“They Lifted My Skull Out”: Lance Armstrong Recalled His Horrifying Treatment Weeks After His Cancer Diagnosis in 1998

Published 12/04/2022, 4:45 PM EST

Life comes with many ups and downs. For athletes, achievements always come with a side of struggles. Although it could get demotivating at times, what sets them apart is their will to fight through it. Professional cyclist Lance Armstrong set an example of this when he battled one of the toughest health scares – cancer.

At the age of 25, when one is usually on a journey to achieve something big, Lance Armstrong faced one of his worst nightmares. Doctors diagnosed him with testicular cancer and many other medical issues. As the world came crashing down upon the athlete, he recounted some of his worst moments.

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Lance Armstrong had a big list of ailments

If the cancer diagnosis wasn’t tragic enough, doctors found danger coursing throughout the cyclist’s body. While the doctors surgically removed his testicles, they also found about 12 tumors in his lung. By the time the diagnosis took place, cancer had spread to his abdomen. And when the cyclist thought that he had large battles to fight, the nightmare did not end there.

When the doctors asked for an MRI, more horrifying results were en route. Turned out, the cyclist had two lesions in his brain and would need urgent surgery. Things kept falling over Armstrong like a line of dominos. The athlete almost gave up all hope and was ready to give up.

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“Will Do Anything I Need to Do to Survive”: Lance Armstrong Once Defined a Career-Changing Incident That Brought His Win-at-All-Costs Attitude

At the age of 25, Lance Armstrong faced some of the most grueling medical issues. He recalled moments from his brain surgery, where he described how the treatment went. He explained, “They lifted my skull out like you’d cut the top off a pumpkin.”

Despite the horrific diagnosis and tough road to recovery, Lance Armstrong persevered. He read up on his ailments and was determined to fight the beast. Not only did the champion recover, but he also got back to cycling with determination and grit. The scary experience taught him to fight for what he loved and, in the end, his passion won.

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Watch this story: How Did An Early Uber Investment Save Lance Armstrong And His Family From Financial Crisis?

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Written by:

Radha Iyer is working as a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She has a Master's degree in Media and Communications from Pandit Deendayal Energy University. Radha has worked as a content writer for over a year.

Edited by:

Vineet Nandwana

“They Lifted My Skull Out”: Lance Armstrong Recalled His Horrifying Treatment Weeks After His Cancer Diagnosis in 1998

Lance Armstrong had a big list of ailments

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