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Former New York Rangers center Ron Duguay had a scary incident last week when his daughter, Shay Thomas, revealed he fell unconscious at home and was injured.
Thomas posted to Instagram on Monday, where she revealed that her father passed out after being “extremely dehydrated.”
Duguay, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer earlier this year, also suffered from “varicose veins, portal hypertensive gastropathy, internal bleeding and an ulcer” after seeing doctors.
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Ron Duguay attends the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York on June 11, 2017. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
“Our father @ronduguay10 continues to show us how strong he is,” Thomas wrote on his Instagram post. “On Friday he passed out at home, was unconscious, injured a few parts of his face and broke a few teeth in a fall… this time it wasn’t from hockey. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital.”
Duguay’s cancer is in his liver, and Thomas revealed that “pressure built up inside the liver” after “surgery, chemotherapy and the pump.”
“This pressure can back up into the stomach and cause bleeding. The ulcer still requires further evaluation, but bleeding and liver pressure are the main concerns right now,” Thomas added.
Thomas’ post also contained a video of Duguay entering the back of an ambulance on a stretcher.
“He is still admitted to the hospital and receiving blood transfusions while doctors continue to monitor him closely,” Thomas wrote in his post.
Ron Duguay (10) of the New York Rangers skates during warmups before the start of the alumni game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 31, 2011. (Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
“Through it all, our father remains strong, positive and trusting God every step of the way. We will continue to keep everyone informed. Please keep him covered in prayer.”
Duguay was undeterred by the incident, saying, “I found my teeth on the bedroom floor” in an Instagram Story that showed a photo of him without some teeth.
Duguay revealed his cancer diagnosis in February, issuing a heartbreaking plea for help as he continued his treatment “in hopes of giving him the best chance possible.”
Duguay, 68, first spoke about his health to Page Six, telling the outlet that seeking financial support has been a challenge for him as someone who has used his platform to try to help others.
“I find it extremely difficult to ask for funds for all these costs that I am going through,” he said. “Normally, I help others.”
RANGERS GREAT RON DUGUAY’S FAMILY MAKES HEARTWEARING PLEA AS HE FIGHTS STAGE 4 CANCER
NEW YORK, NY – 1982: Ron Duguay #10 of the New York Rangers poses for a portrait as he walks the streets of New York circa September 1982 in New York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images) (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Duguay was diagnosed with colon cancer over a year ago, losing his appendix and gallbladder during treatment. His family launched a GoFundMe campaign to share details of his condition and plans for further treatment.
“Our father has never been someone to ask for help…especially when it comes to money. He has always tried to handle everything alone and didn’t want to put what he’s going through on anyone else. But after many conversations as a family, we decided to create this fundraiser for him because we saw first-hand the toll this battle took on him, both physically and financially,” the family wrote in the campaign post.
“Due to his cancer, he hasn’t been able to work like he normally would, but he continues to fight with everything he has. Earlier in his treatment journey, the care he received in Florida almost cost him his life. That led us to bring him to Orange County, where my sister and I live, so he could receive treatment here…and fortunately, it has helped him so far.”
Duguay was one of the Rangers’ most recognizable players of the late 1970s and early 1980s after being drafted 13th overall in 1977. He was instrumental in the team’s run to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.
Ronald McDonald House New York Foundation Deputy Director of Special Events and Relations Jerome Kelton and New York Rangers alumnus Ron Duguay attend Skate With The Greats at Ronald McDonald House New York on February 21, 2020, in New York. (Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Ronald McDonald House, New York)
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He played in 864 games during an 11-year NHL career, recording 274 goals and 346 assists. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings.
Duguay is in a relationship with former Republican vice presidential candidate and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who has been a strong supporter of the former NHL player throughout his battle with cancer.
