Stiliyan Petrov - update

[gpbarr]

Impact sub. Good guy to have around next year (right attitude, positive mentality, etc). Stupid not too.

[Chris Smith]

He knows his own health better than anyone, and if he thinks he could get back I'd like to see us give him a chance. It would be great just to have him involved with the club again.

Sorry Monty, for possibly the first time I have to disagree with your post.  Cancer of any form is too insidious to fuck about with.  I accept your point about him knowing his own health but, imo it's too risky.  I'm not saying he should let it dictate fully how he lives his life but, why, at that age; would you even consider it?

Years ago, a friend who had been given the all-clear from cancer decided to play indoor football.  He got a knock and the cancer returned and the medical professionals attributed it directly to the knock he'd received, he died.   Maybe this has stuck with me and clouded my judgement.

Dave, obviously what happened to your friend was tragic but cancer is such a broad and varied condition you cannot apply a one size fits all approach to long term outcomes. Petrov suffered a similar illness to me and the long term prognosis is also similar; each year post treatment reduces the risks of it returning. He might struggle to get himself up to the level of fitness required but all power to him for trying. I haven't tried professional football but I am back to being capable of pretty much everything I was pre illness (defending lame duck Villa managers excepted).

[PeterWithesShin]

It's a romantic idea but he shouldn't even consider it imo. It's over 4 years since he last played a competitive game, he's 37 soon. Just enjoy life Stan.

Maybe he just enjoys playing? He might never be good enough to play anywhere near the top level (or for us), but he might be able to play lower down the league or non-league if he gets his fitness up. If he gets a kick out of it, why not?

Because I wrote that about him playing for us again. Even at a half decent non league level I reckon he'd struggle at his age and after so long out. If he wants to try I wish him well and hope he does ok, but sadly I don't think he will.

[AVH87]

I agree with PWS, Petrov will be 37 when the new season comes round, playing at Championship level after the years he's had to have off will be too much. I'd be impressed if he could go back in even at League 2 standard.

[dave shelley]

He knows his own health better than anyone, and if he thinks he could get back I'd like to see us give him a chance. It would be great just to have him involved with the club again.

Sorry Monty, for possibly the first time I have to disagree with your post.  Cancer of any form is too insidious to fuck about with.  I accept your point about him knowing his own health but, imo it's too risky.  I'm not saying he should let it dictate fully how he lives his life but, why, at that age; would you even consider it?

Years ago, a friend who had been given the all-clear from cancer decided to play indoor football.  He got a knock and the cancer returned and the medical professionals attributed it directly to the knock he'd received, he died.   Maybe this has stuck with me and clouded my judgement.

Dave, obviously what happened to your friend was tragic but cancer is such a broad and varied condition you cannot apply a one size fits all approach to long term outcomes. Petrov suffered a similar illness to me and the long term prognosis is also similar; each year post treatment reduces the risks of it returning. He might struggle to get himself up to the level of fitness required but all power to him for trying. I haven't tried professional football but I am back to being capable of pretty much everything I was pre illness (defending lame duck Villa managers excepted).

Chris, I think I may have alluded to it before and I don't mind saying it again:  I am absolutely delighted with your progress and long may it continue until full health is restored.  I take your point, as I did with Monty's original that cancer isn't that simple but only you know how you, and fellow sufferers' themselves feel healthwise.  It's just that I've seen so much of it and am ultra cautious when it comes to giving it an opportunity to re-visit.  Please take care of yourself mate.

[The_ads]

I agree with PWS, Petrov will be 37 when the new season comes round, playing at Championship level after the years he's had to have off will be too much. I'd be impressed if he could go back in even at League 2 standard.

Football wise he hasn't got 37 year old legs though

[ExclDawg]

It's a romantic idea but he shouldn't even consider it imo. It's over 4 years since he last played a competitive game, he's 37 soon. Just enjoy life Stan.

To be fair, Lance Armstrong, returned from cancer and won the Tour De France in around 3 years.  Sure, he was heavily drug aided, but so was everyone else in the field.

[PeterWithesShin]

Armstrong was in his mid 20s, had less than 18 months out the sport and was doping. Which is a bit different to Stan's situation.

[Chris Smith]

He knows his own health better than anyone, and if he thinks he could get back I'd like to see us give him a chance. It would be great just to have him involved with the club again.

Sorry Monty, for possibly the first time I have to disagree with your post.  Cancer of any form is too insidious to fuck about with.  I accept your point about him knowing his own health but, imo it's too risky.  I'm not saying he should let it dictate fully how he lives his life but, why, at that age; would you even consider it?

Years ago, a friend who had been given the all-clear from cancer decided to play indoor football.  He got a knock and the cancer returned and the medical professionals attributed it directly to the knock he'd received, he died.   Maybe this has stuck with me and clouded my judgement.

Dave, obviously what happened to your friend was tragic but cancer is such a broad and varied condition you cannot apply a one size fits all approach to long term outcomes. Petrov suffered a similar illness to me and the long term prognosis is also similar; each year post treatment reduces the risks of it returning. He might struggle to get himself up to the level of fitness required but all power to him for trying. I haven't tried professional football but I am back to being capable of pretty much everything I was pre illness (defending lame duck Villa managers excepted).

Chris, I think I may have alluded to it before and I don't mind saying it again:  I am absolutely delighted with your progress and long may it continue until full health is restored.  I take your point, as I did with Monty's original that cancer isn't that simple but only you know how you, and fellow sufferers' themselves feel healthwise.  It's just that I've seen so much of it and am ultra cautious when it comes to giving it an opportunity to re-visit.  Please take care of yourself mate.

Cheers, Dave. The rule of thumb is that two years post treatment it is a 95% probability that it will not come back so he is well past that so he can move forward with relative confidence.

[The_ads]

I'm no Oncologist, but I am a doctor, and playing football is not going to make Stiliyan Petrov's Leukemia to return

[chrisw1]

It's obviously massively unlikely that he could get back to elite level, particularly at his age.  But I hope the club give him every chance to prove he can and wouldn't it be fucking brilliant if he did?

[supertom]

Let him train with the club in pre-season. Give him a couple of runouts and see what happens. If he's still got it in him, then do pay as you play. If not, then see if he wants to remain as a coach. Whatever happens I'd love Stan to be back at the club.

[dave shelley]

I'm no Oncologist, but I am a doctor, and playing football is not going to make Stiliyan Petrov's Leukemia to return

Thank you for that.  It's appreciated.

[croatian]

It's obviously massively unlikely that he could get back to elite level, particularly at his age.  But I hope the club give him every chance to prove he can and wouldn't it be fucking brilliant if he did?

Wouldn't it just?
Just the fact that Stan feels well and positive enough to consider it is brilliant. It really has brightened my day.
Chemotherapy takes a toll on your body, even given a successful outcome. Physically you're never quite the same again. I know.
But hey, the guys fit, healthy and positive.
That's all that really matters.

[The_ads]

I'm no Oncologist, but I am a doctor, and playing football is not going to make Stiliyan Petrov's Leukemia to return

Thank you for that.  It's appreciated.

No need to get over emotional with the post. You're friend was unlucky and his story is tragic, but let me tell you Leukemia is a very unique strand of that dreadful disease and if Stiliyan has had the green light to resume physical activity then there is very little risk to him returning to professional football in terms of the disease returning.