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OMAR HENRY: "I COULD LITERALLY BE DEAD TOMORROW"

By David Kassel | December 12, 2012
OMAR HENRY:

"Hopefully Thursday, everything is okay and when I wake up, I'll know exactly what's going on and the cancer will be gone.  They said I'm going to wake up with tubes in my mouth and I'll be really out of it.  I will find out tomorrow if I'm free of the cancer, or if I won't be here to see 2013.  That's what they told me.  Life and death has never come so close, especially since I was so close to the top and being close to the top of my career.  I was about to headline Showtime at 25 years old, in the prime of my career. Now, I could literally be dead tomorrow, and this is the scariest thing I can think of.  God has a purpose for everything, so we can't question God.  I have no idea what's going to happen," stated undefeated jr. middleweight Omar Henry, who was forced to pull out of his scheduled bout last month due to gallstones only to find out that he has cancer. You don't want to miss what he had to say!

DK: Omar, thanks for taking some time to speak with us.  I know things have not been very easy for you lately since you've been in the hospital for a month now.  Before we get into anything else, how are you feeling?

OH: As of right now, I got a lot of mixed feelings.  Overall, I feel blessed. I'm living right now, but I've been taking it one day at a time because it makes my head hurt and body ache thinking too far ahead into the future.

DK: Let's talk about exactly what is going on with you.  You were scheduled to be the main event on ShoBox, November 16th, and the week of the fight, you started not to feel right.  Tell us about that first.

OH: It was kinda like the week before the fight, I started feeling weak.  My body's down, which is normal because you're shedding weight and things like that, but the week of the fight, I couldn't even run and I was holding my side.  Usually, if you're holding your side, that means you aren't in shape.  But I was in the best shape of my life because I was training for the fight.  My trainer said my eyes were yellow, so I went to the ER figuring they could give me something to take care of it, and I could leave and still fight.  But when I got there, that's when everything started happening, and they told me you're not going anywhere.  They said it was my gall bladder and that was only supposed to be a week at the most.  It was kinda weird because they kept me there and kept taking pictures.  I still had pain and it had been weeks, and they said we had to keep taking pictures, but they wouldn't tell me anything.  Then, they finally said the C word, "Cancer," and I said that's impossible.  I'm 25. I don't smoke or drink.  I'm in great shape.  So it was a shock and it went on from there.  They kept taking pictures and realized I have gall bladder cancer.  The cancer is wrapped around my gall bladder and has gotten to my liver as well.  They have to take out ¾ of my liver as well; however, with the pictures you can't see everything.  Tomorrow (Thursday), they're opening me up to take out the cancer they know about.  They told me if there's more than they thought and it has spread, they may not be able to do anything for me.  If it's everywhere, then I might be a goner.  Hopefully Thursday, everything is okay and when I wake up, I'll know exactly what's going on and the cancer will be gone.  They said I'm going to wake up with tubes in my mouth and I'll be really out of it.  I will find out tomorrow if I'm free of the cancer, or if I won't be here to see 2013.  That's what they told me.  Life and death has never come so close, especially since I was so close to the top and being close to the top of my career.  I was about to headline Showtime at 25 years old, in the prime of my career. Now, I could literally be dead tomorrow, and this is the scariest thing I can think of.  God has a purpose for everything, so we can't question God.  I have no idea what's going to happen.

DK: So you may wake up tomorrow and find out there is nothing they can do?

OH: Exactly.

DK: All I can say is people are praying for you, and people are keeping you in their thoughts.  I have a good feeling you're going to wake up tomorrow and everything is going to be okay.

OH: There's been so much support all over the world, and it's been humbling.   Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, from Germany, the U.K., Europe.  It's pouring in from everywhere and it's because of boxing.  I feel so blessed.  Within 4 years, I just appreciate all the great memories.  It's all in God's hands now.  In the beginning, people were saying I was scared, and making up stuff, but now they're saying it's real.  I'll fight anybody, and it just goes to show those other people that are silent now that this is real. You and I, Dave, and those people know exactly who I'm talking about.  This is life and death and I'm just staying positive.  Hopefully, I'll be talking to you at the end of the week, but if not, I'll see you on the other side. 

DK: Well, I'm planning on speaking with you at the end of the week. I have a good feeling everything is going to be alright.

OH: Thanks Dave.  You've always been a cool guy and always willing to do an interview and let me speak my peace and supporting me.  Hopefully, I'll be talking to you with good news.

DK: Get some rest tonight, and come through okay tomorrow.

OH: Alright Dave, see ya.

Email comments and questions to dkassel@fighthype.com, follow me on Twitter @BoxingObserver, and "Like" The Boxing Observer on Facebook.



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