Life is sometimes torn apart by depressing news. Loyda Zabala (36), elite athlete four participations in the Olympic Games behind him (last in Tokyo 2021), and his mother were “literally in shock” last year on October 28th. The lackluster communication felt more like a sentence than a diagnosis. Everything happened very quickly. After the first examination in the hospital, he learns that he suffers from lung cancer with metastases to the brain, liver and kidneys. Almost unattractive.

Instead of wallowing in horror at malignant neoplasia, LoisAs a specialist in powerlifting, a discipline that has earned him, among other things, four Paralympic diplomas, he, however, decided to breathe.

After just a month, there was no trace of tumor left in his brain and liver as his lung tumor had shrunk from eight to three centimeters and his kidney tumor had now shrunk to 2.2. How is this reality explained? His blue and serene gaze is reminiscent of a Christmas story, synonymous with the heartbeat of hope. Although this time with a real character who is here to tell it. Independent He told her about her latest feat, with which she “beat the statistics.”

Question: What happened on Saturday, October 28, 2023?

Reply: I worked in the 012 Community of Madrid as a television cameraman and was speechless. For a few seconds I stopped feeling my hand, but then I felt it again. But he didn’t speak. The emergency personnel came and asked if I recognized any objects… It was a watch and glasses, but I didn’t know their names at that moment. They took me to the Ramon y Cajal hospital in Madrid, did a test and found that I had nine masses on my brain, then a few more tests and a diagnosis. Lung cancer with metastases to the brain, kidneys and liver.

Question: According to experts, it is very rare for non-smokers to develop lung cancer…

Reply: Indeed, this is a very, very small percentage, but it exists. One of the oncologists assured me that it was “impossible” to get lung cancer. The professional couldn’t believe it. And now I’m hitting another statistic…

Doctors tell me that my body absorbs the treatment very well.

LOYDA ZABALA

Question: For example, the results achieved in just four weeks of treatment… How do you explain this happy return?

A: The doctors tell me that my body absorbs the treatment very well and I am very grateful to life that everything is turning out this way. It was clear to me that I would beat cancer, but not so soon. In a month, more than half of what I had was taken away from me. The oncologists asked me to go step by step and under no circumstances gave me such a short time frame for progress. In fact, it was unthinkable that today he no longer has a tumor in his brain. They told me that we would see how much they cut to see if I could train. And suddenly it’s not in my brain and therefore I can now train as much as I want at a high level.

Question: Once you digest 12 grapes…

A: Do not be shy! On January 2, I resume all training. Of course, I have lost a lot during this time due to corticosteroids, but I will still train and give it my all. This is very clear.

Question: However, you returned to work much earlier…

A: I have been working since November 28th. I enjoy working and was looking forward to returning. The doctor asked me if I was sure I wanted to be discharged, and of course I was ready. Of course, I am now hospitalized again because the corticosteroids I was taking, which I have already finished, caused a thrombosis, which led to a number of complications. And now I’m on vacation because I didn’t want to take sick leave. This weekend I’m going out and taking the reins again.

“My main fear was not cancer, but…”

Question: How do you feel about news of this magnitude?

A: At first I was shocked. I couldn’t accept it. One might say, almost without emotion. The next day I began to accept that I had cancer and became worried. Losing my speech really bothered me. However, I thought that the Olympic Games were still ahead and I would be able to compete for them after treatment.

The key to everything is to focus on solutions rather than problems.

LOYDA ZABALA

Question: What about managing fear?

A: My main fear was not cancer, but loss of speech and/or mobility. Although this did not last long. If I had such a thought, it would quickly go away, because I don’t like wasting time on something that hasn’t happened yet.

Question: Sports has an inherent spirit that, transferred to the table of life, spurs on in difficult situations…

A: Definitely. The key to everything is to focus on solutions rather than problems. In the things you want to achieve. And this is what gets you out of difficult situations without even realizing it.

Question: Is an optimistic and happy mood an ally in defeating cancer cells?

A: I think this is important. If you’re emotionally unwell, you produce a lot of cortisol. This means that, ultimately, the body does not respond as well to certain treatments. If everything is fine with you, you produce endorphins and the body, let’s say, is more ready to fight and defend itself. So that has something to do with it, yes.

Question: We are entering the days of New Year’s resolutions. Your work, now bequeathed, motivates us to fight, overcome adversity and distinguish the vital grain from the empty good…

A: I am very surprised by the people with cancer who write to me… They tell me that I gave them hope, help is what I like the most, what an amazing thing. The issue is not the seriousness of what is troubling, but how each person perceives it. I think that we need a psychologist to solve certain issues, and there is nothing wrong with helping us. Focusing on solutions helps me. For example, today many people are worried about how much they will have to pay to the exchequer, so let’s see if it can be divided and that will make it easier for us. The main thing is to focus on solutions.