ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 21, 1996 TAG: 9612230146
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: AUSTIN, TEXAS
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE CYCLIST is done with chemotherapy and will resume training soon in the warmer climes of Florida.
Cycling star Lance Armstrong says he's back on track toward a normal life after tests showed no cancer in his body.
Doctors have told the world champion cyclist that he likely will not have to have more chemotherapy or surgery, the Austin American-Statesman reported today.
``I'm almost back to normal,'' Armstrong said. ``But I don't have my old life back. Yet.''
Armstrong in October announced he had had a cancerous testicle removed and was undergoing chemotherapy to combat the disease that had spread to his stomach and lungs. He also underwent surgery to remove two small brain lesions.
Armstrong said he wanted to promote awareness of testicular cancer. He said if he had been more aware of the symptoms, he would have sought treatment long before he began feeling pain in one testicle and coughing up blood.
Every three weeks, Armstrong has flown to Indianapolis, where he underwent surgery, for a five-day cycle of chemotherapy. He was hospitalized during the treatment because doctors had to monitor his kidneys due to the toxicity of one of the drugs he was taking.
A week ago, doctors removed the chemotherapy catheter that had been inserted in his chest.
Able to focus on something other than his cancer treatments, Armstrong said he plans to be with his parents for Christmas and then fly to South Florida.
``I need some warmer weather and some flatter roads,'' Armstrong said.
Armstrong, 25, plans to ride competitively in 1997 but said he will not rush his comeback.
``I'm hoping for some sort of return next year,'' he said. ``I think I'd be making a big mistake if I came back too soon.''
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB