Jonas Gutierrez Reveals How He Fought Back From Cancer To Save Newcastle's Season
The Argentine scored and assisted against West Ham - but he fought a far greater battle last year.
"Since I had the treatment the only thing that I was thinking was recovery. I was not really thinking about playing football, to be honest."The chemotherapy is a harsh treatment. Your body really feels it. You lose your hair with all the medication going into your body. It was hard. After that when I finished with the treatment, and I started outside the medication, my body started its recovery.
Advertisement"It got nicer, because every day, my body was getting better. But, of course, during the chemo, it was hard watching your body in that type of state.
For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook."In those moments, you don't think about playing football again. Then the doctor says: 'You are okay, you can start again.' I started to think: 'Oh well, let's see what happens.'
Advertisement"I didn't know how my body was going to react. Every day, I was improving. One day, I did a two-minute run, the next day four, and so on. Obviously, I got up to doing a marathon too!
"The good thing is my body reacted really well to the treatment and the exercise. The doctor told me the fact I was a footballer, and fit already, was a big help to recover and come back.
Advertisement"You train all the days all year, so your body has memory of being well and fit. My body would feel it for a few days then get stronger."