Cancer drama surrounding daughter of football star Dennis Diekmeier

14-year-old Delani Diekmeier recently had to have a tumor removed. Now the family has received another shock: the cancer has spread.

A few weeks ago, Dana Diekmeier, the wife of former soccer star Dennis Diekmeier, made tragic news public on her Instagram account: a tumor was discovered on their daughter Delani's kidney. "We share many moments from our lives with you. Most are positive. Unfortunately, not all of them," the mother of four wrote to her followers at the time.

On her channel, Dana Diekmeier kept fans up to date with updates on Delani's condition. At first, everything looked good: the 14-year-old had survived the operation well and was able to leave the hospital about a week later. She was supposed to recover in peace at home with her parents and her three younger siblings.

But now the next shock followed for the family. "Although the malignant tumor on Delani's kidney was completely removed, it unfortunately spread to the lungs and metastases grew there. These can only be combated with strong chemotherapy ," Dana Diekmeier said on Instagram on Tuesday.

"Because it is such a rare and serious disease, the next few months will be a difficult time for all of us," she is aware, but she is determined to fight: "Despite this terrible diagnosis, we are positive and firmly believe that it will work. There is no stronger and braver girl than Delani. So she will kick cancer's ass!"

Dennis Diekmeier was a professional for 15 years, playing for 1. FC Nürnberg and Hamburger SV, among others. Last year, the 35-year-old ended his active career and now works as an assistant coach at SV Sandhausen . The footballer has been married to his wife since 2010 and they have four children.