BARROW AFC skipper Niall Canavan found out he had Type 1 diabetes while playing for Plymouth Argyle.
And he told The Mail that his feelings once the diagnosis was delivered were those of relief rather than horror.
He explained: “I was 27 when I found out, it was during my time at Plymouth.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting. Throughout all the time that the signs were there, I wasn’t seeing them as that it could be that, I was just finding reasons to why certain things were happening.
“So to have that diagnosis was almost like lifting the fog. I was looking for reasons for why is this happening? Why is that happening?
“And that’s not normal, or that’s not happened before, so when I found out, I was like that makes total sense, so it was probably more of a relief than anything.
“I had a blood test and the doctor rang and said ‘he’s either got a very serious water infection or he’s diabetic’.
“I played the game that weekend kind of knowing ‘well I’m probably diabetic here’.
“I was in with the consultant on the Monday and to be fair to all of the hospital staff were outstanding and completely put me at ease.
“They left me with no questions about whether I’d be able to play or not.
“And they gave me loads of case studies, and examples of people in sport who are performing at the highest level, and they are Type 1 diabetic.”
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and the Bluebirds’ star admits that the warning signs were there even if everyone was looking for other reasons.
“There were lots of things going on. Fatigue is big warning sign (of possible diabetes), and I was constantly tired,” he said.
“I was also thirsty all of the time, but I’d just gone through pre-season and the weather was hotter, so you find a reason as to why things are happening.
“I wasn’t really recovering from injuries very well. I had an operation on my ankle at Rochdale the previous year, and it took forever to recover from it, to the point where I was questioning retiring and looking to other career opportunities.
“The biggest one (before being diagnosed) was I’d lost about five or six kilos in about five to six weeks, and I think I dropped about two-and-a-half per cent body fat.
“And I was baffled by it, because I was like I’m literally eating so many sweets and chocolates, because I was having really intense cravings.
“But then I was having a urine test where the results sought of said there’s no way you should be able to train today.
“That went on for a few months and got progressively worse, and I was like right let’s find out what’s going on.”
The defender now has to monitor his diet more closely, how he trains, take insulin and can sometimes need supplements or food during training or a game.”
But ever the positive, Canavan is eager to let people know a diagnosis isn’t the end of the world.
He said: “I’m almost proud of being proud of what I’ve been able to do what I do.
“A lot of kids come up with anxiety, and that worry about not being able to do stuff, or being that little bit different.
“And if kids ask me I just say that as long as you manage it properly you can go and be whatever you like, and go and do whatever you like, and still achieve your dreams.”
Don’t miss Part Two next week, as Canavan reveals what more needs to be done.