I'm just happy to be alive. ""I thought it was three to four hours when I woke up. I had no idea. Mum was always scared because of my heart so she's happy I've stopped too. View Matt Johnson’s profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. With this pathway in mind, Johnson is already viewing the game in a more analytical light.During surgery he needed eight donated blood bags – the entire body volume two times over – and while in the coma he lost 10 kilograms.Johnson's complications began when he contracted rheumatic fever - a disease that attacks the heart's valves – at 13-years-old.In 2018, the same year he broke into Tana Umaga's Blues squad, Johnson refused to give up the dream and thus opted to again go under the knife to replace the valve.The experience was even more distressing for Johnson's fiancé, Sky Sport commentator, presenter and rugby player Taylah Hodson-Tomokino, who watched events unfold from the sidelines.St Peter's College has, likewise, reached out by committing to push Johnson through his post graduate teaching course with the prospect of a physical education role at the end of it.A life that so easily could have ended last month is instead taking a different turn.Following his first heart surgery to insert an aortic valve replacement he was told he would never play rugby again, but after speaking with Robbie Fruean, the former Junior All Black who suffered similar heart issues, Johnson returned to the field to forge a successful professional career that also took him to the Melbourne Storm and to play rugby in Leeds.Four-and-a-half months after that second heart surgery Johnson was back on the field, only for major issues to arise last March when he had a stent inserted after discovering he had been functioning with an 85 per cent blocked coronary artery for two years. "I was functioning on 15 per cent blood flow. ""I never thought I'd play again - I never thought I'd play at professional level either - so I was grateful to be back on the field. View the profiles of professionals named "Matt Johnson" on LinkedIn. I talked with him after my second surgery and before this one as well. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Matt’s connections and jobs at similar companies. Robbie was a massive influence on me. I was really emotional when I woke up. They can get that stress off their shoulders now. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Matt’s connections and jobs at similar companies. "Johnson's latest operation was by far his most traumatic, lasting 19 hours and leaving him with an open chest in an induced coma for six days.In that time Johnson played for Southland, Northland and in two trial matches for Counties Manukau earlier this year.Matt Johnson is grateful to be alive and content to call time on his inspiring rugby career.Early last month the former Blues, Northland, Southland and Counties Manukau midfielder underwent his third open heart surgery – his fourth procedure all told in what must be one of rugby's greatest tales of resilience and perseverance.Despite his deep love for the game, Johnson is at peace with his immediate retirement.
I can do everything else just not rugby.Reflecting on a career that involved confronting more tremors than most will ever face, Johnson knows he could do no more having repeatedly put his life on the line to pursue his dream.After two weeks in hospital testing eventually identified a 5cm growth mass in Johnson's stomach.