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Joost very ill - update

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The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Rugby Union

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Post by Adam D Wed 27 Jul 2011, 9:50 pm

Update on Joost's condition - not good news:

Johannesburg - Joost van der Westhuizen does indeed suffer from a deadly motor neuron disease (MNS) and has an 80% chance to live for two to five years.

This was confirmed earlier this week by Dr Jody Pearl, a neurologist at the Sunninghill hospital in Sandton.

"Joost was examined by Dr (Erik) Pioro, a leading expert on motor neuron disease at the neuromuscular unit of the Cleveland hospital," said Pearl.

Van der Westhuizen and Pearl visited the hospital in Ohio last week and returned home earlier this week.

Almost 200 neurologists work in the hospital.

"Dr Pioro confirmed that Joost does indeed suffer from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), which gives him a 80% chance to live between two and five years," said Pearl.

According to the medical text book, The Merck Manual, ALS is the most common type of motor neuron disease.

It is also known as Lou Gehrig-illness.

ALS causes motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord to shrink and disappear, and with voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralysed.

Pearl says it seems that the illness often occurs in sportsmen, but it is yet to be proven as such.

source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Doctor-confirms-Joosts-fears-20110727

Very sad news indeed.

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Post by InjuredYetAgain Wed 27 Jul 2011, 10:02 pm

Agree totally. I never liked him as a player but you have got to feel for him/his family now.

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Post by mpc28 Wed 27 Jul 2011, 10:10 pm

Thats terrible news, i was watching the 1997 2nd test between the lions and south africa a couple of days back and it got me thinking about how he was getting on.

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Post by Taylorman Wed 27 Jul 2011, 10:14 pm

Yeah best wishes Joost. Too early to have to go through that for anyone let alone such a great player and ambassador for SA rugby. One of my fave Bok players ever.

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Post by emack2 Wed 27 Jul 2011, 11:13 pm

Best wishes ti him and his family,THAT should`nt happen to any one.

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Post by nottins Wed 27 Jul 2011, 11:44 pm

Poor Bar Steward.

Such a shame.

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Post by Biltong Thu 28 Jul 2011, 6:49 am

Yeah that is tough, Andre Venter has a similar illness, he is wheelchair bound because of it. He said he spoke to Joost about remianing positive just as Joost spoke to him years ago when he contracted the disease.

He said the only thing that pulled him through was his family and friends.
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Post by rodders Thu 28 Jul 2011, 9:23 am

Sad news indeed. He was a fantastic player and it's hard to imagine how such a superb athlete can end up like this in such a short period of time.
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Post by Thomond Thu 28 Jul 2011, 10:34 am

Terrible news and it's a terrible disease. A big chance he won't even live that long.

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Post by Guest Thu 28 Jul 2011, 10:55 am

very sad news Sad my thoughts go out to him, his family and friends.

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Post by chewed_mintie Thu 28 Jul 2011, 3:17 pm

Utterly tragic, one of the players I hold in the highest regard as a fearless inspiration to young players of the late 90's

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Post by Effervescing Elephant Thu 28 Jul 2011, 3:25 pm

Terrifying illness. Sympathies to him and his family. Just horrible!
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Post by Countnefarious Thu 28 Jul 2011, 5:13 pm

He's been in my All Time World XV since 95, and, in all likelihood, will remain there for the rest of my life.

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Post by majesticimperialman Thu 28 Jul 2011, 6:41 pm

It is a shame. He was one of the best scum halfs in the world.

Best wishes to him and his family.

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Post by Guest Thu 28 Jul 2011, 9:43 pm

sad news coming from the rugby world today, that joost, has been given between 2-5 years to live, after being diagonsed with a form of motor neurone diesase.......

sad news for him and his family, and the rugby world.....

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Post by chewed_mintie Thu 28 Jul 2011, 9:49 pm

Already covered mate, but absolutely agree.

Will never forget how he monstered Jonah in 95

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Post by Guest Thu 28 Jul 2011, 9:53 pm

yep already covered but thanks CF, gonna merge it with the other topic now Smile

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Post by Notch Thu 28 Jul 2011, 11:12 pm

Awful news. It's a horrible, horrible way to go.
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Post by XR Fri 29 Jul 2011, 9:45 am

Dreadful news. He's hard as nails so hopefully he can fight it off and prove the doctors wrong

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Post by Islingtonv2 Fri 29 Jul 2011, 10:10 am

Sad news indeed, and i wish him all the very best.

The last line of the article is interesting though. Given how physical and brutal rugby can be at the very top level it wouldn't be at all surprising if a link was made between such diseases and rugby. Medical knowledge on the effects of multiple concussions is very limited at present, but even layman like me can draw a dotted line between cause and effect in these cases.

I think the IRB have generally moved in the right direction in attempting to protect players a little more, thinking particularly about the tight refereeing of high and spear tackles whilst keeping the essence of the game intact.

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Post by Guest Fri 29 Jul 2011, 10:15 am

Absolutely dreadful news.

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Post by fa0019 Fri 29 Jul 2011, 10:21 am

The guy hasn't had a great deal of luck since retiring, his life being spread all over the media in SA, the stroke last year and now his latest illness.
None of it however will take away the fact that he will go down as probably the best no.9 in the professional era for sheer talent.

Gregan was an outstanding captain and Howley could have moments of sheer genius but this man could win test matches on his own such was his skill.

The man is as tough as they get (he's a Boer afterall) so I'm sure he will tackle his problems with everything he's got and will defy expectations... wish him and his family all the best.


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Post by bathmad Wed 10 Aug 2011, 11:51 am

Saw my grandad go that way, horrible to watch. Sad news for all rugby fans.

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Post by RubyGuby Thu 11 Aug 2011, 9:27 am

Good luck Joost - You were one of the best 9's ever to play international rugby IMO - An absolute assasin of a 9 and one of my all time favs when not playing against Wales of course. Thanks for some great rugby memorys and good luck thumbsup

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