HAWTHORN star Jarryd Roughead is one scan away from getting the all-clear from doctors, after having a melanoma removed from his bottom lip last week.
The 28-year-old returned to the club on Monday and said he was doing well.
“Obviously the last week’s been a little bit full on, but I’ve got some good results and some good news – so it’s the best news we could ask for,” Roughead said.
“Now it’s just a matter of healing and getting back out there.”
The vice-captain has received positive news from tests so far and is expecting to know the final outcome by early next week.
“It puts everything into perspective when something like this happens, so obviously the club and myself just wanted to make sure that everything was going right,” he said.
“The tests needed to be done and that’s what we did – we’ve still got one more, but everything’s been good so far.”
The last week has been a whirlwind for Roughead, who has stitches in his lip and is currently only able to consume liquids and soft foods.
“Last Wednesday I went in and had the operation. It was all pretty quick for me – obviously I found out last Tuesday and then booked in for surgery Wednesday,” he said.
“It went well and it’s healing, but eating isn’t going well so far.
“It’s just soups and liquid at the moment – and soft foods – so there’s no steaks or big chicken meals or anything like that at the moment.”
The key forward resumed light training on Monday, and is still working out what he can and can’t do.
“I came out on Monday and had a little bit of a run around with the boys, but it was a bit cold outside, so I couldn’t run too well,” Roughead said.
“I got in the gym here and did a bit of weights, so over the next couple of days we’ll get involved a bit more and work out what we can do.”
Roughead said he had been overwhelmed with the support from the club, fans and the AFL community.
"That was one of the nicest things, when it got released last Thursday, the amount of text messages and messages over social media from obviously the Hawthorn family but also the whole AFL community and everyone really,” he said.
“That’s what gets you through – knowing that we’ve got a good group here at Hawthorn and obviously the AFL community as well, with everyone sending their well wishes, that gets you back pretty quick.
“I can’t smile yet – I will get it all back, it’s just a matter of the lip stretching.
“If I don’t look like I’m smiling or happy, I am, it’s just I can’t at the moment.”
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