A Closer Look at Eric Berry: From the Hospital Bed to the Football Field

In sports , we tend to see players leave the game that they love so dearly for a number of reasons: to spend more time with families, injuries, or fatigue. There are a few number of players that are forced to leave the game due to chemical reasons. Eric Berry was the latest to do so.  Most people who have gone what he's gone through don't always survive, let alone compete with the best athletes on our planet.  So how has his journey from the hospital bed to the football field been? Simply Amazing.

The Diagnosis

With just a few weeks remaining in the most crucial part of the regular season, Berry lets his team and trainers know that he is experiencing chest pain in the middle of his game against the Oakland Raiders. After receiving a chest X-Ray, Berry was diagnosed with lymphoma. Berry was put on the Chiefs illness list.

What exactly is Lymphoma? 

So what exactly is Lymphoma? Well, lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. Lymphoma occurs when a white blood cell becomes abnormal. When this cell becomes abnormal, parallel to other cells, they split and divide into more cells. As these cells continue to divide and increase, the immune system begins to weaken because of the large number of depleted white blood cells. The most common symptoms of this disease is fatigue and loss of appetite, chest pain, and weight loss.  In addition to fatigue, lumps throughout different sections of the body form.  This cancer has affected  between 20,000 and 200,000 people each year. This cancer is rare, and what is interesting about this scenario is that most people who get that are 60 and over. Berry was only 25 when it was first discovered.

One of the symptoms of lymphoma are lumps appearing on the body. In this display, the lump is on the neck. The left image displays lymph nodes.

Patience is a Virtue 

After being diagnosed, the staff at Emory University Hospital was determined to aid Berry back on the field. The process of healing depends mainly two things: chemotherapy and patience. When treating lymphoma , there are two main types of regiments: ABVD or Standford V. While ABVD is known as the complete standard treatment,  Standford V is moreso likely to be used  in advanced stages of lymphoma. Each of these treatments can be given in the form of a pill,  in liquid form, or injection. A possible combination of chemotherapy and radiation or stem cell can be used. 

Depending on the route the doctor decided to take in Berry's specific case, Berry could have been receiving chemotherapy and medicine to treat the side effects at the same time. This is clearly a tedious and tough task for anyone, feeling drained from the therapy on a daily basis. Nevertheless, the goal remains the same: cure cancer. 

Back Again

Late in July of 2015, the Chiefs announced that Eric Berry was cleared to resume physical activity. This was wonderful news for all NFL fans. Berry left as one of the best safeties in the league, and was forced to stop. After nine long months of treatment, Berry not only recovered, but he also recovered with the ability to return to play with the pigskin once again. Good luck with the rest of the season, Mr. Berry!