The popular CHEX-TV sports director of the past 33 years knew something wasn't right. He didn't feel well in recent months, but he was hoping to get through to his March 27 retirement date and then get it looked after.

However, the 67-year-old Peterborough native's body wouldn't wait.

A doctor's visit, followed by some tests revealed cancerous tumours near his bladder and kidney, one the size of a softball. The first operation, four hours on the table, came the same day. A six-hour operation followed two weeks later.

His work, a planned retirement celebration at the station, the colour commentary he does on Peterborough Petes' radio broadcasts with his son Pete, everything, came to an abrupt halt.

Three weeks later, Dalliday is home recovering with excellent news received from his doctor this week.

"The followup tests show they got it all," said Dalliday. "I won't need any more surgery, no treatment, no chemo. They got everything."

Still weakened from his surgery, Dalliday, who gets regular visits from a nurse and good care from his wife Donna and daughter Krista, says he's taking short walks and feels his strength coming back.

"I don't think I'm going to make it back for the hockey this year because it's going to take at least four weeks to get my strength back," said Dalliday. "But I fully intend to go back to work and finish up some work I left behind."

He still plans to have that retirement celebration with coworkers, it's just on hold.

"Everyone at the station has been so supportive," he said.

It has been an uneasy time for his family, but Dalliday says the test results this week have put everyone's mind at ease. There were so many visitors at the hospital, including people he didn't know, that a sign was put on his door requesting family only. He came home to a stack of get-well cards, which are still coming in by the handful daily, so large he hasn't got through them all, yet.

"It sure feels great to know people care," he said.

Dalliday also has a greater appreciation for the doctors, nurses and staff at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

"Thank God I was in the golden hands of Dr. William Meade," Dalliday said. "He's my new hero. The nurses and all the staff were just fantastic. I can't say enough about the care I received."

Dalliday will have to make some lifestyle modifications, but he's upbeat and looking forward to getting back on his feet and taking better care of himself.

"I don't want to go through that again," he said. "It wasn't a pleasant experience."

In the meantime, he'll be keeping tabs on the Petes by listening to radio broadcasts, which continue to be a family affair. His oldest son Tim has taken over the colour commentary, for now.