Daily Rhebel:Sandy Jardine Praises Friends, Family & Fans Support

[JMorrison1872 320]

RANGERS legend Sandy Jardine told last night how his fight with cancer left him unable to eat.

The 64-year-old, who never smoked and was only an occasional drinker, admitted he was naive about the disease and the toll that treatment for throat and liver tumours would take on his body.

And he praised his doctors and the support of Rangers fans, his family and friends during the gruelling recovery.

It is a year since the former right-back began his treatment after going to the club doctor with a sore throat.

Within weeks, he had 80 per cent of his liver removed and spent 12 days in intensive care, battling an infection.

When he recovered, treatment started on his throat, which was when eating became difficult.

Sandy said: “It got too sore, so I had to be fed through a tube, which was quite tough. After all my treatment, my throat was also still really tender but finally I started to recover.

“Then, after about six weeks, I went in for another PET scan to see how I was and they found a hotspot on my third rib.

“It was a small cancerous spot, so they gave me high intensity radiotherapy to deal with it.

“That was about eight weeks ago now, so, hopefully, that’s me clear but you never know. You have to take it day by day.”

Having finished his treatment earlier this year, he’s struggled to cope with going from being fit, healthy, active and

hard-working, to finding it difficult to mow the lawn without taking a break.

And he’s relied on the help of Maggie’s Centre in Edinburgh to stay positive as he overcame the hurdles on the road to recovery, including a further cancer scare and a course of radiotherapy.

“The natural thing to think is, ‘Why me?’ as I’d led a very clean life,” he said.

“I had played until I was 40 and I kept training until I was about 55.

“The only reason I stopped was because my mum went into a nursing home and I didn’t have the time. But I was still very active. Working for Rangers and living in Edinburgh, I was travelling back and forth six days a week and enjoying my job.

“So to suddenly find out you’ve got cancer was a huge shock.

“When I first got diagnosed, I spoke to the doctor who said they would operate on my liver and once I’d recovered, they’d get my throat sorted out.

“They said the reason they could do this was because I had a high fitness level. If I didn’t have that, I might not have survived what they put me through.

“But I was naive. I didn’t want to go on websites and see cancer statistics as a lot of people who get throat cancer get it through drinking and smoking.

“I never smoked and hardly drank, either.

“I just had to put my trust in the doctors. When I went in for liver surgery, I thought I’d be in and out in about seven days. Little did I know I’d be in hospital for six-and-a-half weeks.”

After getting home last Christmas Eve, Sandy began daily hospital visits from January to May for throat treatment.

Sandy’s story confirms that mental strength is as important as physical in fighting cancer and he believes his career helped in that respect, too.

He said: “Playing at a high level, you toughen up. You’ve got high motivation, you’re single-minded, you’re used to routines and you’re used to making sacrifices. When I was going through the treatment, that stood me in good stead.

“The support of my wife and family and friends was fantastic and I must have got more than 1000 letters from supporters.

“I never had the energy to reply as there was that many. Then on a Saturday, I had the supporters applauding me at two minutes. It was awesome.”

It was only after finishing the treatment that Sandy began to feel down.

“I wasn’t prepared for the recovery process. I found that harder than getting all the treatments,” he said. “When the doctors and nurses are there, it’s dead easy to go in and say, ‘I’m not feeling so well’, and they’ll do something. But once you’ve finished, they need to move on to other patients and it was hard to adjust.

“Everyone is different with cancer and I wasn’t aware of certain things, such as the tiredness and fatigue.

“I’ve no saliva glands, either, now, which makes it quite difficult to eat certain things, so it’s about trying to re-adjust your life.”

Having been a regular at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital, Sandy visited Maggie’s Centre in the hospital grounds, where he found the support he needed.

“I just walked in and I was welcomed. It was explained that there were a lot of people who had been through what I’d been through and who could relate to me,” he said.

“I thought I’d been through a tough time but I was sitting with two guys whose cancer was terminal. It gave me a jolt and made me realise how lucky I am.

“It’s a shock to go from being fit and active to waking up in the morning and being barely able to lift your hand.

“When I was in hospital for liver surgery, and being there for six-and-a-half weeks in bed the whole time, I lost all my muscle.

“The physiotherapist came round and they teach you to get up and walk again but I couldn’t do it. I got a panic attack. These are all the wee hurdles you’ve got to overcome.

“But I know I’m getting better as I like gardening and four or five months ago when I was cutting the grass I’d need three rests in-between. Now I can do it all in one go.”

Other milestones include returning to Ibrox and unfurling the Division Three flag on the first day of the season in August.

He’s now a regular at home games and hopes to be able to attend away games in the future.

On October 27, he will be honoured by supporters, ex-players and friends at a sold-out tribute dinner at Glasgow’s Thistle Hotel, with Maggie’s Centre receiving some of the proceeds.

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I know it is a story from the Rhebel but thought it was worthwhile posting

The word legend is flung about far too much in football nowadays but this man is the true definition of a legend and a true Rangers man!!

[RM Monitor And Standards Officer 112,972]

It's a cunt of a disease and hopefully he beats it

[JMorrison1872 320]

Likewise mate.

The guy is a fighter, he will beat this.

[Young Bob 1,360]

Hopefully this is behind him for good.

[elephants stoned 2,994]

Yeah its a horrible disease and Sandy is a fighter always has been and he has had the biggest fight of his life but hes winning it and this is one man who truely knows the meaning of No Surrender

[EastBelfastGer 66]

I'm sure that talking to the Daily Record is frowned upon by certain factions on here.

[JMorrison1872 320]

I'm sure that talking to the Daily Record is frowned upon by certain factions on here.

I think you'll find it is frowned upon when discussing club matters. None of the media outlets in the country deserve our clubs breaking news!!

This is a personal interview about his personal life, the man can talk to who he likes

[Straight-Edge-Loyal 6,700]

Said it before i'm not old enough to remember Sandy as a player but for what he has done since admin and his personal struggle I will always respect him all the best Sandy.

[Bootlaces 38]

My faithers favourite player.

Stay well Sandy, keep yourself tip top before getting into the firing line.

We are all saying a prayer.

[BlueRD 138]

Great player,probably the best right back we've had during my time. I wish him well.

[allgers 735]

A credit to the Club.

[Bahrain Bear 52]

Too young to have seen Sandy play for the Gers, but was going to the games by the time he was playing against us for Hearts. Sure him and Alex MacDonald were Co-Player Managers at the time! Anyway, he was fit enough to play decent football to midlle age and hopefully his fitness will see him through. Aw the best.

[Copland bear 7,966]

Sandy, sandy, sandy in royal blue, we're all crazy over the likes of you. Caught the end of his career, left too early and played great for Hearts for the next few years with Alex McDonald. Lets hope he beats the awful disease.

[UKIP BEAR 370]

Great player,probably the best right back we've had during my time. I wish him well.

No probably about it mate.

Sandy is the best right back in The Rangers history.

[Corky True Legend 2,682]

A class playet and a gentleman to boot. Having had chemo & radiotherapy myself, I know exactly how tiring and frustrating life can be immediately afterwards. I could not go up stairs without a bannister to hold on to. Unlike Sandy, however, I had only myself to blame having smoked for over 40 years. Have not touched one since I was admitted to ARI. Like Sandy, I have nothing but the highest praise for the medical staff - these are the people who deserve £850,000 pa. Sandy, I have been clear now for almost 2 years and hopefully can encourage you by saying that things do get better as each day passes. Keep the faith. You deserve the best.

[1st_Jan_1994 4,868]

He's brave and a fighter

Seen him on TV yesterday and I hardly recognised him