A former professional football player who was diagnosed with blood cancer has advised others to seek medical attention if they notice strange symptoms.
In 2022, Darren Oxbrow, 54, who had previously played for Colchester United, Maidstone United, and Ipswich Town, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Mr. Oxbrow claimed that realizing something was off came when he started to feel “not himself” while on vacation.
He went on to say: “Men need to admit when there’s something not quite right.”
Mr. Oxbrow encouraged others to “make a call” in that circumstance. He is currently employed with Suffolk Youth Justice Service.
You can tell there’s something wrong if you don’t feel 100%,” he remarked.
At that point, you should go get assistance.
One kind of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system is non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
“You never expect it to happen to yourself, especially after living a healthy, fit life without any problems,” he remarked.
You suddenly be struck by something similar.”Numerous checks were performed on the former central defender, who also played for Kettering Town and Barnet.
The narrow blue line, the Stones, and the Blues
“I was short of energy but couldn’t put a finger on it,” he stated. “I simply didn’t feel like myself, and after 50 years of living in your body, you can tell when something is off.
He was advised to visit the Woolverstone Unit at Ipswich Hospital and was given an incurable cancer diagnosis.
Days leading up to Christmas.”Three days before Christmas, that is when my wife and I received the news. It was utterly disastrous. “You have blood cancer and you will have it for life,” is what you initially hear.
“All of these thoughts cross your mind as soon as you hear that word. What effect does it have? To what extent is it bad? What harm will the cancer cause to me?
the difficult task of having to inform my loved ones. Having to relate to all of my children was a big deal. It was really difficult to tell them that their father will be sick for a while.”
The “fighting spirit” he acquired throughout his football career, according to Mr. Oxbrow, who is married to Kate and has four children: Ellen, Will, Lucy, and Jemima, helped him deal.
I believe that makes you stronger because I’ve always been a little bit of a warrior and driven,” he remarked.
“It’s true that attitude and optimism have a significant impact. Throughout the whole process, I’ve made an effort to be as optimistic as possible.”From September until February, Mr. Oxbrow received chemotherapy, and he reported making a “good recovery.”
A “incredible” raffle of an autographed Ipswich Town shirt has been set up to collect funds for the Woolverstone Unit. Mr. Oxbrow detailed the event.
After starting his eight-year professional career at the Suffolk club in 1988, Mr. Oxbrow said he was still a devoted Ipswich Town fan.
The club’s accomplishments this year, he claimed, have had a “huge difference”.