JOSH FACES HIS BIGGEST BATTLE
Cancer scare has changed my life
JOSH MCQUOID was doing his routine stretch exercises at home when he noticed something that would go on to change the course of his life.
“I reached round the back of my leg and felt a lump,” the 33-year-old told The NLP. “I showed my partner Misha and she urged me to get it checked out straight away.”
So, unbeknown to his Aldershot Town teammates, the former Northern Ireland international did just that – and the results were quite staggering.
McQuoid was diagnosed with a rare cancer in his leg called sarcoma, which affects the tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures and organs.
No-one was more shocked than he.
“It was difficult to get my head around,” admitted the former AFC Bournemouth, Luton Town and Weymouth midfielder. “I played professional football, felt fit and led a healthy lifestyle. Not only that, I felt fine, so surely it couldn’t be happening to me?”
Thankfully, for McQuoid, Misha’s quick thinking in pushing him to get checked out has proved vital. Recent MRI scan results were positive show the cancer has not spread, meaning McQuoid can now enter into a course of radiotherapy with optimism before he undergoes surgery later on in the summer to get the tumour removed.
After being given the goahead to continue playing by medics, McQuoid stepped back into the EBB Stadium as nothing had happened, opting to keep his diagnosis largely under wraps, especially with the club in the thick of a relegation dogfight.
“I felt absolutely fine and I just wanted to carry on playing, I thought that was the best way,” McQuoid continued.
“I could still train and play the same and when I eventually told the manager [Tommy Widdrington] he was very supportive. He was happy for me to carry on playing if I was.
“Not many of the lads knew and I thought it best to keep it that way. There was only about four or five games to go and we still weren’t safe from relegation so I didn’t want to distract them. I’m sure it would have been fine if I did, everyone goes about their job professionally, but it had been a tough season and I didn’t want to lose their focus at such a crucial time.
“At the end of the day, though, we had achieved our goal and stayed up, and I felt like I had played a part in that.
“It was then I told the rest of the lads and everyone was so supportive.
“I’m not massive on social media but I wanted to get the message out there that, no matter how old or fit you are, it can happen to you.
“Even it helps one or two people then it’s done its job and I had some amazing messages back from former teammates and old clubs, plus one or two people who had been in the same situation reach out to me, offering support and advice.”
A bit of time to reflect, and a family holiday with Misha and the couple’s two young daughters, has left McQuoid in a much better place before his summer treatment resumes.
Recovery
As for his future after that, though, it’s too early to say.
“The aim is to carry on playing football but, obviously, my health must come first,” McQuoid added.“It’s about getting my operation out of the way in the summer and assessing the situation then.
“My contract at Aldershot runs out at the end of next month so I’ll speak to the club and see where we go from here. The club have been really good with me so I’m sure when I’m fit and ready we’ll be having some discussions then.”
First though, it’s that quality family time that McQuoid needs when it comes to discussing his playing future.
“It’s been a tough few weeks but I’m lucky to have such a great family and group of friends who are supporting me all the way,” he added.
“I’ll be taking some time out and sit down with the family to discuss where we are at in terms of starting to play again, but the aim is to take things in my stride over the next four, five, six months and look at the possibilities.
“Obviously, recovery time is relative to each situation and each individual, but hopefully it won’t be long before I’m back to full fitness and I can make a full recovery.
“I am lucky in that we caught it early, but the message here is a strong one for everyone.
“I have my partner to thank for making me get checked. It’s normally nothing but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”