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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/oct/29/michael-parkinson-learning-to-walk-again-after-spinal-surgery-chatshow
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| 'Not too great on my feet': Michael Parkinson on learning to walk again | 'Not too great on my feet': Michael Parkinson on learning to walk again |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| Broadcaster tells of long and unpleasant recovery from spinal surgery at 82 and not taking pessimistic view of prognosis | |
| Press Association | |
| Sun 29 Oct 2017 12.08 GMT | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 14.42 GMT | |
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| Sir Michael Parkinson has talked about learning to walk again after surgery on his back. | Sir Michael Parkinson has talked about learning to walk again after surgery on his back. |
| The 82-year-old chatshow veteran said he was able to “stagger around” and that his mind was still sharp despite his physical condition. | The 82-year-old chatshow veteran said he was able to “stagger around” and that his mind was still sharp despite his physical condition. |
| He told the Sunday Mirror: “I’ve been ill for the last five years. I’ve overcome prostate cancer, but it’s been a difficult period of my life. And my spinal operation has involved a long and unpleasant recovery. | He told the Sunday Mirror: “I’ve been ill for the last five years. I’ve overcome prostate cancer, but it’s been a difficult period of my life. And my spinal operation has involved a long and unpleasant recovery. |
| “But in many ways what gets me through is the thought of not becoming redundant. I don’t want to be on the waste heap – and that more than anything else is the best motivation for anyone growing old.” | “But in many ways what gets me through is the thought of not becoming redundant. I don’t want to be on the waste heap – and that more than anything else is the best motivation for anyone growing old.” |
| Parkinson said his surgeon came to him about two months ago and insisted he had the spinal operation after having “kept the inevitable at bay” for 11 years. | Parkinson said his surgeon came to him about two months ago and insisted he had the spinal operation after having “kept the inevitable at bay” for 11 years. |
| “So we did it, and it’s been successful, but you have to learn to walk again, for one thing, when you’ve had all that,” he added. “I’m still not too great on my feet but I can stagger around and do my work and there is nothing wrong with the mind.” | “So we did it, and it’s been successful, but you have to learn to walk again, for one thing, when you’ve had all that,” he added. “I’m still not too great on my feet but I can stagger around and do my work and there is nothing wrong with the mind.” |
| The broadcaster was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 and was given the all-clear in 2015, and said he did not “take a pessimistic view of it”. | The broadcaster was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 and was given the all-clear in 2015, and said he did not “take a pessimistic view of it”. |
| “Same with the spinal operation. I knew it wasn’t going to be pleasant, but I knew I wasn’t going to bloody die of it. I hope not anyway,” he continued. | “Same with the spinal operation. I knew it wasn’t going to be pleasant, but I knew I wasn’t going to bloody die of it. I hope not anyway,” he continued. |
| “A lot don’t do that and leave it too late. I know a couple of people who waited too long. You’ve got to get it checked because it is not a pleasant experience. Even if you survive it, there are still ramifications.” | “A lot don’t do that and leave it too late. I know a couple of people who waited too long. You’ve got to get it checked because it is not a pleasant experience. Even if you survive it, there are still ramifications.” |
| Parkinson was praised for speaking out about his prostate cancer diagnosis and raising awareness of the condition at the time. | Parkinson was praised for speaking out about his prostate cancer diagnosis and raising awareness of the condition at the time. |
| Michael Parkinson | |
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