRCA gene, Jill Martin of today was given a breast cancer diagnosis (exclusive).
Lemigova, who was filming RHOM while she was receiving treatment, but who “would come in and out” to be with her, was there to support her, she claimed. “Of course, Chris Evert and I had basically gone through the same thing together, supporting one another,” says the friend and former tennis player. “(In 2021, ovarian cancer was found to be present in Evert. ).
Navratilova added that she dropped about 25 pounds. throughout the ordeal. Knock on wood, it was challenging, but I’m now cancer-free. “.
The encounter, according to Lemigova, altered the way she views the world. “With tragedies like this, life gives you new perspective. Don’t take life for granted, and savor each second. That is what we currently do with Martina. Every day, we give thanks and give appreciation, and we view life very differently.
”.
Navratilova tweeted last month to express her appreciation for “all the doctors, nurses, proton and radiation magicians, etc. “after a day filled with tests at Sloan Kettering,” the nine-time Wimbledon champion wrote.
She wrote, “What a relief,” along with the hashtags “byebyecancer:) and yes, f—cancer!!!” on her post.
Navratilova Martina.
It’s Martina Navratilova. GETTY, CHARLES SYKES, and Bravo.
Despite being informed that her cancer was “very” treatable at the time of her initial diagnosis, Navratilova acknowledged, “I was in a total panic for three days thinking I may not see next Christmas.”. “.
Lemigova claimed to have been by Navratilova’s side when she received the good news in a March interview with PEOPLE. “I was by her side through the good, bad, and ugly. I was therefore present when she received her cancer diagnosis, and this is not a secret. Undoubtedly, I was present when she shared the good news with me. To be, I had to. We also had a celebration on that day. “.
Clea Shearer of The Home Edit claims that breast cancer has rendered her completely unrecognizable due to her hair.
In an interview with the Washington Post earlier this month, former tennis rivals Navratilova and Evert discussed their friendship and recent cancer diagnoses. Evert remembered that when she first learned that she had ovarian cancer, “[Martina] was one of the very first people I told.”. “When I called her, I felt like I was coming home. ”.
Although she was declared cancer-free in 2010, Navratilova was initially diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago. When she received her initial diagnosis, Navratilova admitted to PEOPLE that it “kicked me in the ass, really. I feel like I have such complete control over my life and my body, but then this happens, and everything is out of my hands. “.
