Inspirational Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle has opened up about his courageous battle with cancer.
After previously defeating cancer in 1998 and 2012, Lyle has attained a mysterious disease which has left him with blurred vision.
“It’s got to the point where I’ve had to be hospitalised because of it, because I can’t really look after myself too well,” Lyle told SEN Afternoons.
In a touching interview with Andy Maher, Lyle discussed the mystery surrounding the illness he faces.
“Hopefully we’re getting closer to a bit of a diagnosis of exactly what’s going on, but at the moment we’re no closer to knowing why the vision has disappeared,” Lyle said.
“So we’re sort of still barking up a few different trees to try to figure it out.”
The 36-year-old underwent a stem cell transplant 205 days ago and is amidst an ongoing battle with an uncertain future.
“This could be something I unfortunately live with for the rest of my life, or it gets better with the treatment protocol that they figure out,” Lyle said.
“I’m hoping it’s the second version – that it is reversible and I’ll be able to get on with life again.
“But you’ve got to have that worst case in the back of your head that it’s not, and you’ve got to live with blurred vision.”
Lyle has been extremely brave throughout his health battle and concedes it can be difficult to deal with the consequences of the illness.
“Not being able to drive and not being able to look after your kids that well, and look after yourself that well either,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a tough pill to swallow.”
Throughout this emotional journey, Lyle has had some testing times.
“I had a little moment this morning where I burst into tears and sort of had a bit of a sook about it all,” Lyle said.
“It’s one of those things where there’s still a lot of things that I want to do in life.”
While the illness is consuming Lyle’s life, he is still managing to inspire others with tremendous bravery and an exceptional attitude.
“I guess I’ve still got that fighting spirit that I’ve always had and want to get through it and want to help other people realise that no matter how bad it gets there’s always that light at the end of the tunnel,” Lyle said.
Listen to Jarrod Lyle’s touching interview with Andy Maher on SEN Afternoon’s in the player below: