Footy legend reveals cancer battle that saw doctors give him as little as six months to live

Geelong legend and former captain Michael Turner has opened up about his battle with pancreatic cancer that saw him given just six months to live.

Despite a daunting initial prognosis, Turner managed to overcome the odds and is now looking forward to returning to his beloved pastime of surfing after a challenging year.

The Geelong Team of the Century wingman and 25-year boss of the Geelong Falcons' journey began in January when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, just as he was coming to terms with the loss of his mother. 

Faced with a grim prognosis of six to twelve months, Turner confronted his condition head-on, determined to fight for survival. 

The battle involved undergoing the complex Whipple Procedure, a nine-hour surgery akin to organ transplantation, and enduring 12 rigorous rounds of chemotherapy. 

'They took out half of my pancreas, my gall bladder, and some of my intestine,' he told News Corp.

'Plus, they cut out a couple of my veins, and then they cut a hole in your stomach, re-plumb you back the other way and poke your pancreas into your stomach, so you don't become diabetic and you can digest your food.'

The physical toll was severe, with Turner losing 16kg and struggling with basic activities such as eating. 

His once robust physique was reduced to a shadow of its former self, a stark contrast to the athletic figure he maintained during his football career.

'I have never feared death. What I fear is, and what I lost during that 10 months, is my quality of life.' Turner said.

He candidly spoke about preparing for his own funeral during the darkest times, highlighting the severe emotional strain he endured.

Despite these challenges, Turner, now aged 69, bravely persevered. 

His wife, Karen, was involved in a serious car accident during this time, adding another layer of adversity to their already difficult journey. 

As Karen recovered from her injuries, Turner continued his fight against pancreatic cancer, facing the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy.

Turner described his chemotherapy experience as akin to 'putting Roundup (weed killer) in your system, causing extreme fatigue, digestive issues, altered taste perceptions, and overall discomfort. 

Recognising the toll it was taking on his body, Turner opted for a month-long break from treatment to regain strength before completing the remaining chemotherapy doses.

After completing the full 12 rounds of chemotherapy, Turner received an acknowledgment of his achievement. His blood cancer count, initially at 700, had dramatically reduced to 25, marking a significant improvement.

While Turner acknowledges the potential risk of pancreatic cancer recurrence, he remains grateful for the opportunity to regain his lifestyle and cherish moments with his family. 

Looking forward to returning to the surf and celebrating Christmas with his grandchildren, Turner is a true embodiment of triumph over adversity. 

'I am getting my life back, getting my lifestyle back. I'm back up to 70kg and I'm incredibly grateful,' Turner said.

'I'm realistic about it all. There is a fair chance it will come back and if it does then so be it.

'I can't go through the operation and the chemo again. If it did come back it would just be radiotherapy.

'But sitting here talking to you now I feel really good. I'm exercising and putting on weight again.

'I was able to travel to New Zealand to see my son and his partner, and I have been lucky to have incredible support from my family and my specialists.

'It's been very challenging, but I'm one of the lucky ones.'