John Hartson [Looking better for him now]

[Shaggy]

Go on John

[Joey Jones]

Cancer-stricken Hartson's thanks

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8189448.stm

Former football star John Hartson has spoken publicly for the first time since his cancer diagnosis to thank well-wishers for their support.

The ex-Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker said they gave him a "big lift" as he undergoes chemotherapy.

The 34-year-old father-of-three has been diagnosed with testicular cancer which spread to his brain and lungs.

He was moved from critical care to a cancer ward in Swansea last weekend and said: "I'm feeling well at the moment".

The retired player said: "I'd like to thank all the wonderful staff for the excellent care they have been giving me.

"I'm really grateful to all the people who have sent messages, cards and flowers - they have been such a big lift to me and my family.

"People have taken time out to write a message and buy a card and that means a lot."

Some of the most recent messages and support have come from other sporting figures such as boxer Joe Calzaghe and former Wales and Manchester United footballer Mickey Thomas.

He has also had support from troops in Afghanistan and US Marines, his family revealed, along with Lance Armstrong, the American cyclist who has himself overcome cancer.

He added: "I'm not going to be able to thank everyone personally for their message but I appreciate every one, both from inside and outside football.

"And the biggest thanks to my fantastic family and friends."

The footballer, who also used to play for Arsenal and West Ham United, was at Swansea's Morriston Hospital's critical care unit until the weekend after undergoing surgery on his brain.

He retired from football in February 2008 and had been working as a television pundit.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust has appealed to fans not to phone or turn up at the hospital to inquire about his health.

[Parm]

good to see he is doing better, hope it continues.

[Joey Jones]

John Hartson discharged from hospital

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/aug/11/john-hartson-cancer-released-hospital

The former Wales international John Hartson was released home today from the hospital where he has been undergoing cancer treatment. The former Arsenal, Celtic, West Ham and Wales international striker had been in the care of the cancer team at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, after being transferred there from the critical care unit.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust said: "John Hartson has completed the first phase of his chemotherapy treatment and has been discharged from hospital. He will now continue his chemotherapy treatment as an outpatient of the hospital."

His family added: "The family would like to thank all the staff at Morriston [where he was first admitted] and Singleton hospitals for their support in getting John to this stage in his treatment. John is glad to be back with his family and ready to face the next steps in his chemotherapy.

"It goes without saying that the support of friends and the public has been a huge lift to us all over the last few weeks. As John's cancer treatment is ongoing, we hope that the public and media will continue to respect his privacy."

Wales players will show their support for Hartson when they play a friendly against Montenegro tomorrow. The players will wear a patch supporting a cancer charity, and their shirts for the match will be auctioned.

The Football Association Of Wales has moved to support their former player, as Hartson was one of his country's most high profile and competitive players over recent years.

An FA of Wales official said: "We will have patches on the players' shirts for the match supporting a charity that works in aid of a cancer charity, checkemlads.com, specifically for male cancer problems. The players are concerned about John's situation.

"Apart from the patches on their shirts, they will also wear T-shirts during the warm-up for the match with John's name on them. Afterwards we will get all their shirts back and then auction them for charity."

[Ben_Itez]

Poor guy....let his male pride get in the way. Tragic.



Former footballer John Hartson has admitted that he ignored signs of testicular cancer two years ago.

The ex-Arsenal and Celtic striker said it was only when he suffered blinding headaches that he finally sought medical help.

Hartson has been released from hospital after undergoing treatment for cancer.

The 34-year-old underwent extensive chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer which spread to his lungs and brain.

The former Wales international told the Scottish Sun he found a lump two years ago, but ignored the signs and the lump got bigger.

Swansea-born Hartson urged men to see their doctors if they notice anything abnormal on their bodies or under their skin.

The father of three told the paper that ignoring the growing lump was a "bloke thing".

He said: "There was a lump in my testicles which I noticed a good while back. I just didn't do anything about it. It was worrying, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't."

Hartson also revealed he had told his girlfriend Sarah McManus about the lump but informed her she should not worry.

He said: "I should have gone to the doctor right away and things might be so different now. Don't wait, because the cancer spreads and all of a sudden you're in big trouble."

[Guest]

He seems to be winning his battle.

BBC NEWS
Hartson's relief at cancer news

Former Wales international footballer John Hartson has spoken of his relief at being told cancer has been "virtually eradicated" from his body.

The ex-Arsenal and Celtic striker was diagnosed in July with testicular cancer that had spread to his brain.

He was admitted to hospital in his home city of Swansea, where he was told the disease had also spread to his lungs.

Hartson, 34, said: "I'm not out of the woods yet, though this is my brightest day for a long time."

The footballer underwent emergency surgery after he was diagnosed with cancer and at one stage he was given a "50-50 chance" of surviving.

He went home from hospital in Swansea in August after completing the first phase of his chemotherapy treatment.

“ We've all been through so much and to get the news from the doctors that the cancer is going from me is fantastic ”
John Hartson

His agent Mark Brodie released a statement saying the cancer had been "virtually eradicated".

However, he said the footballer, who went on to become a TV pundit, still has an "arduous journey ahead to complete recovery" and requires extensive surgery to remove "abnormal masses" in his lung and brain over the forthcoming months.

But Hartson said the latest news is a huge boost.

"We've all been through so much and to get the news from the doctors that the cancer is going from me is fantastic," he said.

"I would like to thank every single person that has taken the time to either write to me, phone me or leave a message online, your ongoing support is helping me through the battle of my life and is keeping Sarah and the kids upbeat in such terrifying circumstances.

"I'm not out of the woods yet, though this is my brightest day for a long time."

He said well-wishers including cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, had kept him fighting.

'Turn back clock'

Hartson told BBC Wales last month that he wished he could turn the clock back four years and act as soon as he found a lump.

"From the first minute I felt a lump in my testicle I would be in the doctors," he said.

"You're never too busy are you - there's no excuses, I should have gone and had it checked out.

"I wouldn't have gone through all the rigmarole I've gone through possibly, the operations and everything else.

"I think I'd have had it nipped in the bud, avoided lots of chemo and operations."

He now wants to use his public profile to highlight the need for self-checking.

He hopes to get back into football once his treatment is completed and he has all the necessary coaching badges to enable him to resume his career once he is well enough.

He is also looking forward to the birth of his fourth child - his second with partner Sarah McManus, whom he plans to marry.

He already has two other children from a previous relationship.
Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/wales/8394822.stm

Published: 2009/12/04 11:26:30 GMT

© BBC MMIX

[Shaggy]

What a fighter

[BFG]

He's kicked that cancer like it was an Israeli on all fours.

Delighted he's getting better.

[Mike]

Nice one

[The Erectile Banana]

Wow. Fair ****s to Hartson.

The man is a fighter.

Hope he continues his recovery.

[JudgeRed]

He's kicked that cancer like it was an Israeli on all fours.

Eh?

[The Erectile Banana]

Eh?

For cancer read Eyal Berkovic and their infamous training ground incident.

[Tee]

Fantastic news.

Is it ok now to hate him again?

[Le Chef]

Brilliant news

[Exiled_red]

Good for him

Hope he makes a full recovery