Hunters forward sidelined

Sports
Isaac aiming for football return as he recovers from spinal tuberculosis

By PARKER TAMBUA
SP Hunters forward Dilbert Isaac has been diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis which has seen him out of rugby league since the start of the year.
The 28-year-old told The National yesterday that he was surprised when he got the news from doctors in December last year after undergoing an international normalised ratio (INR) test.
Dilbert said he missed out on the second half of the Hunters pre-season training because he was confined to a hospital bed.
“At the end of the first half of Hunters pre-season training in December last year I was on break when I started feeling a bit of pain,” said the Chimbu native who played two invitational matches for the Kumuls against the England Knights in 2018.
“I went to Kundiawa Hospital for a checkup and the INR (international normalised ratio) results came back and I was told that I was diagnosed with spinal TB. “I was shocked at the time because I thought I was healthy, I was playing and how could that be I thought.
“Anyway, I was then admitted at the hospital for two months.
“At the time I was selected in the final 30-man squad for 2020 SP Hunters team but due to my condition I could not return to training and I was dropped before the trials.
“Right now, I am resting at home (in Port Moresby).
“I have received prompt and adequate treatment which will take nine months.
“I am taking medication so I will complete it by November and from there I will go for a review and doctors will advise me on what to do next.
“I am not doing any training at all but I am able to do small exercises.
“Fingers crossed, I am hoping for a full recovery so that I can go back play some footy again.”

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