Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams says he is "counting his blessings" after finding himself in hospital with an infected wound after surgery.
Williams took to social media last night to share a message with followers that he had undergone emergency treatment, following his fourth neck surgery earlier this month.
"My wound got infected from the surgery, so I had to rush up to the hospital... went up to the emergency ward, been up here for a couple of days now."
He said the "worrying bit" is the infection's close proximity to his spinal cord.
From his hospital bed, Williams shared the Islamic quote: "The crown of health can only be seen from those that are sick."
He said being in hospital surrounded by other patients made his problems seem small.
"I was sitting in the emergency ward next to a lady who just finished her chemo, and she was back in because they found more cancerous cells.
"The other bloke, a really good guy, he has no stomach but he's so optimistic."
Williams urged his followers to visit the sick.
"Because there's so much hikmah (wisdom) in it, there's so much blessings in it because it just teaches you to be a bit more grateful."
Williams posted another video earlier this month to warn young athletes and their parents of the realities that come with a career in professional sport.
"Remember professional sport at the highest level is a business.
"I ain't got no one here paying my bills from back in the days, no organisations, no CEOs ringing me making sure I'm okay."
However, he said he would never change his path as a sportsman.
"It brought me so much joy and it allowed me to change the trajectory of where my family was headed."
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a fiery exchange caught on camera at a United Nations meeting and concerns about the risk to NZ now H2N1 bird flu's been found in Australia. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME