'I am grateful to be here' - Chris Cairns gives update about his health and thanks his well wishers

Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns had recently suffered a major threat to his health. After being in rehab and returning to gain complete control of his life, Cairns took to Twitter posting a video in which he explained the complications which he went through. He also thanked all his well-wishers who had sent in their messages while he was sick. 

A month ago, reports came in that the former New Zealand cricketer had been put on life support after suffering from aortic dissection. It should be noted that Cairns lives with his wife, Melanie Croser in Canberra, Australia. On Sunday, September 19, Cairns posted a video on Twitter sharing all the details of how things went about the last few weeks.

Thankfully the specialists were able to save the heart itself: Chris Cairns

In the video, Cairns was seen and he said, “Just over six weeks ago, I suffered a Type-A aortic dissection, which essentially means, there is a tear in one of the major arteries of the heart. I had several surgeries, and thankfully the specialists were able to save the heart itself. One of the complications which arose was the spinal stroke, which potentially provided me with the most difficult challenge I would face going into rehab.”

He further went on to thank the members of the Canberra hospital where he was treated. Earlier reports had emerged which suggested that Cairns became paralyzed from the waist down due to suffering a stroke during the surgery. The former cricketer also received help from New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association recently due to his condition. He was shifted to a special unit for his treatment of the spinal stroke about which he spoke in the video.

During this time, even Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand captain and an ex-colleague of Cairns had come along to show support to him. The two haven’t always had a good relationship, which has some challenging times, nevertheless, McCullum decided to help him and his wife. 

Cairns retired from international cricket in 2006 as one of the greatest all-rounders in New Zealand cricket history. He played 62 Tests, 215 ODIs, and 2 T20Is. Cairns has been fondly remembered for his century in the ICC Knockout Trophy final in 2000 in Nairobi, which resulted in New Zealand’s first-ever ICC event win.