Eight months after his diagnosis for a rare form of bone cancer,Connor Jennings scored in his comeback game.
After scoring in his comeback game a few days ago, his phone pinged.
It was a message from the surgeon who had operated on the forward's shoulder.
She was really pleased when she read about me playing again.
The number 11 was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.
He wondered if he would see his son grow up.
On Friday, he hopes to help National League Stockport reach the FA Cup third round at League One Rotherham United's expense.
His journey from the operating table to playing and scoring again is a tale of steely determination.
"It's been a tough few months and I hope my story will help others going through the same thing," says Jennings. I feel like I'm coming out of the other side.
After scoring the winning goal in the League Two play-off final against Newport at Wembley, it was revealed that he had been diagnosed with a rare cancer.
I was not expecting cancer.
The passion with which he plays is what makes him popular in Stockport.
He received hundreds of messages from well-wishers when the Hatters issued a statement about the player's diagnosis.
There have been times when he has struggled.
He says he went for a check-up after having some issues with his shoulder.
That was in February. I thought I would need a minor operation. I didn't think I'd be told I had cancer.
I didn't want to get out of bed.
After a series of hospital visits, scans and specialist appointments, Jennings was given the news he had low-grade chondroid sarcoma.
sarcomas can affect any part of the body, from the inside to the outside, including the muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels, and fatty tissues.
15 people are diagnosed with sarcoma in the UK every day, according to the charity.
The former captain of Wrexham was warned many times that he would never play in a competitive game again.
His manager at Stockport, Dave Challinor, says that he was in a situation where he was looking at the end of his career.
Due to coronaviruses, I was on my own for a lot of the scans. I was told that I had cancer when I went to see my doctor in Oswestry.
There was a lot of emotion as I drove away. I was thinking about my little boy. The next day, they had a game. I thought to myself that I wouldn't be able to make that.
The players from the former club wore T-shirts in support of the forward.
My head was not straight.
Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the operation to remove the tumour was not allowed to be visited by Jennings.
The surgeon who was going to operate on the former player was positive for coronaviruses an hour before the operation was due to start.
"My head was all over the place," says Jennings. A substitute surgeon was brought in. I had a little panic.
The player has been supported by Stockport, who are looking to return to the Football League.
"I want to help Stockport get promoted to the Football League and repay the amazing care they received in theNHS," said the man who praised the "amazing" health service. I want to repay the people who supported me.
A tumour was removed from his shoulder.
I have a second chance.
The football fairytale was happening 13 miles from Old Manchester at Edgeley Park when Manchester United won at Villarreal in the first match after theSolskjaer firing.
The first time since his operation, the Hatters boss decided to send on Jennings.
He received a hero's reception from 4,568 fans inside Edgeley Park.
After only a few days of full training, he was given the all-clear to return to the starting line-up, and he was on the bench for the FA Cup first-round replay.
The reception I received when I came on against King's Lynn will stay with me for the rest of my life.
With his dad, Seamus, and brother James watching from the main stand, Jennings made it five after connecting with a 91st-minute cross.
He says that sometimes things are written in the stars. It was an incredible feeling to celebrate with my team-mates in front of our fans.
He has to have years of hospital appointments and scans to make sure the cancer does not return.
He is thankful for the second chance.
He says that not everyone gets a second chance when they get cancer. I'm very lucky.
My advice to anyone going through the same thing is to be positive.
If people see that I've come out the other side, that's great.
My support network was made up of family and friends. I don't know if I would have made it through the past few months without the support of my family, team-mates and my family.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, support and information is available at the Action Line.
