r/cancer • u/Admirable-Remove8190 • 2d ago
Patient Recovery as a footballer
Hey guys,
I just wanted to say at the start of this, i’m really not posting this to ask for sympathy or anyone to feel sorry for me etc. I’ve just turned 21, and I got over the fact I was diagnosed with cancer about 2 days in, and my mindset has just been getting through the treatment and staying positive throughout.
I’ve now completed the treatment, and am due to have a scan to get the official “cancer-free” in a few weeks, which i’m sure will be positive.
My problem is this. A lot of my self worth comes from my ability to play footy to a good level, I play at uni and in quite a good saturday team (not pro or anything but with a good group of players). The cancer has absolutely ravaged my body to be honest, i’ve put on about 8kgs of weight, lost all my muscle and pretty much all my fitness and ability on the ball after 6 months of no exercise and fighting this disease.
What this whole ordeal has given me is motivation, and a different level of it. I can’t explain how badly I want to get back to the fitness/ athleticism levels I was at pre-cancer, but I also really want to go above and beyond and push myself to play football to as high a standard as possible whilst i’m young and able to physically do so.
I guess what i’m really asking for is advice, or anyone with knowledge of recovering from an illness like this or just getting unfit players back in shape in both the most efficient and effective way possible. Whether it’s nutrition advice, advice to fix my body composition, advice for getting my technique back, anything AT ALL is welcome.
I will not let this beat me, but that doesn’t mean the recovery is going to be easy, so any advice/help at all is appreciated - even if it’s just pointing me towards the right people. I was tempted to reach out to some high level coaches on things like linkedin for some advice but thought this might be a bit unrealistic.
Just as a final note, i’m a centre-back who is 5’10, so I used to rely on my athletic ability and strength a lot in battles with taller strikers. My coach has been enquiring about converting me to a right back because he thought I had more to offer further up the pitch but not sure whether this will happen for a while now.
cheers lads - really really means a lot
3
u/DishwasherLint 1d ago
Give yourself time. Chemo destroys your body. It will take time to rebuild yourself and get back in shape. I am about 2 months out of my last round of chemo. The final PET scan didn't show that I had any lymphomas left. What I'm having problems with is the neuropathy. I feel like my body is overusing my nerves and muscles trying to make up for it. Life is different now and I expect it will get better, but I expect to never have the same sort of normalcy and expectations I had for myself that I did before.