Source: REUTERS/IVAN ALVARADO
[Saba Sports News] Lee Chong Wei, the legendary
Malaysian badminton player, faced a challenging battle with nasopharyngeal
cancer in 2018. In a recent interview, he shared his experience of fighting the
disease. Upon receiving the cancer diagnosis, Lee Chong Wei immediately travelled
to the United States for advanced proton radiotherapy, which was considered the
most cutting-edge treatment at the time. His treatment involved multiple rounds
of electrotherapy and chemotherapy, resulting in painful throat ulceration that
made eating difficult. For three weeks, he had to rely on anesthetic sprays to
manage the pain and force himself to swallow. The chemotherapy caused
significant weight loss and led to periods of depression. Throughout this
difficult journey, Lee Chong Wei found solace and strength in the unwavering support
and companionship of his wife and mother, who were always by his side with
smiles on their faces. After enduring 33 rounds of radiotherapy, the cancer was
successfully brought under control. However, the extensive medical treatment
incurred a substantial cost of approximately US$1.28 million. Today, Lee Chong
Wei has made a full recovery. Though he has retired from professional
badminton, he remains dedicated to promoting and developing the sport. Last
year, he took on the role of team leader for the RTG project (Road to Golden
Medal) established by the Malaysian Badminton Team, aimed at achieving success
at the Paris Olympics.