Warwick Capper was rushed to hospital after his appendix burst

AFL larrikin Warwick Capper thought he had food poisoning until his “body went into shock”.

Warwick Capper and fiance Lisa Arocca enjoy a stroll along a Gold Coast beach earlier in the year. Pictures: Nathan Richter

Legendary AFL larrikin Warwick Capper has described his burst appendix emergency as a “life and death” ordeal.

“It was life and death, but I had the best doctors looking after me,” Capper told the Herald Sun.

“(The doctors) said I could have got septicaemia because my appendix burst and the infection could have got into my bloodstream, and it’s very dangerous.

“They said it was touch and go for bit there, but they were positive they could fix me.”

Warwick Capper is recovering in hospital after emergency surgery for a burst appendix.

The 56-year-old former Sydney Swans high flyer fell seriously ill in his Balwyn North home.

He was rushed to the Box Hill Hospital emergency department in severe pain.

“I’m still feeling pretty bad,” Capper said.

“It was excruciating pain. My appendix was perforated, so it was 20 times worse. My body went into shock. It was pretty scary, but I made it through.

Capper said he thought he had come down with food poisoning, and went to consult his next door neighbour, who is a doctor.

Capper said he expected to be in hospital for 10 days, so doctors can monitor any infections.

He creditted his next door neighbour, fiancee Lisa Arroca and medics at the Box Hill Hospital for saving his life.

“If it wasn’t for them, I would have been in big trouble”

“I’m looking forward to getting better so I can get back to the local footy and cricket clubs and see the kids,” he said.

It is understood Capper has been in pain for some time, but avoided medical attention thinking it would “go away”.

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