Ex-kop star reveals his secret cancer fight Enrique: The toughest few weeks of my life
FORMER Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has revealed he is suffering from a rare brain tumour.
The 32-year-old Spaniard discovered the growth just a month ago after experiencing severe headaches during a trip to England.
And last night he took to Instagram to share news of his ordeal, uploading a picture of him in his hospital bed with partner Amy Jaine by his side.
Enrique had emergency surgery on the tumour, which was located behind his eye, and is now in recovery.
He said: “All this makes you value life more. Footballers live in a bubble. It’s an unreal life, you lose yourself and you think you’re invincible.
“Sorry I haven’t been around much, it has been the toughest few weeks of my life. Within the space of one month I have found out that I have a rare brain tumour and had surgery to have it removed.
“I am now in recovery and so thankful. Life is too precious.”
Enrique, who also played for Newcastle in the Premier League, spent five years with Liverpool
He ended his career back in Spain with Real Zaragoza before working with his brother’s scouting agency after retiring in September 2017.
Severe
It was during a recent trip to England that he began to experience severe headaches and he was taken to St George’s Hospital in London.
“We were meeting with Brighton coach Chris Hughton, who I know from my time at Newcastle,” he told Spanish sports paper Marca.
“That night, I began to notice the pain. I thought they were migraines. During the night I had a brutal headache. The next morning, my vision was blurry. I had my eyes open and saw double.”
A CT scan revealed a tumour located behind the eye. Enrique has since returned to Spain for further surgery and has been told by doctors that he could have been left blinded by the condition. He is due to begin radiotherapy next month.
Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has revealed his leukaemia is in remission after being diagnosed last summer.
The 32-year-old Nigeria international posted on Instagram: “After a tough year and intense chemotherapy throughout I would like to let everyone know I am in complete REMISSION.
“I still have hurdles to get over to be cured but I can hopefully now move forward with some normality.”