ANGUS MacDONALD was driving down the M1 numbed by shock.
During his 300-mile journey from Sheffield to Plymouth news the Hull midfielder had just received was sinking in.
Angus MacDonald is back training with Hull City after being diagnosed with bowel cancerCredit: Instagram / @angusmac
The Hull star is looking to return to action before the end of the seasonCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
MacDonald signed for Hull City in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
He had bowel cancer.
His doctor did not know whether they had caught it early enough to cure and so many things flashed through his mind.
Would he still be alive next year? Even if he survived, would he be able to play again?
And the most remarkable of all — would his popstar girlfriend Alex Burke still want to be with him? That was less than five months ago.
But today, after the most turbulent time in his 27 years, he finally resumes training with the Tigers after getting the all-clear.
Angus is in a good place – a far cry from Friday, August 23.
The Hull star had recently returned to training following a year out with deep vein thrombosis after a blood clot was found in one of his calves.
Doctors had been checking his bowel after he was also diagnosed with colitis by performing a series of colonoscopy tests. In layman’s terms, that is a camera up the backside.
“I WENT NUMB”
Angus said: “In a few months, I had that done to me six or seven times, which wasn’t pleasant. If colitis is untreated it can inflame your blood so they needed to investigate.
“And suddenly the doctor called saying he needed to see me urgently the next day.
“I arrived at the hospital in Sheffield and in the room was the club doctor, club physio, surgeon and my doctor.
“And my doctor didn’t beat about the bush and told me, ‘You’ve got bowel cancer’.
“From that point, I went numb and switched off – staring out of the window barely taking anything else in.
“Everyone relates cancer to death and that was my immediate thought.”
It made for a tortuous drive to Plymouth immediately afterwards to meet Alex to celebrate her 31st birthday on the Sunday.
He said: “It was while alone I thought about the possible consequences.
“I TRIED TO ACT AS NORMAL”
“I also hadn’t been with Alex long and, I know it sounds stupid, but I was worried it may affect our relationship. We’d only just passed the dating stage.”
Angus only broke the news immediately to agent Ricky Pattenden and two close friends.
He decided not to tell his parents until he met them face to face – and wanted to keep it from Alex until after her birthday so as not to ruin it.
But Angus said: “I tried to act as normal as I could but she knew something wasn’t right.
“I ended up breaking the news the night before.
“Alex was devastated but we agreed to park it until Monday and enjoy the rest of our weekend – although there were times she’d sit there knowing what I was thinking about and vice versa.
“But a couple of days later the emotions started to pour out and there were plenty of tears.”
Angus eventually told everyone close to him before he and the club released a statement.
“SHE WAS BRILLIANT”
He said: “If I could’ve gone through it without telling anyone and fought it alone I would have because I didn’t want to hurt or worry anyone.
“But I’m glad I did because speaking about it helps mentally. Had I not, I would’ve had a breakdown.”
Angus need not have worried about the ordeal affecting his relationship.
He said: “Alex told me off for even thinking that way.
“It was as though we had been together years. She was brilliant.
“We made plans to keep ourselves busy and have things to look forward to.
“She booked trips and spa days – simple things for us to spend time chilling, being happy, relaxed and cement into my mind that everything was going to be OK. Her support was what kept me going. You only really show your emotional vulnerability to your partner.
“My mum Jane, dad Rob and three sisters Sophie, Emma and Rebecca have been rocks for me, too. I couldn’t have got through it without any of them.”
“AN INSPIRATION”
Manchester United and Arsenal were among the clubs to put out statements of support and he was inundated with texts and tweets from players across football and fans on social media.
Angus also had support from former Rochdale star Joe Thompson, who TWICE suffered and beat cancer.
He said: “Joe has been in touch with me daily, weekly, and is an inspiration.
“To get support from someone who had gone through it himself was truly appreciated.”
MacDonald had two operations – first to remove his bowel and fit a colostomy bag and another to replace the bowel.
Both were a success and he did not need chemotherapy or radiography as the cancer had not spread into his lymph nodes.
In late November he had the happiest of pub lunches with his family in Wakefield after receiving news he was cancer free.
He visited the training ground last month for Christmas lunch with his Hull team-mates.
“THERE ARE WORSE THINGS”
And today he starts another battle – to get fit, get back into Grant McCann’s team and hopefully see his current contract extended beyond this summer.
He said: “I have to do a mini pre-season and it could take six weeks to be back to the sort of fitness needed for the first team.
“I’ve only started 13 league games for Hull and I want to show the fans why they signed me from Barnsley two years ago.
“It’s going to be a tough road back but nothing compared to what I’ve gone through.
“The year 2019 was a big learning curve. I’ll never take being dropped to heart again. There are worse things.
MacDonald is hoping to prove his worth to the Hull City fansCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
The 27-year-old was given the all clear in NovemberCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
“I won’t get too high with my highs or too low with my lows. I’ll stay positive, keep working hard and be happy to be alive.”
And you can forgive Angus for sharing his immediate dream.
He said: “It’s to reach the play-offs in May and score the winner at Wembley to get to the Premier League.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
