Former England international Kieron Dyer is still struggling to process the liver donation that has given him a second 'chance at life'
Dyer, 44, had been suffering from a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis with surgeons struggling to find a donor organ for a transplant to keep him alive.
The ex-midfielder, who had spells with Newcastle and West Ham, had been working for former club Ipswich when he was diagnosed with the condition. He revealed last year that doctors had told him he would not survive if a donor was not found.
Dyer spent several months in total in hospital before a compatible organ was finally found in September and he admits he will never truly comprehend the gift he received.
"The fact that someone else died so that I might live is something I still can’t process. Maybe 99 percent of the population only gets one chance of life and I have been given two. The burden of living my life right and making them proud is a momentous thing," Dyer told the Mail.
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"I will try and live every day to the fullest, try not to waste a single day. I have got a lot more positive outlook on life now. It’s a shame that it took someone else’s tragedy for me to be able to see it."
Dyer has vowed to never drink alcohol again as he does not want to 'jeopardise' his liver. He plans to contact the family of the person who made the donation but admits: "Every time I think about starting the letter to their family, I can’t find the words.
"It’s a heartbreaking thing. You want to thank them so much. It is because of them and the donor that you’re alive. They have given me a second chance but they have lost someone close to them. I wouldn’t know what to say if I met my donor’s family. I would probably break down and just cuddle them and not let them go."
Dyer celebrates after scoring for Newcastle (PA)Dyer also paid tribute to his own family, particularly his wife Holly, their children and his mum. He insists he going through the transplant has made him realise that his loved ones are "more important than anything else."
Dyer won 33 caps for England during his playing career and was named in the PFA Team of the Year during an impressive season with Newcastle in 2003. He struggled with injuries after leaving St James' Park and retired in 2013.
He admits he has been blown away by the support from football fans, both from clubs he has played for and their rivals. He adds: "The outpouring of love from family and friends and the football world was so powerful."
Dyer is back in football as first-team coach at Chesterfield, who currently sit top of the National League after narrowly missing out on promotion through the play-offs last season.
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