17-11-2009, 09:23 PM
Poor man. He's still fighting and has been lifted by all the GWS messages. Let's hope he has the strength to keep fighting. The latest news is:
BATTLING soccer star John Hartson is bracing himself for more surgery.
The former Celtic, Arsenal, West Ham, West Brom and Wales striker has finished his latest round of chemotherapy, but says he is feeling much fitter and stronger.
In a candid interview, John, who was on a life-support machine at one stage during his cancer fight, talked openly about the difficult journey he and his family had been through and said he was not taking anything for granted though.
He said: "I've had 67 sessions of chemo. That did its best to zap my body. Anybody who has been through chemo will know it has its side-effects, the sickness, the diarrhoea, and the tiredness.
"I'm on the road to recovery now. I'm not out of the woods yet; I've got some scans to come and probably some surgery towards the end of the month when they see my scans."
I'm not getting carried away with the recovery I've made, I know there's a fair bit to go.'' Swansea-born John, once Britain's most expensive teenage football player, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July.
In a frank interview with radio station talkSPORT, the 34-year-old spoke freely about finding a lump in his testicles.
"The testicle itself became quite sore,'' he said.
"I'd come home and I'd say to the missus, 'I've got to get this looked at.'
"It was like a little marble (which I'd) left for about two to three years. So through all my clubs, West Brom and Celtic, I'd never gone to see the doctor about it.''
But the former Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr pupil said he was not embarrassed about going to the doctor over the lump, and he was referred to a hospital.
It was then doctors discovered how gravely ill the footballer was — as the cancer has spread to his lungs and brain.
"It got really bad. I was given a 50/50 chance," Hartson said.
"My dad spoke to my oncologist and his exact words to my dad were, 'We are not concerned about the cancer now, we're just trying to save John's life.'
"That's how close I came.''
However, John said he had made a good recovery so far and hoped to get back to his TV punditry work in the near future.
He also said he had been bowled over by people's generosity for his new cancer charity — The John Hartson Foundation.
Among those chipping in were players of Glynneath RFC who managed to raise £1,200 with a sponsored moustache fundraiser.
Team manager Brian Jones said 25 of his players grew the facial fuzz for five weeks.
"As well as sponsorship there was a system of fines in place for every player caught shaving or trimming his moustache,'' he added.
"We got some strange looks, but it was worth it.''
Source: thisissouthwales.co.uk
Best wishes to John and his family.
BATTLING soccer star John Hartson is bracing himself for more surgery.
The former Celtic, Arsenal, West Ham, West Brom and Wales striker has finished his latest round of chemotherapy, but says he is feeling much fitter and stronger.
In a candid interview, John, who was on a life-support machine at one stage during his cancer fight, talked openly about the difficult journey he and his family had been through and said he was not taking anything for granted though.
He said: "I've had 67 sessions of chemo. That did its best to zap my body. Anybody who has been through chemo will know it has its side-effects, the sickness, the diarrhoea, and the tiredness.
"I'm on the road to recovery now. I'm not out of the woods yet; I've got some scans to come and probably some surgery towards the end of the month when they see my scans."
I'm not getting carried away with the recovery I've made, I know there's a fair bit to go.'' Swansea-born John, once Britain's most expensive teenage football player, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July.
In a frank interview with radio station talkSPORT, the 34-year-old spoke freely about finding a lump in his testicles.
"The testicle itself became quite sore,'' he said.
"I'd come home and I'd say to the missus, 'I've got to get this looked at.'
"It was like a little marble (which I'd) left for about two to three years. So through all my clubs, West Brom and Celtic, I'd never gone to see the doctor about it.''
But the former Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr pupil said he was not embarrassed about going to the doctor over the lump, and he was referred to a hospital.
It was then doctors discovered how gravely ill the footballer was — as the cancer has spread to his lungs and brain.
"It got really bad. I was given a 50/50 chance," Hartson said.
"My dad spoke to my oncologist and his exact words to my dad were, 'We are not concerned about the cancer now, we're just trying to save John's life.'
"That's how close I came.''
However, John said he had made a good recovery so far and hoped to get back to his TV punditry work in the near future.
He also said he had been bowled over by people's generosity for his new cancer charity — The John Hartson Foundation.
Among those chipping in were players of Glynneath RFC who managed to raise £1,200 with a sponsored moustache fundraiser.
Team manager Brian Jones said 25 of his players grew the facial fuzz for five weeks.
"As well as sponsorship there was a system of fines in place for every player caught shaving or trimming his moustache,'' he added.
"We got some strange looks, but it was worth it.''
Source: thisissouthwales.co.uk
Best wishes to John and his family.