Australian cricket legend Ian Chappell reveals cancer battle
Australian cricket legend Ian Chappell has revealed an ongoing battle with cancer.
The Daily Telegraph reports the 75-year-old recently required five weeks of intense radiation therapy after skin cancers were discovered and partly removed.
But Chappell's prognosis appears to be good – so good, in fact, that he's ready to be involved in Channel Nine's coverage of the Ashes.
The former Test captain had spoken earlier this year about getting numerous skin cancers removed from his body after years out in the sun.
Having had one cut out of his shoulder late last year, Chappell later discovered a lump under his left arm.
Doctors found that the cancer had spread to two lymph nodes but the former batsman was able to undergo surgery on his neck and armpit.
“I didn’t tell too many people early on. Mainly because I just wasn’t sure what the radio therapy would involve and how weary I’d be,” said Chappell.
“But as it turned out, it wasn’t so bad. A bit of tiredness at night and a bit of skin irritation, but other than that I’m feeling pretty good.
“I told family and gradually a couple of my teammates and I’ve been getting calls from them pretty regularly, which is nice."
Chappell went to hospital five days a week to continue treatment following his operation.
He will meet with his specialist again on Monday for a thorough report.
Richie Benaud’s ‘big influence’
Chappell had previously opened up on getting cancers removed when he appeared on the Final Word podcast.
Revisiting his glory days, the former skipper was in the process of lauding Australian icon Richie Benaud’s leadership on the field.
But a lasting impact was his dress sense – something Chappell regretted following when he followed in Benaud’s footsteps.
“Unfortunately his idea of leaving his shirt open had a big influence on me,” Chappell said with a laugh.
“I’ve been getting skin cancers cut out, burnt out and everything else for the last 30-odd years.”
‘I’ve had a pretty good time’
Chappell said the reality of life’s challenges had hit him in recent years.
“When you hit 70 you feel (vulnerable) anyhow, but I guess I’ve got so used to bloody skin cancers over the years,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
“The fact that none of them have been melanomas probably provides a bit of comfort. It may be naivety on my part.
“I’ve had multiple skin cancers cut off, burnt off and every other way you can get rid of them.
“You get to 70 and you start to think ‘Christ, it’s getting near the end now’. But I saw my mother, Jeanne, near the end and she’d come to grips with death, and that’s probably when I thought, ‘s***, this is something you need to deal with.’
“Not that you’re trying to rush it, but when it comes you’re comfortable. I guess I’ve been in that mode for a while now, and when it happens you just say, ‘well, I’ve had a pretty good time and that’s it.
“When Richie (Benaud) and Tony (Greig) went ... again, it was just a reminder that it happens to everybody.”
