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‘Really scary’ reality that faced Noemie Fox in Jess’ health fight
Not even 12 months ago, Noemie Fox was coming to grips with the reality that her beloved sister Jess was being cut open to have a tumour removed.
Witnessing the remarkable comeback her sister has launched from her hospital bed – a comeback which this week has extended to a hat-trick of gold medals at the world championships – has blown Noemie away.
From left: Kate Eckhardt, Jess Fox and Noemie Fox after winning gold in the kayak teams event at the world championships this week. Romain Bruneau.
“It’s been so inspiring to see her come back as if she never left,” Noemie tells nine.com.au from the world titles in Oklahoma City.
“She has such strong technical and mental ability in this sport that you’d never know she went through that whole ordeal.
“I’m so proud of what she’s overcome.
“Seeing someone who is used to winning, and who is so mentally fit, allow herself to learn from zero again, give herself grace and progress at her own pace was amazing to watch.”
Noemie was on the other side of the world competing in World Cup tournaments when Jess went under the knife in August last year to have a benign tumour taken out of her left kidney.
It meant Noemie had to rely on FaceTime and the odd WhatsApp message to get updates on the struggle Jess was fighting.
“Finding out pretty quickly that it was benign was a huge relief, but it was still hard to deal with knowing what Jess was going through while being so far away,” Noemie recalls.
Noemie, 29, might be playing it down.
“It was really scary for her being so far away, not knowing how bad it was or how surgery went,” Jess recalls.
“She didn’t see me in the hospital with all the tubes and beeping.
“Getting updates from FaceTime, my parents and my partner was pretty hard on her mentally.”
Jess’ health scare robbed the three-time Olympic gold medallist of the chance to compete at a world championship on Australian – and Penrith – soil.
Jess Fox in hospital in August last year after having a tumour removed from her left kidney. Supplied.
As the Australian team for those world titles was read out, Jess and Noemie – proud Penrith locals – were bawling their eyes out.
When the time finally came for Jess to get back in a boat, she was tired after five minutes.
“And that was all very easy paddling,” the 32-year-old remembers.
“I couldn’t use my core.
“It felt like there was going to be a really long road ahead to get back to the shape I was in just a few weeks before the surgery.
“You might think you’re the fittest, healthiest Olympian and immune to these things, but you could still end up with a tumour in your kidney. Knowing when to get help and get things checked because something feels off is something I always encourage people to do.
“I’ve now had 11 months and rebuilt my strength. I’ve got a few more scars on my belly, but the core strength has come back and the feel on the water is there.”
Jess Fox celebrates winning the kayak singles at the world championships this week. Romain Bruneau
She has left no doubt about that.
On day one of the world championships, she struck gold in the kayak cross individual time trial.
On day two, she bagged a gold medal in the kayak teams event, alongside Noemie and Kate Eckhardt.
And another gold followed on day four in the kayak singles – a win that made her “so full of gratitude, and joy, and emotion”.
When the season wraps up, she will be off on a getaway.
“Surgery was definitely my body’s way of telling me to stop and slow down because I wasn’t taking a break voluntarily,” Jess says.
“It’s very important after this season to take a couple of weeks to switch off, go on a holiday, and let my body rest, so I can keep building towards LA.”
