[ad_1]
Australian swimming superstar Ariarne Titmushas explained why she went public with her ovarian tumour surgery.
Titmus underwent surgery in September to remove a large growth found on one of her ovaries. She had two benign tumours on her right ovary cut out.
Fortunately, Titmus’ tumours were not cancerous and are not associated with infertility, however she relayed her fears of being unable to fall pregnant in the future.
READ MORE: Bosses promise refunds, investigation after BBL farce
READ MORE: What spin ace told Aussie rookie after ‘whirlwind’ debut
READ MORE: McDonald’s selection hint as Marsh question dodged
“I personally on the inside was freaking out,” she told media on Sunday.
“I was having my reproductive organ worked on to remove something that could have potentially put me at risk of not being able to have children.”
Titmus had earlier explained that an innocuous MRI on a persistent hip injury made the alarming discovery.
“I’m so grateful that we picked it up when we did. It was almost like the perfect time to get it done,” she said.
“I imagine if I had the scan in February or March it would have derailed my Olympics.”
Titmus revealed that she originally wanted to keep her operation private but later decided that sharing her story could start conversations and help to normalise what she experienced.
“A few nurses were asking for photos at the hospital and I was like, ‘I’d rather just put it out there and use it as an opportunity to create a conversation for people that might be going through the same thing’,” she said.
After taking a few weeks off swimming post-surgery, the 23-year-old resumed training and competed for the first time since July at the Queensland State Championships at the weekend.
Titmus finished second in the women’s open 200m freestyle final on day two of the competition, behind teen Mollie O’Callaghan.
“I’m really playing catch up at the moment, trying to get as much work in as I can,” she said.
“I’m pretty buggered racing here but it’s more about getting back in the pool.”
Initially frustrated with the progress of her recovery, Titmus said that she was battling an inner conflict with wanting to prioritise her health and wanting to get back to swimming.
“One part of me was like, ‘I want to get back into it and I want to rush to get back’, but another part of me was like, ‘No, my health is the most important thing’,” she said.
“It also made me realise what a small portion of my life being an athlete is and how much I want to make the most of this opportunity.”
Titmus will miss the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in February, instead ramping up her preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In July, the two-time Olympic champion claimed gold and set a new world record in the women’s 400m freestyle at the World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
[ad_2]
