Johnny Holland, the coach of the 49ers, has been battling cancer for three years, but he is optimistic. The first time an athlete passes away is when their playing days come to an end, according to a popular saying. Johnny Holland’s initial death, which occurred when he was forced to resign from the National Football League at the pinnacle of his career, has had a significant impact on his life ever since he struggled to process the information that he received on September 23, 2019: He was suffering from cancer.
Holland, who is 57 years old and serves as the linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers, had a meeting with Dr. Tim McAdams, the team physician, at an office located at Levi’s Stadium three years ago this week. The news that his strained rib muscle, as well as the pain he was experiencing in his back and left shoulder, had a benign aetiology was well received by him.
Rather than opening the door, McAdams shut it. He was informed that the results of his CAT scan from the day before indicated that he most likely had multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that originates in aberrant plasma cells in the bone marrow and results in the formation of tumours.
The results of the blood tests that Holland had done the next day provided evidence that he was the third stage of the disease. It is estimated that the average life expectancy is between five and ten years. “I’m like, ‘No, what?’” I was completely unaware of it. Please tell me how you spell it. As Holland put it. One day, you believe that you are in good health. The following day, you will be performing blood work.
I will begin my chemotherapy treatment the following day. It defied belief that something like that could take place. The beginning of an emotional odyssey that would last for three years.
There is currently no known cure for multiple myeloma, and the disease is notorious for returning after periods of remission. Holland will not emerge victorious from his fight unless there is a breakthrough in medical treatment. A remission has been restored in Holland.
The aberrant plasma cells that were increasing almost a year ago have been removed as a result of a clinical trial that he is currently participating in at UC San Francisco. This trial has forced him to quit the team for the only time since he was diagnosed with the condition.
His mood is upbeat. His most significant physical condition is a hip that is in need of replacement, which serves as a reminder of the former linebacker’s seven-year stint in the National Football League with the Packers. The question is, how frequently does his cancer come up in his thoughts.
