Simply two years in the past, rugby union star Todd McManus seemed the image of bodily well being.
However his rugby journey was lower tragically quick after the centre fell unwell on the age of 23.
McManus was born in Darwin and had a promising future within the sport.
Having excelled as a junior participant, he can be scouted by the ACT Brumbies in 2017 and would go on to affix their growth squad.
The centre would later be a part of the Queanbeyan Whites and labored his manner up the ranks earlier than serving to the membership’s first crew win a premiership title in 2022.
Talking in an interview with NT Information, McManus claimed that the achievement was one thing that ‘nobody can ever take from me’.
The centre confirmed off his ripped physique as he posed for an image on-line with a number of of his team-mates after profitable the premiership.
However whereas visiting the household of his accomplice Courtney Tamati in Queensland, issues took a flip.
The rugby participant was rushed to hospital with extreme abdomen pains however after present process checks, docs advised McManus that he had a abdomen bug and it was nothing to fret about.
‘I abruptly awoke with 10/10 belly ache. I ended up curled up in a ball on the ground moaning in ache. I used to be rushed to the hospital simply to be discharged with ‘extreme gastro’,’ McManus posted to social media.
Promising rugby union participant Todd McManus (left) was the image of bodily well being a number of years in the past
McManus (proper) was rushed to hospital with belly pains however was advised by docs he had ‘extreme gastro’
A 12 months handed however the avid rugby fan was nonetheless experiencing signs. He was continuously drained and his love for the game was beginning to wane. He added he grew to become tired of a number of issues in life.
‘I used to be referred to a gastroenterologist and had surgical procedure to have a correct look,’ he mentioned.
‘I used to be within the ready room to be discharged when my surgeon entered the room and took me right into a extra personal room. ‘He advised me they’d discovered a 2cm tumour, eliminated it and despatched it for testing.
‘Three hectic weeks later I used to be sat down with my accomplice Courtney and heard the phrases ‘Todd you’ve most cancers’.’
Life would change shortly for the Darwin native, who subsequently moved again dwelling after he was identified with most cancers.
‘Listening to that was one other shock to the system, however one thing I needed to tackle the chin and cope with,’ he mentioned. ‘That is what this journey was, it was simply endless unhealthy information.’
He was 23 years outdated on the time he started his therapy, with the rugby participant present process belly surgical procedure a month following his analysis.
It was later found that he had Stage 3 most cancers that had unfold to his lymph nodes.
‘Listening to that was one other shock to the system, however one thing I needed to tackle the chin and cope with,’ he mentioned.
‘That is what this journey was, it was simply endless unhealthy information.’
However at age 23 his life was turned the wrong way up after he was identified with bowel most cancers
Reflecting on present process his first spherical of chemotherapy, McManus claimed he felt like he had ‘woken up from a coma’.
Recounting the horrific uncomfortable side effects, the now 24-year-old mentioned he couldn’t also have a sip of water with out it feeling like he had ‘razorblades’ slicing his throat. He added that the sensation made him cry, which he mentioned felt like he had ‘razor blades in my eyes’.
‘The medication additionally left me affected by each constipation and diarrhoea which was only a merciless twist after going by way of quite a few main abdomen surgical procedures,’ he mentioned.
However McManus additionally revealed to the outlet the impact it had on his psychological well being, claiming that he was ‘too scared to depart the home’ and did not recognise himself.
‘I went from being fairly a assured younger man, enjoying footy, at all times within the gymnasium, and folks would typically praise me about my determine,’ he mentioned.
‘Switching from that to being too scared to go to the outlets, too anxious to go wherever was so troublesome personally.’
In December 2023, he took to Instagram to thank all those that had supported him all through his therapy, posting an image of himself ringing the bell.
‘WE CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES,’ he wrote on the social media platform. ‘Six rounds of IV Chemotherapy accomplished. Nonetheless need to get by way of this one after which one other 2 rounds of chemo tablets, however that is undoubtedly a milestone worthy of a celebration.
‘It has been virtually 6 months since I heard the phrases ‘you’ve most cancers’. Since then it has been near nothing however unhealthy information and setbacks. I am lastly beginning to see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel and at this time it simply received a bit of brighter.
McManus spoke out on the uncomfortable side effects of going by way of Chemotherapy, claiming that consuming water felt like a razor blade was slicing his throat
‘Thanks to everybody that has supported me alongside the way in which,’ he added, with a ‘coronary heart emoji’.
His mom and accomplice supported him all through his therapy, with Courtney, his accomplice, shifting to Darwin to assist him.
‘Household was crucial to me in pulling by way of, and I understand how troublesome it’s to have somebody in your life undergo this,’ he mentioned. ‘They imply extra to me than they are going to ever perceive.’
After six months and 6 rounds of intravenous chemotherapy, McManus posted an image on-line ringing the bell in December 2023 on Instagram
He captioned the picture thanking everybody who had supported him alongside the way in which
McManus mentioned he could not have made it by way of with out the assist of his household, posting an image of his girlfriend and mum
Having now overwhelmed the sickness, McManus now has a brand new outlook on life and has raised virtually $20,000 for bowel most cancers reasearch.
Most cancers Australia estimate that 9.3 per cent of all new most cancers analysis instances are associated to bowel most cancers.
They add that over 15,000 individuals have been identified with the sickness in 2023.
‘I am pleased with the person this ordeal has made me into,’ he mentioned.
McManus, although, says he’s decided to get again out on the rugby discipline.
‘There’s nothing like enjoying sports activities and competing and busting your guts out on the sphere in your mates. I can not wait until I am match sufficient to get again on the market.’
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