Alan Brazil returned to his talkSPORT breakfast show on Wednesday morning after undergoing a life-saving liver transplant, revealing he was only weeks from death. The 67-year-old presenter rejoined the airwaves at 6am, almost four months after illness forced him to take a break and undergo surgery.
Speaking to co-host Gabby Agbonlahor, Brazil explained that doctors finding a "perfect match" prevented him from having just "a couple of weeks to live". He noted that it was remarkable what happened after he finished his broadcast.
Emergency Hospital Transfer
Brazil recalled being taken to the hospital immediately following a morning show. After finishing his program at 9.45am, a car transported him straight to Addenbrooke's Hospital, where surgeons operated a few hours later.
The broadcaster revealed he had cancer in his liver, a condition doctors had suspected for months. Medical staff chose not to touch the organ earlier to avoid causing the cancer to spread.
Brazil described how fortunate he was to get an immediate donor organ. He explained that patients on transplant waiting lists can wait up to 18 months, or even arrive at the hospital prepared for surgery only to be sent home if an organ is not quite right.
Surgical Complications And Heart Failure
Upon arriving at Addenbrooke's Hospital, medical staff informed Brazil that a perfect match had arrived and they were proceeding immediately. He recalled signing forms and saying "goodbye everyone" to his crying wife, admitting he felt like he was "a goner".
The operation took seven or eight hours as surgeons dealt with a "horrendous" fluid build-up inside his body. Brazil suffered a serious complication on the operating table when his heart stopped for 40 seconds.
Brazil asked doctors if they used "jump-leads" on him, but staff explained that his heart started beating again on its own just as they prepared to take action.
Recovery And Ongoing Health Restrictions
Brazil stated that his immune system is not particularly strong and that he is taking a "massive" amount of pills. Doctors also instructed him to stay completely out of the sun.
During a recent week in Spain, Brazil had to sit like a "monk in the shade" with a book. He was unable to visit his favourite bars and beaches, describing the experience as "boring".
Brazil credited supportive messages from friends and colleagues, as well as listening to talkSPORT, with helping him recover. He admitted he is still not "100 per cent", but added that any progress is a bonus because he was originally "a goner".
