Roman Reigns On Fans Thinking His Leukemia Battle Was A Storyline

Roman Reign is featured in the Autumn 2019 edition of the Leukaemia Matters magazine. You can download the full PDF issue by clicking here.

It was noted that Reigns is quick to dispel any myths around his battle with leukemia. There was speculation among fans that Reign' leukemia announcement was a part of some sort of storyline when he took time off last year, or that they weren't being given the whole story.

"I think there is ignorance of leukaemia. The word alone is intimidating. 'Leukaemia' it sounds like a cancer word. It sounds like it could take your life," Reigns said. "What people haven't realised is the different phases. That's the whole thing about me and this huge WWE platform, that's why I want people to know. I want people to understand that it's not what people see in the movies. We're in a different place now; we are making advancements, there are things we are doing to help people and save lives ? we just don't always concentrate on those things."

Reigns also talked about the perceptions of what a cancer patient looks like. He said there are very specific reasons why he maintains the look and the health that he has.

"In the media, what we like to talk about is very controversial, that's what we want to discuss," Reigns said. "We don't want to discuss the good moments or 'the wins'. With my story and the help of my medication, and the medical breakthroughs that we have, I think it's very important to understand that. We are winning some of these battles. There are very specific reasons why I am maintaining the look and the health that I have, and it's important that people know that."

He also addressed arguments about whether his treatment can be classed as a chemotherapy in the more traditional sense, arguments that were made mainly in the wrestling media and social media platforms.

"I take an oral chemotherapy," Reigns said, taking a more serious tone. "I don't have to go in for radiation. The analogy I use is that I went to war, but I didn't shoot my gun. Now the question seems to be 'have you suffered enough?' or 'you're not as bad as this person'. Why should I be as bad as the next person? Do I have to be as bad as the next person to be in a bad way? We're all different and we all have our own journeys. I'm not going to belittle my story or be ashamed of it just because I didn't suffer as much as the next person. I would never ask that or never want it to be. I'm very fortunate for how my life has turned out, and the struggles that I've met and thankfully conquered. I'm good where I'm at and I don't need anything worse to prove anything to anybody else.

"This is what I feel when people see me in that ring, when they know I came through what happened to me and still do something like being a performer and throwing my body around in front of millions of people. The fact that I am still able to do that, I think that should give a lot of hope to people that they can lead a normal life and can still capture their dreams."

The treatments Reigns is under often come with side effects ranging from muscle cramps and pain to fatigue. He previously revealed that the treatments have caused some arthritis. He talked more about the effects that the tablets have on his daily love.

"Some days it makes me a little nauseous; I do a good job in trying to keep everything down and not going the full way in terms of being sick," he said. "It can disrupt your stomach a little bit. You have to change some of your eating habits. I can't take in as much protein as I used to. In terms of my alcohol, I've got to be that guy who kind of sits on the side of the party here and there, I'll maybe have myself a glass of wine. For the most part, it's out completely. I can't really go in the sun as much, I have hyperpigmentation from my medication. There are a few different effects, but at the end of the day, I woke up. I'd rather deal with a few side effects here and there and continue to wake up every day."