Emotional Pagano returns to Colts after leukemia battle

• Colts coach Pagano returns to work after undergoing treatment for leukemia
• Pagano fights back tears talking about his wife's support
• Oncologist tells Pagano his 99% recovered

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano returned to work Monday, thanking his family, the Colts organization and the fans.

"The prayers, the love, the support, the outpouring ... I can't imagine being anywhere else and having a city and a community embrace somebody they hardly know," said Pagano, speaking publicly for the first time since being diagnosed with leukemia Sept. 26.

Pagano was greeted by sustained applause when he entered the room. He fought off tears soon after talking about his wife and family.

Of his wife, Pagano said, "She's a soldier, a warrior, my soul mate."

Owner Jim Irsay noted that it's Christmas Eve and the Colts are in the playoffs, adding, "The main thing we're ecstatic about is that Chuck is here and he's healthy."

Pagano has spent the three past months undergoing treatment for life-threatening cancer. He has been in remission since Nov. 5, completed his final round of chemotherapy Dec. 4 and was certified Friday as "99% recovered" by his oncologist, Dr. Larry Cripe.

The Colts (10-5), under the direction of offensive coordinator/interim coach Bruce Arians, made it their objective to extend their season to assure Pagano would return to the sideline this year.

They did so Sunday by winning at Kansas City to clinch a wild card spot and the AFC's No. 5 seed.

Pagano is expected to be on the sideline Sunday when the Colts conclude the regular season against the AFC South champion Houston Texans (11-4) at Lucas Oil Stadium and into the playoffs.

"I'm ready to go," Pagano said. "Dr. (Larry) Cripe told me, 'Be prudent, be smart how you attack this thing.' ... I still have a strict regimen to stick to. There's a plan for the next few years and the years after that. ... I feel great. My weight's back. My energy's back."

Pagano was asked about the "Chuckstrong" slogan and Twitter hashtag.

"The way I look at it is, my job has just begun," Pagano said. "Besides my job here ... my job now is to give back everything I can possibly give back to everyone out there who's fighting some type of illness, some type of disease, some type of cancer."

From the The Indianapolis Star