University of Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle announced that he has completed the latest in a series of treatments for multiple myeloma and is planning to return to working on a limited basis at the university very soon.

“I have completed this latest phase of my fight against multiple myeloma, and the outcome was extremely positive,” Battle said in a statement released by UA. “My wife, Mary, a licensed oncology nurse, has been an amazing force in every stage of this fight over the last two years. I was fortunate to get early detection, aggressive treatment by the best doctors, and entered this recent phase in reasonably good physical shape. All of those factors were vital to this positive outcome. However, maybe the most important factor has been the outpouring of thoughts and prayers from around the country. It has been overwhelming, and Mary and I are most appreciative.”

“At this time, multiple myeloma is incurable but is very treatable. Great progress has been made over the past few years and more is expected in the future. Longer life and better quality of life is expected from those with early detection, with good fitness levels, and the autologous transplant. The transplant process pretty much wipes out the bone marrow and the immune system temporarily, but rapidly regrows. The risk for infections diminishes over time and as the patient recovers from the process.”

Battle underwent a stem cell transplant under the supervision of Sagar Lonial, M.D. at The Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Ga on June 27. He was released on July 8, which was followed by two additional weeks of outpatient care before being approved to return to his home in Tuscaloosa yesterday.

“Mr. Battle had an uneventful transplant course and is recovering well, as we expected,” said Dr. Lonial. “He should be returning home to Alabama soon.”

Battle was appointed by University of Alabama president Dr. Judy Bonner and approved by the school’s board of trustees on March 22, 2013, succeeding long-time director Mal Moore, who stepped down due to health issues. Battle is an Alabama alum who played tight end for the Tide from 1960-62. He also served as Tennessee’s head coach from 1970-76 and owns a 59-22-2 (22-18-1 SEC) career record.