Former Rangers, Manchester United and Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram has vowed to “fight like never before” after revealing that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The Ibrox club, with which Goram earned legendary trophy-laden status for seven years in the 1990s, announced last month that the 58-year-old was being treated for hospital illness.
Goram has now revealed in an interview with the Daily Record that doctors have given him about six months to live after decreasing the chances of chemotherapy, which could extend his life by three more months.
She explained that she first felt unwell about seven weeks ago when she had difficulty eating and drinking, but initially ignored the symptoms after failing to get a face-to-face appointment with her GP.
“I thought I had severe indigestion,” he said. “It was as if my esophagus was blocked. After a few weeks, it got worse and nothing happened. Everything I ate or drank didn’t reach the middle of my stomach and I threw it away again.
“I couldn’t have a face to face with my GP for two weeks, at which point I was in total agony. I had also lost four stones in four weeks. I had a CT scan in Monklands, then they took me. at Wishaw General and they told me that my closest relatives should be with me. That’s when the alarms started ringing. I realized I had cancer. “
Goram was diagnosed with grade 4 esophageal cancer, which has spread to the liver, right lung, three vertebrae and ribs. His son, Danny, was by his side when a doctor informed him that his condition was terminal. He has turned down chemotherapy after seeing the impact it had on his ex-wife, Miriam, during his own battle with cancer last year.
“The surgeon explained where all the cancer was and it was inoperable,” he said. “Danny broke down while trying to assess the situation. The word ‘inoperable’ hit me hard. I knew I was about to fight.”
“The specialist said that if I take chemotherapy, I have an average of nine months left. If I don’t do chemotherapy, I have an average of six. After seeing what he did to Miriam, my decision was made after conversations with her and Danny. Taking chemotherapy and being in agony for the sake of an additional three months and zero quality of life? No thankyou.”
“Miriam had six chemotherapy treatments and three x-ray sessions. It was infernal. But he had a goal because now he has more or less surpassed it. My problem is that there was no way out to fight, “Goram added.
“The doctor told me, ‘Go and enjoy your day to day life and be as normal as possible. My pain is manageable. I can still go see friends and supporters and still be myself. The only difference is that the time bomb is working. “