Six weeks after undergoing emergency heart surgery, former New Zealand captain Chris Cairns has shared a long-awaited health update.
New Zealand cricket great Chris Cairns has posted a heartfelt video thanking the people who helped save his life following a health scare last month.
Six weeks ago, the 51-year-old was rushed to hospital in Canberra after suffering an aortic dissection – a tear in the body’s main artery.
Cairns underwent surgery, but the seriousness of his condition required him to be transferred to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney for another operation.
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The former Black Caps captain was on life support for several days before regaining consciousness.
It was later revealed that during the lifesaving emergency heart surgery in Sydney, Cairns had suffered a stroke in his spine that paralysed his legs.
On Sunday evening, Cairns shared a long-awaited update on his health, posting a one-minute video to Twitter.
It was his first Twitter post in seven years.
“Just over six weeks ago, I suffered a type A aortic dissection, which essentially means there’s a tear in one of the major arteries of the heart,” Cairns said.
“I had several surgeries and grafts and very thankfully the specialists were able to save the heart itself.
“One of the complications that arose was a spinal stroke which in itself will provide me with possibly the greatest challenge I’ve ever faced in rehab going forward.
“Huge thanks to the team here at Canberra Hospital, to St Vincent’s in Sydney, the surgeons, the doctors, the nurses, the specialists – you saved my life.
“Thanks also (for) all the well-wishes that have been sent through to Mel, my wife, and I.
“Uplifting, humbling, and so, so special.
“I’ll keep posting to keep you along on the journey as it goes, but please, thank you so much and much love to everybody.”
The Australian’s Peter Lalor tweeted: “Extraordinary. Early reports sounded so grim. Great to see.”
Cricket broadcaster Brian Murgatroyd posted: “This is terrific news for all cricket lovers & lovers of life.”
Cairns represented New Zealand in 62 Test matches and 215 one-day internationals during his stellar career.
The all-rounder claimed 420 wickets and scored 8273 runs in international cricket, cracking nine centuries and taking 14 five-wicket hauls for New Zealand.
Cairns has been living and working in Canberra with his wife Melanie and their children for several years.
He had to rebuild his life after walking out of Southwark Crown Court in London in 2015 after being found not guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice charges concerning match-fixing allegations.
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