Eight months ago Andrew Howarth's life was turned up side down after he suffered horrific head injuries.
Today the flamboyant youngster is back to where he left off, living life to the full.
Andrew spent one month in St George's Hospital and the majority of that time he was in a coma. He was given little chance of pulling through. Strength, courage and a will to live pulled the strong 18-year-old through this crisis and on the other side was his beaming family, so glad to see him smile once again.
Over the past eight months Andrew has been in and out of hospital on several occasions. He said that he has well and truly had his fair share of trips to the hospital.
Now there is just the regular check up and a few cat scans planned for later in the year and he can say good bye to the hospital.
"The feeling when I am heading back down for a check up is a bit scary, you never know if it is going to be good or bad news. I just hope it is going to be alright," Andrew said.
While in the coma, Andrew lost between 35 and 40kgs of muscle off his body and according to doctors at the hospital the only reasons he survived were because he played football, was so fit, not a smoker and did not take drugs.
Andrew is only now beginning to get back into the work force and is helping his father Frank, who runs a handyman business.
"I'm just doing some stuff with my father. I am looking for some employment at the moment but am not 100 per cent sure what I want to do," he said.
"I am a hands on person and have always liked that kind of stuff. My brother is the smart one and I am the sports man."
Before the injury Andrew was one of the finest rugby league players in Goulburn and the Canberra district and represented a number of Canberra Raiders junior sides. Now he is unable to take the field because of the injuries suffered but one day dreams of pulling the boots back on.
"I am missing football, but it is great to still be involved. Coaching the under-15s, managing the under-18s and running the water for firsts and reserves. I am still at the football every weekend," he said.
"It is a dream of mine to one day run out for the Stockmen, just for any game and to play like I used to. Fingers are crossed."
Andrew said he was so thankful for the support he received from everyone during the bad times.
"I thank everyone that cared enough to take their time to think of me, ring me and come and see me," he said.
"It was unbelievable that so many people cared about me. Everyone that cared helped a lot."
Andrew likened his family to a tower of strength after going through immensely tough times after the injury occurred. Andrew's family include mother Dianne, father Frank, sisters Tanya and Joanne and brother Tim.
"My family were just great, I give my heart to them. For them to see me come from my deathbed to back to normal has been hard for them.
They didn't leave my bedside the whole time, they were amazing," he said.
"All they went through, the stress and heart break, seeing me lying there not being able to breathe for myself, I say a big thankyou."
For his 'Nanna' Andrew said that she couldn't get any more grey hairs now.
He thought that she stressed a great deal because she was scared she would not get her grandson back.
"The day I walked through the door at the nursing home her eyes lit up to say ‘thankyou God'."
Andrew made mention of two people who, although they already have their own families, have taken him in and supported him since he has been out of hospital.
He also thanked the rest of his relatives who travelled from all parts of NSW to see him.
Andrew had a big thankyou for the doctor who saved his life, Dr Oliva Florica.
Without Dr Florica he would not be here. Dr Florica treated Andrew in Goulburn.
"Erica Jacobson in Sydney was great. She has been there for all of my operations except the one by Dr Florica. Her expertise in what she does is 100 per cent. She never made a mistake and took the time to talk to me.
"All the staff at Sydney were great, they were really nice and talkative. They made me comfortable in the hospital."
Back in Goulburn while the drama was unfolding Andrew's mates were going through a tough time and to make it harder his schoolmates were sitting their HSC.
"All my mates I thank to the extreme and the ones from all the schools that were doing their HSC, I am proud they kept going through."
A memory that sticks in Andrew's mind was just two days before his year 12 formal.
He was unable to make it as he was still in hospital but his year adviser Nancy Cheetham phoned him and asked him to write exactly what he wanted to say to the year on a piece of paper.
The message was recorded over the phone and during the formal some time was set a side and it was played to the year.
"It sunk into everyone's hearts, they were all relieved that I could talk. All of the teachers at Mulwaree were great," he said.
Andrew said that the Goulburn Stockmen had been great to him, by keeping him involved with the game and on the committee.
The Careflight helicopter was also a major help in his treatment and he asked anyone that could support Careflight to do so.
"I just thank everyone for taking the time to think of me, everyone who sent cards, flowers, rang me, came and seen me and thought of me during that time.
"It makes me appreciate people and things so much more, I am just so glad that it wasn't my turn to go.
To everyone, just cherish every second of life and don't waste it."
Andrew is just hoping to continue his affiliation with rugby league and is endeavouring to find work.
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