Ott Tänak’s wife, Janika Tänak, was diagnosed with a very aggressive breast cancer two years ago, which drastically changed the family’s daily life.
Fortunately, Janika’s cancer is now under control, but the time was still very challenging for the couple.
“It’s very difficult to forget such a moment. It will never be forgotten. In our case, there were several stages. The first moment was when we discovered that there was a strange lump somewhere,” Tänak said on an Estonian TV show, according to Estonian newspaper Postimees.
Janika went for tests, and the family’s ordeal began. Eventually, the rally champion’s wife underwent surgery.
“Eventually, the biopsies were done, and (Janika) went for surgery. That was the hardest part. There was hope and faith that the news would be good, but instead, very bad news came out,” Tänak recounted.
Tänak found out about his wife Janika’s aggressive breast cancer just before a competition. Tänak now admits that he even considered ending his career at that stage.
“It wasn’t even a matter of if it was necessary. Rather, at the beginning, even during all the chemotherapy treatments, I could be at home during the most difficult weeks and be present. Tänak said.
Janika’s condition worsened at the end of summer when a blood clot was found in her heart. At this point, Tänak felt that it was all too much.
“Then at some point, heart problems appeared, and we discovered a clot in the heart. At that moment, it seemed to me that it was all a bit too much. I think I was at the Rally Finland, and before the rally, I said that I would come home, that I couldn’t be away. But again, it was her wish that I had to continue,” Tänak recounted the tragic moments.
The article was updated on 29 May at 11:15: Tänak’s wife was diagnosed two years ago, not last year as previously mentioned in the article.
