VIV BUSBY knew he was facing an opponent far more formidable than any he had encountered on a football pitch. That's when he heard a voice say 'give me six months of your life and I'll give you your life back'.

The scene was Rotherham General Hospital in South Yorkshire in September 2000 and Swindon Town's youth team coach had just been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Five courses of gruelling chemotherapy lay ahead as well as endless hours lying in bed with nothing to do but count tiles on the wall and ceiling. And that's why he is backing the Evening Advertiser and Macmillan Cancer Relief's Swindon Cancer Appeal.

By his own admission, Busby is not a reader and endless hours of daytime TV held no appeal either.

Visitors were a no-no due to the risk of him picking up an infection.

But from the moment his doctor broke the news, he was determined the disease would not kill him.

He said: "The news destroyed me initially but I listened to what the medical people had to say and got on with it.

"My wife Angela was expecting a baby (Megan, now aged two) so it was more than just me that I had to fight for.

"I was 51 years of age and certainly wasn't ready to die."

Busby's problems had started with bleeding gums and a dose of bronchitis that he simply couldn't shake.

He said: "I was coughing like you wouldn't believe. I couldn't sleep and I just felt really tired.

"With Angela pregnant, I slept downstairs to try and allow her some sleep.

"Trips to the dentist (about the gums) and the doctor didn't solve the problem.

"One night, at 1am, I woke Angela and told her she'd better take me to the hospital. I knew something wasn't right.

"But as well as that, I thought it might give her some peace.

"They performed tests which showed my immune system was shot and blood tests also showed things were far from okay.

"The tests were carried out on a Monday and I was diagnosed on the Wednesday.

"After that, it was straight into the chemotherapy. Anyone who has been through it will understand what's involved. It's not pleasant being poisoned in an attempt to fight the disease.

"And waking up screaming in pain because your immune system cannot fight a lung infection for example is not something I'd recommend experiencing.

"But during my time in hospital I do remember there was a cancer charity lady who was at the hospital to listen to those who wanted to talk.

"But she never imposed. If you wanted to speak to her, then fine. But it was never a case of you having no choice in the matter.

"I know Angela spoke to her a few times and I think it helped her.

"People like the Macmillan Nurses and Marie Curie do a fantastic job."

Busby now looks at life in a very different way. It will be two years in August since he was given the all-clear and life has never felt better.

He said: "I just enjoy each day now and make the most of it. That's what I tell the young lads here to do. They are being paid to train and play football. What a wonderful life.

"You just wonder whether they all appreciate the fact at times.

"I also tell them that you never know just what's around the corner. I think you have to look at it that way, particularly if you've been so close to the 'exit door'."

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