'It's horrible, but cancer is not a death sentence' He's fought it twice, now City veteran offers advice to current Bluebirds ace.Byline: Jonathan Evans Jonathan Evans may refer to:
CANCER survivor Andy Legg Andy Legg (born 28 July 1966 in Neath) is a Welsh International footballer. He has previously played for Swansea City, Notts County, Birmingham City, Ipswich Town, Reading, Peterborough United, Cardiff City and Newport County. last night sent amessage of support to Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail Stephen John Paul McPhail (born 9 December 1979 in Westminster London, raised in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish footballer currently playing in the English Championship for Welsh side Cardiff City F.C.. He has won 10 caps for his country, the Republic of Ireland, and scored one goal. after he was diagnosed with the disease. The Bluebirds legend, who has beaten cancer twice before, said he was there if the 29-year-old needed any help after being diagnosed with a type of cancer called stage one malt lymphoma MALT Lymphoma Definition MALT lymphomas are solid tumors that originate from cancerous growth of immune cells that are recruited to secretory tissue such as the gastrointestinal tract, salivary glands, lungs, and the thyroid gland. . The 43-year-old, now player manager at Llanelli, said: "I don't know him that well but if he needs me I'm here and I'm sure Dave Jones
"He's a fit lad and I believe they have caughtit intheearlystages so that'sgood news. "I wish him all the best in the world and I'm here for him if he needs me. "People like to deal with things themselves sometimes but if he needs a bit of advice orsomebody to talk to who'sbeen through the same thing I'm here. "He's fit and strong and we just wish him all the best. "Every time I hear about people getting cancer it's horrible, but it's not a death sentence anymore. "More and more people are beating it all the time so that's encouraging. "I hope to see him back on the field of play before too long." Hundreds of messages of support have been posted on the WalesOnline website and city fansites for McPhail, who has been at Cardiff City since 2006 and has been capped 10 times for the Republic of Ireland. The midfielder is undergoing treatment expected to last three weeks and the club has said he could return to football as early as in January next year. The former Leeds midfielder underwent surgery last month to have a lump removed from his neck and said at the time: "I've had a lump onmy neck for some time nowand left it for a fewmonths because I just got back in the side. "But it had become bigger and bigger in the past few weeks and, with the internationalbreakcomingup, Idecided to go to the specialists and get it sorted." McPhail's teammates also offered their support followingSaturday'sdefeat at Barnsley. Fellow midfielder Gavin Rae Gavin Paul Rae (born 28 November, 1977) is a Scottish international footballer, currently playing in the English Championship for Cardiff City. Club career Dundee Rae was a central midfielder for his first club Dundee. said: "He's got everyone's support here. "He's one of the lads and we were all devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. to hear about it. It certainly puts football into perspective that's for sure. "Hemust have been soworried, he has a young family to think about too. "But we hear he is very positive about it and it looks like he is going to be fine. "All the players and staff at the club are just rooting for him. "We are just hoping he gets back to playing as soon as possible. I chatted to him by text on Friday and he seemed to be very positive. "I'm sure everything will be fine with him." City bossDave Jones added:"Wemust all let him get on with his treatment. He has to go through the treatment and then get over his thigh injury. "If there'sanygoodnewsyoucanget in these circumstances then this was it (because it's been caught in the early stages). "Stephen was bouncing when I spoke to him on Friday." McPhail's type of cancer, malt lymphoma, is a relatively rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma lymphoma, a cancer of the tissue of the lymphatic system. There are two categories of lymphomas. One type is termed Hodgkin's disease, the other, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (see lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's). See also neoplasm. . It can occur at any age from early adulthood to old age, but is more common in people over 60. It is slightly more common in women than in men. A stage one lymphoma means it has not spread to any other part of the body yet. Treatment can involve surgery, chemotherapy or the use of steroid drugs. Leave your messages of support for Stephen McPhail on our website at walesonline.co.uk/stephenmcphail FANS LEAVE MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FANS have posted their messages of support for the Bluebirds midfielder on the WalesOnline website. FlyingVJenks: "All the best Steve! Hope you make a swift and full recovery. Looking forward to seeing you play again for the City in the new year." BluebirdsFan101: "Get well soon Stephen! See you back in the Bluebirds shirt very soon!" NIBluebird: "Just remember in God we put our trust! Will be prayerfully supporting you over the months - get well soon!" valleybird: "Get well soon Big Mac, sending love and best wishes to you and your family xx." geeski: "Hope u are back on the pitch soon Stephen, you're a class footballer and more important a BLUEBIRD, all the very best during this difficult time but you will be back in January. Best wishes to you and your family." CAPTION(S): Former Cardiff City hero Andy Legg has pledged support for Stephen McPhail, right, in his battle with a rare form of cancer |
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