Scotland rugby star Emma Wassell is recovering from a full sternotomy to remove a tumour from her chest and is looking forward not back and hoping this is the end of a “crazy old chapter” for her.
The 29-year-old, 67-times capped second-row spent nearly two weeks in hospital in August after the tumour was discovered whilst training with the national team.
It ruled her out of the WXV 2 tournament in South Africa and shook her and her team mates.
During Scotland’s pre-season training camp at Oriam on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Wassell thought she was simply feeling under the weather when her neck became sore.
An appointment with a physiotherapist did not reveal any obvious cause of pain, but the discomfort continued despite the Aberdeen native taking her doctor’s advice to drink fizzy juice and see if it dislodged any food stuck in her throat.
Wassell then went to A & E in Edinburgh and while in the waiting room her neck began swelling. Following CT scans, doctors found the benign tumour in her chest.
Things have moved on from there and the Loughborough Lightning player said on Instagram on Tuesday: “From emergency biopsy surgery in August to a full sternotomy in November and the tumour removed with a pretty cool scar to back it up – this is hopefully the end of a crazy old chapter.
“I am grateful beyond words to every doctor and nurse at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for the care I’ve been given, not only this past week, but when I was first admitted in August – they are doing God’s work.
And finally, to my friends and family, you are truly unmatched and I could not have made it through any of this without you all.
“For now, I will rest, recover and heal.”
Emma Wasselll is pictured in hospital recently – photo from her Instagram
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