Scotland rugby player Emma Wassell has tumour removed from chest in sternotomy procedure

Emma Wassell has had a tumour removed from her chest after undergoing a sternotomy at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The Scotland international rugby player thanked the medical staff at the hospital following the procedure as she began her recovery.

Two months ago, the 29-year-old Loughborough Lightning lock pulled out of Bryan Easson’s squad for games against Australia, Italy, Japan, South Africa and Wales after being diagnosed.

In a statement back in September, she said that the sport would be “put on hold” following an emergency biopsy surgery.

Wassell, who has 67 caps for the national team, revealed that she had initially gone to hospital with what she thought was a bit of bread stuck in her throat, before doctors found the tumour.

On Tuesday, she posted to social media from her hospital bed saying the tumour had been removed and hopes it will be “the end of a crazy old chapter” as she begins a period of resting, recovering and healing.

She wrote on Instagram: “From emergency biopsy surgery in August to a full Sternotomy in November.

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A post shared by Emma Wassell (@emmawassell)

“Tumour removed, with a pretty cool scar to back it up and what is hopefully, the end of a crazy old chapter.

“Grateful beyond words to every doctor and nurse at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for the care I’ve been given not only this past week but when I was first admitted in August – doing gods work!

“And finally, my friends and family – you are truly unmatched and I could not have made it through any of this without you.

“For now, I’ve been granted full princess mode whilst I rest, recover and heal. It ain’t all bad folks.”

Wassell had just returned to international duty in April after withdrawing from the Six Nations squad last year following the death of her mother, Pauline.