Newcastle United legend Terry McDermott has thanked the Newcastle medics who helped his family through their darkest days and urged the public to stand by the NHS.
The former Toon midfielder has revealed how his beloved wife Carole bravely beat breast cancer in his new autobiography.
And now Terry has told the Chronicle of his lifelong gratitude for the doctors and nurses at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
He said: “They were absolutely fantastic. I have seen first hand what they are like now and I can’t thank them enough. They have helped us through the most difficult time of our lives.
“People criticize the NHS, and I know there’s problems with the number of beds, but they are doing everything they can. You only really appreciate what they do when you, or your family, have been cared for by them.”
Terry opened up about Carole’s breast cancer fight in the recently published ‘Terry Mac: Living For The Moment’.
In the book he described how his wife was diagnosed last year and underwent six months of treatment, which included gruelling chemotherapy sessions
Terry, 66, admitted he was terrified when he first heard the word ‘cancer’.
But he said Carole’s consultant at the RVI, Dr Henry Cain, helped him cope.
He described how the medic explained what exactly what was going to happen and told him: “Terry, don’t worry about her.”
And the midfield star added that from then on: “... I always felt like she was in safe hands.”
Six months later Dr Cain delivered the news the couple had not dared hope for, that Carole’s treatment had been a success.
And the 58-year-old is now enjoying being back to full health.
Terry is now urging everyone to spare a thought for the doctors and nurses who work so hard caring for others.
“You don’t realise until you have been there and seen the hours they put in,” he added.
“I can’t thank them enough, not just for us but I have seen what they have done for other people too. They really do care, they are so good with people and make them feel at ease, and they are doing 14 hour days.”