Jarrod Lyle loses vision in new mystery illness

Jarrod Lyle’s recovery from a third bout of cancer has been hit with a mystery illness that has resulted in a loss of vision and has the former PGA TOUR player back in hospital. Lyle underwent a haploidentical transplant and stem cell therapy back in his native Australia in December to deal with a third acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis and was recovering well until recently. In the last week the two-time Web.com Tour winner’s vision has deteriorated into a complete blur and doctors are baffled as to why. It is a condition that may be irreversible. “Dealing with it is not real crash hot, but hopefully we are getting closer to a diagnosis of exactly what’s going on,� Lyle said on Australia radio station SEN. “I’m having every test known to mankind to try to figure out what’s going on with it. “One of the head neurologists said it’s a very, very rare thing he’s only seen once or twice so they are not sure whether it is going to reversible or not, it depends on how much damage has been done up until now. “I hope it is reversible but you have to have the worst-case scenario in the back of your head and be ready to live with blurred vision – not being able to drive and look after your kids and yourself that well. It is a bit of a tough pill to swallow.� Lyle was first struck with cancer as a teenager but survived against the odds and then forged a decent PGA TOUR career. After his best ever result of a T4 finish at the Genesis Open in 2012, it returned. Miraculously he recovered once more and again tried his best to return to the TOUR but was unable to reclaim his card and as such returned to Australia to play his home tour, dabble in some commentary and take up a business selling golf apparel. The cancer came back again last year but he continues to fight. The TOUR family got behind his plight, helping to fundraise for his treatment and life with wife Briony and young daughters Lusi (6) and Gemma (2). The 36-year-old has had some dark moments but refuses to give in. “I just feel like my body has had enough – I feel like it is ready to give up. Every little thing that comes my way turns into something a bit bigger but I guess I just still have that fighting spirit I’ve always had and want to get through it,� Lyle admitted bluntly. “I had a little moment where I burst in tears and had a bit of a sook about it all but there are still a lot of things I want to do in life. “And watching my girls grow up and being there for them and being there for Bri as much as I can… those are probably the three main things that keep me going every day. “I realize no matter how bad it gets there is always that light at the end of the tunnel and I’m looking for that light, and while I just can’t see it at the moment I know it is there. And I know I have to keep fighting to get there.� With thousands of well wishes coming from around the world, Lyle also recognizes his fight can impact others. He expects to be in the hospital for a few weeks while more tests and a treatment plan are carried out, but he hopes things turn around again soon. “I want to be that person that people down the track draw strength from my story,� he said. Plenty already do.

Click here to read the full article…