Child’s heart ordeal puts Eastwood’s crisis in family perspective
GREG Eastwood may have to retire due to his dodgy heart, but you won’t hear the veteran Bulldogs forward complaining.
This was particularly the case last Thursday when Eastwood met a 10-year-old girl at the Children’s Hospital in Randwick who has already undergone 123 surgeries.
It was a heartbreaking reality that hit the Kiwi-born prop hard, especially after his struggles with an elevated heart rate.
“It really makes you appreciate life, especially when you have five kids of your own,” Eastwood said.
“My five-year-old son also has to get his adenoids and tonsils taken out. He has got surgery in February, so we are a bit scared.
“I’ve been doing it a bit tough in the last few weeks not knowing what will happen next with my heart, but to hear one kid has had almost 130 surgeries really gives you some context.”
Eastwood recently underwent surgery to correct an abnormal heart rate, which occurred while he was driving teammate Danny Fualalo to training.
The heart episode also forced the New Zealand inter- national to momentarily go blind while driving.
After his successful surgery, Eastwood received the allclear to return to light duties at the Bulldogs last week.
However, he’ll have to wait until January to discover if he’ll be able to play a 14th season in the NRL.
“I’ll work hard and hopefully after Christmas I can start running with them.
“I’ll build up with a bit of cardio for the next couple of weeks and then I’ll see the doctor again after Christmas.
“But anything to do with the heart is pretty scary – you need it to live.
“The club have been really good though. They made sure I looked after my health before footy and whatever I need to do they let me do it.
“I definitely want to continue my career. I’m only 30 and I’ve still got a bit to offer.”
Eastwood is also motivated to recover from his heart scare so he can work alongside new Bulldogs coach Dean Pay.
“Dean has been great – all the boys love him,” he said.
“He has sat everyone down individually and told them what he wants.
“We are training really hard, but Dean has been fair with a couple of days off here and there.”