Fran Kirby's Journey: Overcoming Health Challenges and Returning to Football
Fran Kirby sensed that something was amiss for some time, experiencing fatigue, nausea, and persistent brain fog. However, it wasn't until she collapsed in her hallway that the severity of her symptoms became undeniable.
She regained consciousness after a swift slap across the face and was informed that paramedics were on their way.
"I experienced extreme chest pain, something I had never felt before," Kirby recounted to BBC Sport. "I was bewildered; my head started to spin, and I felt the urgent need to sit down. I managed to walk across the kitchen, but then I completely collapsed in the hallway, losing consciousness. I thought I was having a heart attack."
The following day, she was diagnosed with pericarditis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart, which typically causes chest pain and fever.
Kirby’s collapse occurred in November 2019, leading to a lengthy recovery period of ten months. However, she made a triumphant return to the sport, achieving significant success in the five years since her comeback, establishing herself as one of the most talented players to represent the Lionesses.
During this time, she added eight trophies to her collection with Chelsea, lifted the Euros trophy with the Lionesses, and later signed with Brighton. Five months ago, shortly before England retained their European title in Switzerland, she announced her retirement from international football.
Despite contemplating an early retirement due to her heart condition, her return to the game has exceeded her expectations. "There were moments when I thought I couldn't continue, that I shouldn't put my family through this anymore, or myself for that matter," Kirby shared. "That was a tough realization. Yet, having persevered through it makes me proud of what I have achieved."
'I was crying down the phone on Christmas Eve'
Rather than marking the end of her career, Kirby's diagnosis initiated a challenging journey towards regaining her health and fitness. "I was at a loss, feeling agitated and extremely unwell," she reflected. "I was on strong medication, which I was initially reluctant to take, but I understood it was necessary. I just had to push through it."
She sought support from her Chelsea teammates and staff. "On Christmas Eve 2019, I called our doctor, Francisco, who was incredible throughout my recovery. I remember crying on the phone, expressing my despair over how ill I felt and how tired I was, sleeping 16 to 17 hours a day," she said.
At that point, football was the furthest thing from her mind. "My focus shifted from wanting to play football to simply wanting to be healthy again. Even if I couldn’t play football or run, I just wanted to be free of the dull, achy pain in my chest," Kirby added.
Her illness served as a profound eye-opener, instilling a newfound appreciation for the simple joys of life. "Walking my dogs became an exciting milestone for me," she said. "Returning to the pitch, being able to play and train again was incredibly rewarding, but the most significant moment was just being able to walk my dogs again."
'The pain in my chest was terrifying'
Since her illness, Kirby, who lost her mother to a brain hemorrhage during her early teens, has become more vigilant about her health. She prioritizes rest and recovery, understanding that pericarditis can arise after viral infections like colds or flu.
"I had been unwell for some time but dismissed it, thinking it was just fatigue from being a footballer who trains daily," Kirby acknowledged.
Emerging from her health crisis, Kirby returned to the field with renewed vigor, scoring 16 goals and providing 11 assists in just 18 league matches for Chelsea the following season, earning the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.
Now, she is particularly attentive to her body’s signals for rest. "I wouldn’t say I’m scared, but I’m certainly aware. I never want to experience that pain in my chest again; it was terrifying," Kirby remarked. Now in her second season with Brighton, she continues to manage her health with caution.
Despite adopting a more measured approach to her football career, Kirby feels the weight of expectations. "People expect a certain level of performance from me, and that comes with playing for Chelsea and England and achieving success. Whenever someone tunes in to watch a game, they expect to see the best version of Fran Kirby, and I can’t afford to have an off day," she concluded.