I will be back, says Chong Wei

KUALA LUMPUR: After having battled his way to the top of world badminton, former world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei has had to face the toughest battle of his life when he was diagnosed with nose cancer in August.

“When I found out I had cancer, I cried for a week. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know what to do when I was diagnosed,” he said yesterday in a tell-all press conference at the Badminton Academy of Malaysia.

This was the first time he was addressing the media since news of his illness broke in August.

He revealed that he did not feel right after his semi-final exit at the Indonesian Open in Jakarta in July.

“I went to get checked and found out that I had this cancer, I was down when I saw the doctor, but he told me that it was detected early ... God chose me (to go through this).”

Always the fighter, Chong Wei said he had to pick himself back up to combat the disease.

“You have to be strong and happy and keep on going.”

Chong Wei also spoke about the harrowing proton treatment he went through in Taiwan to combat the cancer.

“This was hell. My throat hurt so much I could not even eat for a week, every time I tried to swallow food, I started crying because it was too painful. I had to eat to get energy for the treatment so I just had to bear the pain. Sometimes I drank only milk for nourishment.”

After receiving 33 rounds of the treatment, Chong Wei, said he is officially cancer free and is not intending on hanging up his racket just yet.

“I love badminton. I just try my very best and I’ll come back soon,” he announced in a cheerful and high-spirited mood.