Former WWE wrestler Matt Cappotelli had surgery to remove part of a brain tumor just last month, and he shared awful news regarding his health situation Wednesday night.
"Update: Diagnosis is in.
I have a grade IV GlioBlastoma Multiforme (GBM).
This is not the news I was looking forward to hearing or sharing, but it will in no way deter me from continuing my fight. Spinal tap this Friday will determine if the cancer cells have spread to my spinal fluid. Monday is a follow up with my team of doctors to determine the treatment steps needed to beat this. Thanx to everyone on #TEAMCAPP?'?"
According to MDAnderson.org, GlioBlastoma Multiforme is the "most aggressive and are very infiltrative - they spread into other parts of the brain quickly." It is considered the most malignant of gliomas.
Cappotelli is scheduled for a spinal tap on Friday to determine if the cancer cells have spread to his spinal fluid.
The news follows his latest update detailing the 9- or 10-hour surgery.
From his Facebook page:
"To give everyone the best update I can, here we go. The doctors said my surgery was very successful and they were able to accomplish exactly what they set out to do. From start to finish the surgery took between 9 and 10 hours. I can't tell you how much respect and love I have for the staff at Norton Brownsboro Hospital, you are all truly amazing people. As I stated before, there is still an inoperable portion of tumor in my brain stem that will have to be dealt with at a later time. The game plan for now is for me to get as healthy and rested as possible and wait on the pathology results to come back. Once we have the pathology report in a few weeks, we will know what type of tumor we're dealing with and how to attack the portion in my brain stem with the most effective treatment protocol. The fight will continue, this is just the next step. Thanks for all of your prayers, messages, and kind words, I LOVE YOU ALL"
Cappotelli and his wife, Lindsay, initially asked for prayers weeks ago before he had the procedure on the operable part of the tumor. Cappotelli has since been released from the hospital and has posted pictures on his Facebook of him walking and working out.
Cappotelli, a former football player at Western Michigan, won the Tough Enough III competition back in 2003, which earned him a WWE contract. Cappotelli made various appearances on WWE television before being sent to the company's developmental territory OVW in 2004. Cappotelli was still working there when his brain tumor was first discovered in 2007, and his WWE contract eventually expired in 2009.
Cappotelli currently works as a trainer for OVW.
We wish him and his family the best as they deal with this diagnosis.
