Current:Home > MarketsOlympian Madeline Musselman Details Husband’s Support Amid His Stage 4 Lung Cancer Diagnosis -ValueCore
Olympian Madeline Musselman Details Husband’s Support Amid His Stage 4 Lung Cancer Diagnosis
View
Date:2025-04-18 03:39:02
Madeline Musselman has her biggest cheerleader by her side while she goes for the gold in Paris.
The U.S. women’s water polo player is currently competing at the 2024 Olympics—an event that her husband Pat Woepse shared he was determined to be present for months after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
“There [are] fears and doubts that creep in,” Madeline, who met Pat in 2022, told NBC Los Angeles. “But I don't think they possess my mind all the time. And I think our faith is a huge part of that.”
Shortly after learning of Pat’s diagnosis, which as he explained, is rare due to the specific mutation, the couple decided to get married as soon as possible.
“All the people that came together to make it happen within four days,” Madeline shared of their October 2023 nuptials, “it was pretty crazy. We had flowers. We had a church that welcomed us with open arms to marry us. It was just a perfect weekend.”
After their wedding, Madeline began her Olympic training, but noted that there were instances she wanted to hold off to support Pat—also an athlete who even once swam across the English Channel—through his chemotherapy treatments.
“But he’s like, ‘No, you have to go to practice,’” she shared. “Obviously I want him to know that I’m there, but yeah, it’s been hard.”
“This was my biggest goal, with everything being so unknown,” he told the outlet shortly after her game July 31. “So pretty emotional, emotional day for me. Couldn’t be more thrilled to be here to support Maddie and the team.”
And though they kept some details of Pat’s health journey private, Madeline shared they decided to open up about their life as a way to connect with others.
“We're sharing our story not for people to feel sorry for us or feel bad for what we're going through,” she noted. “If anything, it's for inspiration and that you can get to the other side of things with the people that are right next to you, we hope for that.”
(E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (489)
Related
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Biden orders Secret Service protection for RFK Jr. following Trump assassination attempt
- Spain clinches record 4th European Championship title, beating England 2-1
- Griff talks new album 'Vertigo' and opening for Taylor Swift during Eras Tour
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Tornado hits Des Moines, weather service confirms. No injuries reported
- RHONJ’s Danielle Cabral Confirms the Season 14 Finale Is Just as Shocking as You'd Expect
- Swap Sugary Drinks for a 33% Discount on Poppi Prebiotic Soda Before Amazon Prime Day 2024 Ends
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- North Korean leader's sister hints at resuming flying trash balloons toward South Korea
Ranking
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Jurors in Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial in deliberations for 2nd day
- Joe Bryant, Kobe Bryant's Dad, Dies From Stroke 4 Years After Son's Fatal Plane Crash
- Judge refuses to extend timeframe for Georgia’s new Medicaid plan, only one with work requirement
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Shop Amazon Prime Day's Back to School Deals: Classroom & Dorm Essentials for Every College Student
- Want to retire but can't afford it? This strategy could be right for you.
- Dollar General to pay $12 million for alleged violations including blocking exits
Recommendation
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
A happy retirement: Marine K-9s reunite with first handlers
New Jersey Democrats set to pick candidate in special House primary for Donald Payne Jr.'s seat
California needs a million EV charging stations — but that’s ‘unlikely’ and ‘unrealistic’
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
Singer Ingrid Andress says she was drunk during panned MLB anthem performance, will get treatment
Video shows woman's scarily close encounter with grizzly. She says she'd still 'choose the bear.'
Shannen Doherty, ex-husband Kurt Iswarienko's divorce settled a day before her death: Reports