From WWE.com: WWE Hall of Famer â<80><9c>Rowdyâ<80> Roddy Piper has been diagnosed with Hodgkinâ<80><99>s lymphoma. Also known as Hodgkinâ<80><99>s disease, Hodgkinâ<80><99>s lymphoma is a form of cancer found in the bodyâ<80><99>s lymphatic tissue. The lymphatic system helps filter out bacteria and is important in fighting diseases. Piper was sent home early from WWEâ<80><99>s early-November tour of the United Kingdom and hospitalized for surgery, where doctors removed a mass at the spinal cord with an enlarged lymph node. The mass was completely removed, but the lymph node was positive for Hodgkinâ<80><99>s lymphoma. Radiation therapy is used to treat Hodgkinâ<80><99>s lymphoma; it is an extremely successful procedure, so the prognosis is very good for Piper.
Lita did an interview with WWE.com. She noted â<80><9c>Iâ<80><99>ll have a lot of memories with me and a lot of experiences with me but Iâ<80><99>m ready to keep moving ahead,â<80> Lita confessed. â<80><9c>Iâ<80><99>ve been looking around the locker room and there arenâ<80><99>t many people left that were here when I started. Itâ<80><99>s a sad time, but I know this is right.” She also noted â<80><9c>[Edge] is so close to me and he has heard me weigh out these options and talk about my feelings,â<80> Lita said. â<80><9c>He is supportive and he understands my decision.â<80> Despite their deep bond, Lita candidly explained that her intentions to leave sports-entertainment began in mid-2005 with the onset of very personal issues involving Edge. When Litaâ<80><99>s relationship with the Rated-R Superstar became publicized and broadcast on WWE programming each week, the former Womenâ<80><99>s Champion experienced a drastically sharp transformation. â<80><9c>It felt like even if I was walking the dog there was going to be someone yelling â<80>~You screwed Mattâ<80><99> out the window,â<80> she recalled. â<80><9c>It really took a toll on me; it affected every aspect of my life. Although thatâ<80><99>s passed now, the weight of that situation stays with me every day.â<80> She added, â<80><9c>I feel like there is no way for me to escape the whole feeling that I have from being involved in such a public affair. Thereâ<80><99>s no other alternative for me than to walk away.â<80> She also noted to WWE.com that â<80><9c>Iâ<80><99>ve had an awesome career and Iâ<80><99>m more confident in the ring today than I ever have been,â<80> Lita claimed. â<80><9c>But, Iâ<80><99>ve made my mark. There is no hidden meaning behind my leaving; this is just me needing to take a break.â<80> â<80><9c>Coming in and showing a new Diva that sheâ<80><99>s not hot stuff would be fun,â<80> she mused. â<80><9c>I have the utmost respect for the amazing experiences I have had here and I am keeping the door open. Iâ<80><99>ll figure that out when it comes.â<80>
