John Hartson [Looking better for him now]

[Leyton388]

Poor John it is not looking good at all. It seems to have spread pretty quick and will only spread to his other organs but i hope i am wrong and he recovers.


Makes all this stem cell research worth it imo as that looks like the best way to beat diseases.

[Vermilion]

Good luck to this chap too. Not a famous name i know, but supports a very famous club and has similar problems as Big John, although not at such a young age.

http://www.crosbyherald.co.uk/news/crosby-news/2009/07/16/brave-lollipop-man-s-liverpool-fc-title-wish-68459-24163772/

Brave lollipop man's Liverpool FC title wish

Jul 16 2009 by Tom Duffy, Crosby Herald

Crosby Lollipop man and Liverpool fan George Murphy aims to beat cancer and see Jamie Carragher win the league

AN AWARD-winning lollipop man diagnosed with terminal cancer is preparing to wave goodbye to the pupils at Ursuline Primary School for what could be the last time.

George Murphy, who returned to work earlier this year after surviving colon surgery and chemotherapy, has now been told that the cancer has spread to his liver and lung.

Doctors told him he may only have three months to live, as he is not strong enough to survive another operation and has declined chemotherapy.

He will say farewell to the pupils and staff at Ursuline when the school breaks up for the summer holidays on Wednesday (July 22) not knowing if he will see their faces again.

George is taking strength from his Roman Catholic faith, passion for Liverpool FC and the optimism of neighbours and friends who all seem to know of some one who has triumphed over a 'months to live' prognosis.

George scooped second prize at the NHS Sefton Health Champion Awards and thanked Ursuline primary head teacher Mark McQueen for nominating him.

He refuses to be downcast about his own prognosis and says he would love to see local hero Jamie Carragher hold up the Premier League trophy.

George, who lives at Earl’s Close with wife Doreen, said: “All the staff and pupils at Ursuline have been wonderful to me. Some of the pupils had grown to my height in the six months since I had seen them.

"In all my years at the school I have never had a cross word with a pupil. They are all so respectful and polite to me. When I returned to work after my operation they would all rush around me like little ants and say ‘We missed you George.’

“That was nice. And today a parent gave me some flowers, just to say thanks.

“Everyone keeps saying how well I look, and it hard to believe that anything is wrong. I feel fine.

“I am a life-long Liverpool FC fan. Billy Liddell was my first idol, followed by Kenny Dalglish.

In recent years I have grown to admire Jamie Carragher for his community work, and I really rate Torres and Alonso.

“As for the future, what will be will be. I would like to live to see Liverpool win the league, but don't hold your breath.

Mr McQueen said: “George has dedicated himself to improving the health and well being of children from Ursuline and other neighbouring schools by ensuring they cross the road safely.

“What makes George stand out is that he had major surgery as treatment for cancer.

“After this he would be forgiven for wanting to put his feet up, as most people of his age do.

“Not a bit of it. He is still out there in all weathers dealing with motorists.

“He is always cheerful and has what seems like an infinite supply of jokes for the children, parents and staff.

“He is adored by the whole school community.”

[RoadEnd]

Lance Armstrong survived his cancer in the mid 90's and according to the BBC (and Wiki), he had testicular, brain and lung cancer too. Obviously each individual diagnosis is different to any other, but maybe some hope still.

Lance Armstrong (born Lance Edward Gunderson on September 18, 1971) is an American professional road racing cyclist who rides for the Kazakhstan-based UCI ProTeam Astana.

He won the Tour de France a record-breaking seven consecutive years, from 1999 to 2005. He is the only individual to win seven times, having broken the previous record of five wins, shared by Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil. He has survived testicular cancer, a tumor that metastasized to his brain and lungs, in 1996. His cancer treatments included brain and testicular surgery and extensive chemotherapy, and his prognosis was originally poor.

[Jaymo]

yeah, i have alot of respect for Lance, hes a great ambassador of sport.. and an inspiration to anyone.

[Shaggy]

Former footballer John Hartson is getting stronger and has made an "excellent recovery" from a second operation on his brain, doctors say.

It is hoped the 34-year-old, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this month, will be able to begin chemotherapy treatment soon.

The pre-planned operation to drain fluid was performed on the ex-Arsenal, Celtic and Wales star at the weekend.

His family said said he was receiving excellent care at hospital in Swansea.

Hartson, a father-of-three, has testicular cancer and doctors also found the disease had spread to his brain and lungs.

He had emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain soon after his diagnosis and resumed radiotherapy treatment soon after.

Since then he has remained critically ill in intensive care at Swansea's Morriston Hospital.

Dr Peter Matthews, critical care consultant at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University NHS Trust, said it was hoped Hartson's physical condition would continue to improve with the multidisciplinary care he is receiving.

In a statement he said: "John Hartson remains under the care of our critical care team and neurosurgeons at Morriston Hospital.

"Following previous emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, a pre-planned neurosurgical drainage procedure was performed at the weekend from which he has made an excellent recovery.

"We hope that he will be in a position to advance his cancer treatment (chemotherapy) as soon as possible."

A statement released by Hartson's family said: "John is getting excellent care from all the staff at the hospital and all the family are here to give John as much support as we can.

"We're delighted he's been able to make some progress but realise that he still has a long way to go.

"The support we are receiving from friends and people around the world is a fantastic lift to us all."

[Jaymo]

go on John!

[Joey Jones]

Nice to hear positive news about Big John.

[Liverpool]

Something about him Ive always liked, hope he pulls through.

[Darth Marty]

Armstrong can so Big John can. Once the brain is sorted the testicular cancer is a bit easier to fight or so ive been told.

****ing scary **** though, hes my age ffs, ill probably get sacked as im fondling my bollocks so often these days!!

[kev776]

Never rated him as a player, but I do hope he pulls through and is ok

[spud_gun]

Don't want to be the harbinger of doom like but when a cancer metastasises it's generally a death sentence.

In Harton's case it's spread from testies to brain, lungs and liver which is about as bad as you can image.

Wouldn't wish his situation on any one.

[Harv]

yep, hope the big fella can pull through.

But when it spreads like it has there isn't much hope

[Guest]

Armstrong had only a 5% chance to survive at the stage when they discovered his cancer. He made it.

[Marky]

Something about him Ive always liked, hope he pulls through.

He's a big Liverpool fan

[Joey Jones]

Hartson is 'gradually improving'

Hartson is 'gradually improving'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8178777.stm

Doctors treating former Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson for cancer say he is improving gradually and no longer critically ill.

The retired footballer, 34, has been in a critical condition since undergoing emergency surgery in Swansea.

Hartson was diagnosed with testicular cancer which had spread to his brain and his lungs.

Chemotherapy may start next week. Meanwhile, the star has also received backing from troops in Afghanistan.

The family of the father-of-three, who retired from football 18 months ago, said they are pleased he has been able to make some progress and "is ready to face the next steps in his treatment head-on"

In a statement issued through the NHS trust which is caring for the star, they said:"Our support is stronger than ever.

"Messages continue to flood in and provide us all with a boost, particularly from troops in Afghanistan and the US Marines."

"We thank everyone for thinking of John."

He has had two operations on his brain, the second at the weekend, since the cancer was confirmed earlier in the month.

The first was emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, and the second was a pre-planned neurosurgical drainage procedure.

Critical care consultant Dr Pushpinger Mangat, from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University NHS Trust, said in the latest condition statement that the former player is "improving gradually, and if this improvement is sustained, we will consider chemotherapy at some point next week".

Dr Mangat added: "He remains seriously, but not critically, ill and under the care of the critical care team at Morriston Hospital,"

Swansea-born Hartson was capped 51 times for his country during his footballing career, scoring 14 goals.

He joined Arsenal as a teenager from Luton in January 1995 and, in two seasons at Highbury, made 62 appearances, scoring 16 goals.

The player left Arsenal for West Ham United in February 1997 and continued his career with the Hammers, Wimbledon, Coventry City, Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.

Among the many messagse for him in his fight against cancer was one on Twitter from multi-Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, who survived the disease himself.