This was the timeline: diagnosis, 17 November 2017; operation, 5 December; first game back, 4 February 2018. In the space of 76 days, my life changed completely. I was a fit and healthy footballer, battling for trophies with Birmingham City. Now I was fighting a completely different battle after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

When I found out the news, it was a shock. I’m sure everyone says the same thing. The timing was also not the best, although you could probably question when would be a good time to get this kind of news! It hadn’t even been a year since my dad had passed away, and my family was already struggling with this loss.

I feel like I’d actually come out stronger after losing my dad, as I felt I had to take his role in the family – like I had to be the strongest one. That’s something that would help me through this process.

I remember the conversation with my doctor, when he said the words I was dreading: “You have thyroid cancer.” I was silent. A minute passed, maybe longer. You have different thoughts going through your head. We didn’t have a history of cancer in our family at all and as a footballer you’re living a good lifestyle, eating well, doing lots of exercise. Basically, everything a doctor would recommend you do. I was questioning: “Why me? Why is this happening now?”

And then I was finally able to ask him the question no one wants to ask: “Am I dying?” I never had an experience with cancer, I didn’t know what to expect. He told me I had a high percentage chance of survival. So my next question was simple: “Can I play football again?”