Legend Cole is on the mend after life-saving surgery on his kidney
ANDREW Cole is back on his feet and recovering well from his life-saving kidney transplant in April after a two-year battle with illness.
United’s 1999 Treble winner underwent surgery two months ago at Manchester Royal Infirmary as part of the treatment for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, a condition which causes scarring of the kidneys.
Cole has revealed that his new kidney was donated by his 28-year-old nephew Alexander after suffering kidney failure in June 2015 caused by picking up an airborne virus abroad.
Speaking at Manchester United’s Foundation launch of the Legends match at Old Trafford against Barcelona on Saturday September 2, Cole told M.E.N. Sport: “It has gone really well.
“The medical team have been absolutely fantastic, the National Health Service has been unbelievable – regardless of what people say about it, it is phenomenal the way doctors and nurses looked after me and everyone.
“The hours they do, the work they put in, is a testament to them. I couldn’t get my head around how hard they work, the long hours they have to do.
“Me personally I’ll get there, it will take time and perseverance.
“At times it is tough, I think the toughest thing for me is that I can’t be as stubborn as I used to be because no matter what I do now I can’t get there any quicker.
“In football terms if you are injured you can do a little bit more but with an illness you can’t get there any quicker, it takes time and you get there when you get there.”
The 45-year-old is unaware where he picked up the virus that changed his life around so dramatically.
But he admits he almost left it too late to see a specialist and had it not been for his wife Shirley then he may not have been here now.
“It took a bit of time to register because being the person I am – men in general – if you fall ill the worse thing you want to do is go to the doctors and you say to yourself ‘Man up and get on with it’. I tried to man up for a bit too long.
“I got back from abroad on the Wednesday, was ill on the Thursday, was ill on the Friday and then called the former Man United doc (Dr Mike Stone) the Friday. I had some tests on the Saturday, was admitted to the hospital on the Monday. When the doc called me he said I had to get myself into hospital and that was that.
“My wife got on my case as well. To be fair, it’s a good job she did, otherwise I would not have bothered. But I’m now here to tell the tale. I’m fortunate, very much so.”
In three more months Cole will know more about how the kidney transplant has been accepted.
“Fingers crossed,” he added.
Cole, who is a United ambassador, will be the assistant manager to Bryan Robson for the fund-raising legends match next season. The match will be shown live on MUTV in the UK and tickets are on sale now at www. manutd.com/legendsareback. Prices start from £20 for adults and £5 for under-16s, with hospitality packages available from £125. All proceeds will go to Manchester United Foundation’s work across Greater Manchester.