Two months post-surgery, Shivarajkumar opens up on his recovery: 'I still get tired, but...'

It’s been two months since Kannada cinema’s Century Star Shivarajkumar had surgery to remove a cancerous bladder and have it reconstructed with portions of his small intestine – a procedure that was done at the Miami Cancer Institute in Florida. After a month of recuperation in Miami, the actor returned to India in late January and has been getting stronger by the day. He’s not at a 100% yet, but he’s steadily getting there, as revealed in a conversation on the Masth Magaa podcast.

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Shivarajkumar on life with a neobladder

Without getting into details, Shivarajkumar reveals that having a neobladder is a different experience, but he’s begun enjoying the process. The actor says that he’s been coping well and has been getting good sleep and has learnt how to use it, referring to the improved bladder control and draining process. He’s in no pain from the procedure, but admits to still getting tired, which his doctors have told him is normal, considering that he’s had a major surgery and multiple sessions of chemotherapy.

For someone like Shivarajkumar, who was always on his feet and moving from project to project, the current slow pace of life does feel strange, but he realizes the importances of taking it easy. “I can’t push myself too much and too soon. I’ve been walking a lot to regain my stamina. Since my abdomen was opened for the surgery, I can’t bend easily, so, workouts are restricted to walking and strength training for the arms only,” he says, adding that he’s been getting well over 10,000 steps a day.

Through the course of his treatment, which began in April last year, including a few surgeries and chemotherapy, Shivarajkumar says that he’s lost some weight (nearly 10 kgs), but he’s on the mend, which is reflecting in his skin tone as well, he says. “There are no diet restrictions, but my appetite has reduced,” he adds.

Also read: Shivarajkumar health update: Madhu Bangarappa details Century Star’s surgery and current status 

Shivarajkumar on his return to work

Although the doctors cleared him to resume work that’s not too physically challenging, Shivarajkumar has been taking it easy, a luxury he could afford because he’d even finished dubbing for 45 before he left to the US. On March 2, he says, he will return to the set of the unnamed 131stfilm, which is still in early stages. By the 5th he heads to Hyderabad for his portions in Ram Charan’s next.