PICTURE ON SUNDAY: Mr. Russ, what did you think when you heard about the three cases of testicular cancer in the Bundesliga? Did memories come up again?
MARCO RUSS (36): There weren’t really any memories, these cases have nothing to do with me. It’s not like that to me when I hear about testicular cancer. bring back bad memories. But of course I am concerned about these cases, especially that of Seb Haller, because we know each other personally.
Did you have contact with him?
I wrote to him and didn’t expect him to get back to me quickly. Because I know that in this situation you have other things on your mind. But he got back to me straight away, now we’re in regular contact. I also wrote briefly with Marco Richter.
Haller is out for several months…
I am afraid that it will take longer for him to come back. I don’t know how long exactly or if he needs chemotherapy. We haven’t talked about that yet. I told him that I would keep my fingers crossed that he got off lightly and didn’t need chemo.
What else did you tell him?
I told him and Richter that I would be there for them if they had any questions. And that they should remain optimistic. Everyone deals with the disease differently, but the positive head helped me the most. And also the family. She probably suffers the most, more than the person concerned. Seb also has a wife and children. If he gets through this time positively, that helps them enormously.
Sounds very simple in theory. It’s hard to stay optimistic when things are really bad, isn’t it?
Of course there are these phases. During my second chemo I felt completely lousy for a whole week. But as a competitive athlete you have this motivation to do everything. It doesn’t matter whether it’s about securing a regular place in the pre-season or beating cancer. That’s why it’s a little easier for us than for non-competitive athletes, we’ve already internalized fighting.
Wrote a book about his illness: Marco Russ
Is it coincidence that three cases are discovered within a few months?
I think so. In any case, it is a sign that one should think about doing this research before each season. During the sports medical examination, the heart and lungs are examined – why not the testicles too? The investigation takes no time and, compared to what clubs have to pay when a player is out, hardly any money either.
Do you remember what you thought when you got the diagnosis?
Most of them revolved around my children. But of course, when you hear that you have cancer, there are also some thoughts towards death. But they went away relatively quickly.
Then comes the OP…
It’s the same for everyone, for Richter, Haller, Baumgartl and for me. The operation lasts 15 minutes, the affected testicle is removed and sent to the pathology department. Samples are taken there. Tests are also made to see if it has spread.
A testicular tumor was found in Union’s Timo Baumgartl – here with his girlfriend Julia – in May
How long did it take you to get back to your full potential?
After eight or nine months I was substituted on against Bielefeld shortly before the end. But I wasn’t at 100 percent yet, it certainly took a year. It’s not like after a cruciate ligament tear, where you can easily start training again after two weeks. After chemo you start from scratch. The first few months were tough, gross, monotonous and not fun at all.
Before your diagnosis and surgery, was testicular cancer ever a topic in the dressing room?
Not at all. We were no different than the rest of society. We don’t deal with such topics until we are suddenly affected ourselves. Or someone close to us. I too have never dealt with the subject of testicular cancer, why should I? I was young and I was a competitive athlete. Why should this concern me? That changed for us after the diagnosis, a lot of people thought about it and had them examined – not just the players.
Marco Richter was also diagnosed with a testicular tumor in mid-July
Nevertheless, the subject is largely taboo…
Yes, there are many prejudices. Also and especially in terms of masculinity. But that’s complete nonsense. I have sex with one testicle as well as with two, nothing has been lost in terms of potency. The concern that one no longer appears as a whole man is wrong! The only difference is that I can no longer father children.
How are you dealing with the topic of cancer today?
I know the cancer could always come back. But I don’t give that a thought. I go to the check-up normally, but I don’t have a bad feeling waiting for the results.
How often?
I got cancer in 2016. For the first five years I was at the pension every three months, now only every six months. For the next two or three years I’ll only go there once. The pension is designed for ten years. But one thing is very important to me…
Namely?
Women take their daughters to the gynecologist as soon as they have their first period. From then on they will be examined regularly. This is not the case with men. But they should also be checked once a year. I will do the same with my son when he gets old.
You once said “tumor is when you laugh anyway”. Do you still stand by it?
Yes! Joking about it was my way of dealing with it. And those of my family and friends. This may be a bit incomprehensible to outsiders.
This article comes from BILD am SONNTAG. The ePaper of the entire issue is available here.
