RWU HQ – Nothing can stop United States rugger Jillion Potter.
Not a broken neck, not even cancer.
The 28-year old rugger was diagnosed with stage III synovial sarcoma back in September and has spent the last handful of months going through chemotherapy and radiation.
But after a long battle against the rare form of cancer, Potter has finally made her way back to the pitch. According to Nick Zaccardi of NBC Sports, the flanker met with her doctor back in early April and learned that she had “clear lungs.”
“I can’t say 100 percent, but maybe 99 percent confident that I’m cancer-free,” Potter said this past week.
Per Zaccardi, Porter will “know for sure after a doctor check-up in June.”
With her radiation over, Potter is back in Denver, Colo. training. The rugger’s current training regime includes running and lifting three times a week and speed and agility work once a week.
After spending the last eight month’s fighting for her life and enduring cycles of chemotherapy and radiation, Potter is not quite back at full strength yet. Cardio is still an aspect of her game that Potter still struggles with.
“For a very long time I’ve never had to scrape the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, but chemo really takes a toll on your bone marrow, red blood cells, white blood cells,” said the 2013 IRB Rugby Sevens World Cup bronze medalist.
But Porter is aiming for a return to the pitch with the Eagles at the Dubai leg of the Women’s Sevens Series at the
end of the year. And if all goes well, next up would be an attempt at the U.S. sevens roster for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“It’s going to be a challenge, a challenge that I welcome,” Poter said. “I’m still very confident that I can make the squad.”
Good luck on your journey Jillion! Us here at RWU are rooting for you!
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