Ivorian international Sebastien Haller has provided a public update on his medical condition for the first time since he was diagnosed with a testicular tumor in July.
The Borussia Dortmund forward underwent surgery last month after discovering the tumour in a training camp, the club’s sports director Sebastian Kehl told a news conference.
The Borussia Dortmund striker, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, was on Tuesday, August 30, emotional while picking up his top scorer award from last season when he was playing for Ajax.
Also Read: Borussia Dortmund Star Sebastien Haller Diagnosed With Testicular Tumor
Speaking to ESPN, Haller narrated his journey while battling the disease. What was notable was his bald head as an effect of the chemotherapy treatment.
"I'm fine. This is a new situation for everyone, especially me and my family. I am lucky to have a lot of people around me and a lot of support. I am also lucky that I do not feel bad. "I can still walk every day and spend time with my family and friends, so everything is fine," Haller noted.
The newly acquired Borussia Dortmund striker revealed that after the diagnosis he felt embarrassed as the club had already spent Ksh3.7 billion (31 million euros) to get his services.
"The first thing I thought was, 'I've only been here ten days and I can't even play for the club,'. We did a lot for this transfer. Everyone was happy and I really wanted to play. It does not seem like a good deal, but if you think about it, you see that you cannot do anything about it. "You could not have avoided it," Haller added.
He added that he takes walks as he checks on his body status daily. The Ivory Coast star also explained on the first symptoms he felt before the diagnosis.
"I had a strange feeling in my stomach; it did not hurt, it was just a strange feeling. Sometimes you think it will go away after a few days, but it did not feel right. That is why I chose to look at what was wrong. The first ultrasound was done at 9 p.m. and an MRI the next day at 9 a.m. Then it became a biopsy because they saw it was a tumor.
"The tumor had been there for several weeks or even a month or two. It is something you cannot feel. Within 24 hours, I did many tests. We had to wait for surgery to see what it was. They saw it there. "When you hear the word (tumor), it is shocking," he stated.
Haller also revealed that he was currently undergoing heavy treatment that included five days at the hospital and being on IV for 24 hours.
"You cannot move; you just lie in bed. Especially during those days, muscle strength and fitness are lost. The first day I returned, I started walking and went to the gym. People in Amsterdam also saw me running in the woods. My physio, wife and mother were there, so I could eat well too. I walk and check my body every day. I have not lost that much in two weeks. I am even at the same level I was at a few months ago. That's a good sign and I hope it stays that way. I feel great," Haller stated.
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