Nathan Adrian Makes Return to Weight Room After Surgery

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Photo Courtesy: Kara Sekenski

2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Adrian announced via social media that he made a return to the weight room this week after he underwent lymph node surgery last week.

Adrian wrote on Instagram:

“It may not be much, but it was a start! It felt great to get back to the Cal weight room where I belong! They have all the recovery modalities I need including the best Physical Therapist in the world so I can get back in shape soon.

“Through this entire experience I have to say, waiting on pathology/test results might just be the worst part. There is anywhere from 2-14 days (depending on the test) of not knowing whether you will be whisked away into treatment ASAP or that you are cancer free.

“The best way to deal with that, however, is to fight the urge to stay in bed with the curtains closed all day. So, we went to a great Super Bowl party yesterday and today we were cleared by my doctor to start getting back on track (slowly but surely).”

Adrian announced he was diagnosed with testicular cancer on January 25 and underwent surgery on January 29 to remove some of his lymph nodes that the cancer may have spread to.

View this post on Instagram

It may not be much, but it was a start! It felt great to get back to the @calathletics weight room where I belong! They have all the recovery modalities I need including the best Physical Therapist in the world so I can get back in shape soon ????. Through this entire experience I have to say, waiting on pathology/test results might just be the worst part. There is anywhere from 2-14 days (depending on the test) of not knowing whether you will be whisked away into treatment ASAP or that you are cancer free ??‍♂️. The best way to deal with that, however, is to fight the urge to stay in bed with the curtains closed all day. So, we went to a great Super Bowl party yesterday and today we were cleared by my doctor to start getting back on track (slowly but surely).

A post shared by Nathan Adrian (@nathangadrian) on Feb 4, 2019 at 5:44pm PST

Recently, Swimming World caught up with two-time Olympian Eric Shanteau in an exclusive interview about how he dealt with his testicular cancer diagnosis leading up to the 2008 Olympic Trials as well as how he had to visit with doctors to ensure he could compete at the Beijing Olympics six weeks after the Trials.

Nathan Adrian is still on the roster for the Pan American Games team where he qualified to do the 50 and 100 free. He is also on his sixth World Championships team later this summer where he was only going to swim the 4×100 free relay.

Adrian has not indicated if he will have to withdraw from both meets. USA Swimming officials said they will discuss that with Adrian if necessary. As for now, they are just concerned about the health of one of their athletes.

“My heart goes out to Nathan,” USA Swimming National Team Managing Director Lindsay Mintenko told Swimming World immediately after Adrian announced his diagnosis.

“Even at a time like this, Nathan is tackling his testicular cancer with his usual fearless and determined personality. Our thoughts are on his immediate health and when the time is right we will discuss Nathan’s upcoming schedule with him.

He has indicated that he is hopeful to compete in international competition this summer and we will do everything we can to help him in his recovery and to reach his goal.”

The World Championships team was selected from the A&B-Finals at Pan Pacs as well as the A-Final from Nationals. The top eight looks like this:

*on roster for Worlds

**individual spot for Worlds

**Blake Pieroni, 48.08 (Nationals)
**Caeleb Dressel, 48.22 (Pan Pacs)
*Nathan Adrian, 48.25 (Nationals)
*Townley Haas, 48.30 (Nationals)
*Zach Apple, 48.34 (Nationals)
*Michael Chadwick, 48.44 (Nationals)
Maxime Rooney, 48.56 (Nationals)
Ryan Held, 48.65 (Nationals)

If Adrian cannot swim at World Championships, the spot looks like it would open up to Maxime Rooney, who was seventh at Nationals.

Similarly, Grant Shoults qualified to swim the 400 free in Gwangju this summer but is currently nursing an injured shoulder. He told Swimming World he has to inform USA Swimming by June 20 if he can swim at World Championships, otherwise the spot would open up to Conor Dwyer.

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Linda Marino

5 years ago

Good news – wish him speedy recovery.

Joyce Krikorian

5 years ago

Wishing you a easy recovery.

Maria Teresa Arango Alvarez

5 years ago

Esa es la actitud CAMPEÓN!!!!???

Irene Hisham

5 years ago

Respect…

Maureen Mastroianni

5 years ago

Go get ‘em.