Former Bulls striker Adam Stansfield will face another six months of chemotherapy before standing any chance of resuming his footballing career.
The 31 year old delayed the start of his next round of treatment to participate in the first day of Exeter's pre-season training, with boss Paul Tisdale telling the Express & Echo: "It was great to see him. He has lost weight but he is a lot more happy than he was at the end of last season.
"He has got a long drawn out six months ahead of him but it was lovely to see him on the first day back. He was so desperate to be here that he put his chemotherapy back a day to be here. He wants to keep as active as he can.
"He wants to be here and he feels that this is a place that he can get on with being him again. So good for him. I am delighted that he is here and let's hope that it all goes to plan for him and he will be fine.
"We are not even broaching the subject of when he might return. When he feels like he can't do anything then he will step out. He is one of us and it was just great to see him around the place."
Stansfield was admitted to hospital with a mystery abdominal problem before being diagnosed with cancer and having part of his colon removed in April.