Renowned New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns celebrated a significant milestone in his recovery. He walked into a bar for the first time in over two years. One of the finest to represent New Zealand, Cairns has been steadily progressing since suffering a major heart attack in 2021.
On Monday, media reports confirmed that Cairns entered a pub, signifying a significant comeback to public life despite facing setbacks from a heart attack and a spinal injury.
Cairns himself shared a video on Instagram, depicting his entrance into the bar with the aid of crutches. Despite displaying some discomfort, Cairns maintained a resilient spirit, offering a smile as he rested his hand on a table.
“Day 1 of many that lie ahead…what a team…I’m so blessed and cannot thank you all enough,” Cairns wrote on Instagram with hashtags “not done yet” and “how you endure.”
Cairns underwent hospitalization in August 2021 after experiencing a heart attack at his home in Canberra, Australia. Subsequently airlifted to Sydney, he faced an aortic dissection, resulting in four open-heart surgeries. Tragically, a spinal stroke during the operation left him paralyzed from the waist down. Six months later, he received a diagnosis of bowel cancer during what was anticipated to be a routine checkup.
“I got the news about having bowel cancer just yesterday. It was a huge surprise and not what I was anticipating from a regular checkup,” he wrote on Instagram in February.
Acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s greatest all-rounders, Cairns maintains an active presence on social media. He used to update followers on his ongoing recovery journey.
Throughout his career, Cairns represented New Zealand in 62 Tests, 215 ODIs, and two T20Is. Cairns amassed over 8000 runs and claimed 400 wickets leaving an enduring legacy in the world of cricket.