Quiet Now.

31 YEARS AGO

The forward was bearing down on goal having entered the area from my left, I came off my line to close down the angle. He shot. My body smothered his effort, and the ball went out for a corner.

I was doubled up in pain as his shot had hit me square in the nuts. Needless to say, there was much laughter. Eventually I played on and the season ended soon after.

After waking up the next day with a heavily swollen testicle I went to the hospital where I was told it was a torsion, a twisting of the tubes. I was sent away to rest and told if it did not return to normal to see my GP.

Luckily, I was not convinced all was normal, saw my GP and following an ultrasound on November the 15^th was told that I had testicular cancer.

The story of my journey from that day on was published in my book “Please Sir Can I Have My Ball Back?”

It is fair to say that this event changed my outlook on life. Whenever opportunities presented themselves, I was going to grab them with both hands. Equally, if I saw people not acting appropriately, I was going to speak out and have continued to do so.

I have been prevented from doing my job because of it. I was even told that I could continue to commentate on one sport as long as I never wrote anything about it again! I have received numerous threats, including physical violence, but I am not going to change. As that was a promise I made to myself once I was given the all clear all those years ago.

TODAY.

Those who heard my commentary over the past four months on events in Australia and overseas will have noted that I was having problems with my voice.

I had a lingering cough that I just could not seem to shake. I had two courses of antibiotics prescribed, swallowed so many cough medicines and sucked so many lozenges. Some seemed to help but still it lingered.

I was deeply touched during this time by messages from people from all around the world, wishing me good health and hoping my voice returned to normal soon. It was so humbling, but also uplifting, so thank you all of you.

On my return home from the Asian Games, I returned to my doctor. I was sent for a scan. The results came back on the Friday, and a phone call told me I had to be in hospital on the Monday. I advised them that I could not go as my wife was going in that day, and I needed to be there for her.

So, she came out on the Wednesday, and I went in on the Thursday. I was told then that I had fluid on my left lung, and it looked like lung cancer, but more tests were needed.

The next day my worst fears were confirmed.

I have stage 4 advanced lung cancer. There is no chance of an operation.

The reason my voice had been affected was the growth was pushing against something and that was affecting my larynx. My apologies, I am not a medical person and have had so much information to take in this past ten days some details have been missed.

We are still waiting on the results of the biopsy to determine what type of cancer it is, and the treatment required. Once we know, I will be as committed to that and getting back to full health as I have been with everything I have done in life.

I may be low key for a while, but rest assured I will be back stronger than ever.

As for my voice, as that is the key to my earning a living, the doctors have said they are going to be looking at this in the coming weeks and will hopefully be able to correct it so that I can indeed resume work as soon as possible.

Finally, many who have heard the news have asked will there be a follow up to “Please Sir Can I Have My Ball Back?” It is probably too early to say, but one suggested title has been “Please Sir Can I have My Voice Back?” Which I have to say I rather like.

The good news is I now know why my voice was struggling. Treatment today has come a long way and there is no reason why with that treatment I cannot continue doing what I love for a number of years.

So, listen out, and when that day does come forgive me if at first, I stall a little. It will be to hold back the tears knowing that I am back to doing what I love which is to use my voice.