Collingwood's [and our ruck coach] Damian Monkhorst's tender heart strings
Ruth Lamperd
September 06, 2008
DAMIAN Monkhorst was accustomed to pressure, but he didn't appreciate the iron fist in his gut knowing his oldest son was dangerously ill.
Less than a year after a life-saving heart transplant, the Collingwood premiership ruckman's oldest son, Brent, is leading the life of a normal 18-year-old.
And, finally, Monkhorst is enjoying the peace every parent feels when the worst is over.
He has spoken frankly about the the nightmare when Brent became desperately ill.
The towering footy star has told of how he feared losing the son who helped him settle down and become a Magpie legend.
Monkhorst was just 21 when he and his high school sweetheart Trudi had Brent, the first of four boys.
Early last year, at 17, Brent was diagnosed with cardio myopathy.
Surgeons at the Alfred hospital inserted an artificial pump until a donor heart became available.
"Brent is a big build and needed a heart the right size to be effective in his body," said heart transplant surgeon Prof Don Esmore.
"Without the transplant, there would have been progressive deterioration of Brent's heart function. But now the chances of him living 15 to 20 years and longer are very good."
Monkhorst is still counting his blessings.
He told of the doctor who confirmed Brent's deadly disease crying as she gave him the news.
"Brent is an infectious kid with people. Polite and quiet. The doctor could see a nice kid," he said.
Brent is not a footballer. He plans to become an English teacher and dreams of being a rock star.
Last weekend, his band Our Fall From Grace played its first serious gig at a Fitzroy pub.
"I'm fine now. I can hang out with friends, play basketball and have a life again," he said.
Full story in the Saturday Herald Sun Weekend lift-out
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24301582-661,00.html
