Chris Cairns slept as those around him worked tirelessly to keep him alive.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now the former New Zealand all-rounder has offered an insight into what it took to save his life after suffering a range of health complications which culminated in a spinal stroke.
Cairns has posted a video on social media platform Twitter with a collection of photos and videos ranging from him laying in a hospital bed with wires strewn across his body and a scar on his chest, to heartwarming embraces with his family, rehabilitation work and a simple yet powerful thumbs up.
The 51-year-old was transferred to St Vincent's on August 10 having initially had surgery in Canberra six days prior for a reported aortic dissection - a tear in the lining of the body's main artery.
Cairns then endured weeks of complications, culminating in a spinal stroke, and has since thanked hospital staff, saying "you saved my life".
"There was a good portion of the last few weeks that I was asleep, as those around me worked tirelessly to keep me alive," Cairns wrote.
"Mel put together a few shots to catch me up and we added a couple from the last 2 weeks as I've started the rehab process."
Cairns played 62 Tests, 215 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches for his country between 1989 and 2006 and support has poured in from all over the cricketing landscape.
The former Black Caps favourite gave an update on his condition on Sunday.
"Just over six weeks ago I suffered a type-A aortic dissection which essentially means there's a tear in one of the major arteries of the heart," Cairns said in a video posted to Twitter.
"I had several surgeries and grafts and thankfully the specialists were able to save the heart itself. One of the complications that arose was a spinal stroke which in itself will provide me with possibly the greatest challenge I've ever faced in rehab going forward.
"Huge thanks to the team here in Canberra and in Sydney: to the surgeons, the doctors, the nurses, the specialists - you saved my life.
"Thanks also to all the well-wishes that have been sent to my wife and I: uplifting, humbling and so, so special."
He signed off his tweet by saying: "A long road ahead, but I'm grateful to be here."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram