ON THE MEND: Former Wallaby Dan Crowley has the support of his daughters, Chaise and Jessica, after suffering a stroke at the age of 47. Picture: Liam Kidston Source: The Courier-Mail
FORMER Wallaby hardman Dan Crowley knows the stroke that suddenly floored him at just 47 could have been fatal if he'd been surfing or driving.
Whenever he dwells on why a fit, non-smoker of his age should be a victim, the one-time undercover detective is rallied by how lucky he is to be starting a determined recovery.
"My doctor has told me how lucky I am," Crowley said yesterday in his first interview since his world was spun upside down five weeks ago.
"I was just walking back from buying the newspaper on holidays when I felt the first bad headache and the leg went a bit wonky.
"I went for a two-hour surf with my son and drove back to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast the same day."
Two days later, he was being rushed by ambulance to Brisbane's Mater Private Hospital where he stayed for more than two weeks. A tear in the artery wall at the back of his head had caused a stroke.
"I couldn't walk or talk. My blood pressure was through the roof, I was really crook and I just couldn't make sense of what was happening," Crowley said.
Dan Crowley, centre, celebrates with fellow Wallabies John Eales, Phil Kearns, Tim Horan, Glenn Panoho and Daniel Herbert after the Australians won the 1998 Bledisloe Cup over New Zealand at Christchurch. Picture: Fotopress
Many times since, Crowley has wished he was dealing with breaking a rib in a truck-smash scrum collision with a 130kg South African, as happened in his 1990s prime as a prop.
"I wish it was a broken bone so the doc could say six weeks and you'll be right," the 1991 and 1999 Rugby World Cup-winner said.
"This is out of my control and I'm not used to it ... or being big on patience."
His balance has been affected, his vision blurs when he tires and the full function of his left arm and leg will take months to come back.
"A few weeks ago I couldn't walk or swallow. Now I can get to the front gate on a walking stick and I'm doing my rehab twice a day," the father-of-four said.
"My family and rugby mates have been great support. I can't catch a ball but my old teammates reckon nothing's changed since I played."
His humour nerve is intact: "... and I'll be speaking like Darren Lockyer for a few months, too, while I fix myself up."
Crowley was renowned for his durability during his career of 38 Tests and 124 games for Queensland and played a social game only weeks before his stroke.
A chief executive and managers are keeping his successful investigation and security firm operating at full-throttle.
Crowley has also had a reassuring phone call from London from 1991 World Cup-winning teammate Michael Lynagh, who is recovering from the stroke he suffered in Brisbane in April at the age of 48.
"We had a talk on the phone and it's good to know the progress you make and I've the same doc (Dr John O'Sullvan) who helped Noddy," Crowley said.
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