FORMER interior minister Jorge Fernández Díaz has just revealed that he was diagnosed with liver cancer 11 months ago, and that doctors at Navarra's University Clinic 'saved his life'.
Fernández Díaz (pictured), who resigned after being named in the infamous 'Panamá Papers' leaks and was then forced to turn down an international banking chair position due to public outcry that a politician suspected of tax evasion had been nominated by Spain's president for such a lucrative job, says a malignant tumour was found on his liver last March.
He underwent a very long and complex operation at the Pamplona hospital, then a pioneering form of treatment known as Selective Hepatic Radio-Embolisation, which involves radiotherapy 'chips' being inserted into the organ in the region of the tumour.
The ex-minister says he is nearing the end of an extended period of convalescence and is 'back up to between 75% and 80%' of his physical capacity.
“I'm fine. Thank God, I'm cured,” Fernández Díaz revealed in a very open, frank moment, spurred on by Saturday (February 4) having been World Cancer Day.
“The magnificent work of the medical team has saved me, and I have only words of gratitude and acclaim for them,” the former interior leader continued.
“Right now, I feel very good, I'm well, and what I'm waiting for now is to feel back at 100% of my physical capacity so I can get back to work.”
Fernández Díaz is chairman of the Petitions Commission in Spanish Parliament.
Given his then role as minister for the interior, Fernández Díaz decided only to confide in his closest circle about his health, and Spain's president Mariano Rajoy 'offered him support and extraordinary understanding at all times', he admits.
“I remember when, after my routine check-up, the doctors told me I was cured and said, 'don't forget you're cured and that you have saved your own life'. This stuck with me: it's not as if I've just got over an appendicitis – I've actually had my life saved.”
An experience such as this 'means a moment of sudden reflection on one's life', Fernández Díaz confesses.
“Is there any doubt that, when you live through a pathology of this type, there's a 'before and after' in your life?” he wonders out loud.
“This awareness that we're all mortal beings teaches you to put things into perspective.”
