If I was a painter or a builder I might not be here – now I’m back in EFL after open heart surgery saved my life
COLBY BISHOP has revealed he is lucky to be alive after marking his incredible comeback from heart surgery with a goal.
The Portsmouth striker scored 21 goals last season as the club won the League One title and were promoted to the Championship.
Bishop underwent a routine heart scan in the summer and it identified an irregularity that required immediate surgery.
With his wife Annabel heavily pregnant at the time, the 28-year-old feared his football career was over.
The open heart operation was successful, but he has been unable to play this season until making his emotional return on Saturday.
Bishop came off the bench in Pompey‘s 3-1 win over Preston in the 78th minute and he was on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.
The goal left him “overcome” and “a little bit teary on the pitch”.
He told Portsmouth News: “For me, scoring on Saturday has probably got a little more to it than when we won the title.
“Three months ago I didn’t know whether this was going to happen again, I didn’t know if I was going to play again. I’m very grateful to be here.
“I originally had a heart scan in 2014 at Notts County. I don’t know how, but I’ve missed it since.
“I am very lucky, I don’t see it as a detriment, I see it as being very lucky that someone found that.
‘If I was a painter or a builder or a dentist, I might not have had that heart scan and something could happen to me.
“My wife and my first child were at Fratton Park on Saturday, football is everything, but sometimes you have to sit back and think there’s a lot more to life.
“It’s just great to know that I’m now OK and I’m going to be OK for my family.”
Bishop called up on former Rangers and Brighton defender Connor Goldson and England rugby star Nick Isiekwe for advice as both have continued their sporting careers following heart problems.
His wife Annabel has also stood by him every step of the way and she posted an emotional message on social media after her husband’s comeback.
She wrote: “Hearing the words your husband needs heart surgery is something you never ever want to hear, especially not at 39 weeks pregnant.
“The scariest times were ahead of us, and we had no choice but to schedule surgery for when our baby was just 12-days-old.
“Despite the perfect photos posted online, my postpartum reality was actually in a hotel next door to the hospital whilst Colby was in intensive care.
“The road to recovery has been hard, incomparable to other football injuries.
“But Colby’s strength and dedication has been unbelievable.
“Everyone close to him knows just how much he has put into this, to be back three months later.
“Watching him step back onto the pitch, whilst holding my baby in my arms was all I ever wished for.
“The goal yesterday was more than just a goal, it was everything for our family.”