Gold Coast star Kevin Proctor feared for his life following fractured throat

TITANS forward Kevin Proctor says he feared for his life as he recalled the terror of a fractured throat that left him coughing up blood and unable to breathe.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 17: Kevin Proctor of the Titans (L) and team mates look dejected after an Eels try during the round 24 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans at ANZ Stadium on August 17, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

TITANS forward Kevin Proctor says he feared for his life as he recalled the terror of a fractured throat that left him coughing up blood and unable to breathe.

Proctor has been cleared by doctors to take his place in the Titans side for their round-one clash against Canberra on Sunday after missing the entire pre-season with his damaged throat.

It has been a harrowing past six weeks for the Kiwi Test forward, who now can’t even recognise his own voice as he spoke of the innocuous training incident that threatened his NRL career.

Sounding like a Kiwi version of Darren Lockyer, the gravel-voiced Proctor revealed a simple collision with Titans teammate Brenko Lee in pre-season could have been fatal.

“That (death) was the worst case, so I’m glad I’m OK,” Proctor said.

“The doctors said it could have been much worse. They said my throat could have swelled right up and I would have suffocated.

Proctor could have died from the injury.

“It was pretty serious. I had to go to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for the first night in hospital. They were being cautious.”

Newcastle forward Rory Kostjasyn was forced into retirement last year by a fractured throat and as he waited nervously in hospital, Proctor admits his career flashed before his eyes.

“All I kept thinking about was that (his career being over),” he said.

“As soon as the doctor came out, I said, ‘Will I play football again?’ and they said, ‘Yes’.

“As soon as they said that, I was sweet. I don’t care about having a husky voice ... my missus likes it actually.

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“We were doing a contact session and I got an accidental elbow straight to the throat. Brenko Lee got me so I have his name marked down. He got me flush in the throat and I’ve got three fractures in it.

“At first I didn’t realise how serious it was.

“I tried to go back out and train and I remember having a drink of water and I could feel the bones in there cracking. I thought geez, that’s not good. I was coughing up blood. Then I thought, ‘S***, this isn’t good at all. The trainer said let’s get in the car and they took me to hospital.

“At first, I couldn’t breathe at all. I tried not to panic, the key was not to panic or I could have passed out.

Proctor is ond of the Titans best players.

“Thankfully, my throat has come good. It’s been siz weeks since I’ve done it and that’s the time it takes for it to mend. The docs says it will go back to normal strength.”

Proctor could have an operation immediately, but that would sideline him for six to eight weeks. Instead, he plans to have corrective surgery at the end of his career.

“I could have an operation now, but then it would be three weeks of not using my voice at all, no talking, and then another six weeks of no contact,” he said.

“I had a week of it not being able to talk and the kids were running mad, the house was a pig sty.

“The doctors said the longer it goes the better my throat will get. It feels OK now. There is no blockage of the airways. I will get the operation after my career.”