Emergency Appendectomy

By Adonal Foyle

As you know, I had a little episode not long ago. It happened during the second day of my two-day basketball camp in Morgan Hill, Ca. and I felt so bad that I wasn't able to complete the day with the kids.

On Friday, July 13, I woke up with my stomach not feeling right. It almost felt like a cramp. I thought it was something I ate the other night, so I didn't think much of it. I got up and got ready for the second day of camp, hoping that the pain in my stomach would just go away. I got to the camp, played with the kids and had a good time. But my stomach just kept bugging me (it felt like there was a big knot inside).

Eventually, I realized that I needed to go see someone because it wasn't going to ease up. I went to see a local practitioner, who then sent me to the nearby hospital to run some tests. After the results came in, I learned that I had an "acute appendicitis" and I needed an immediate appendectomy. I don't remember much after they gave me the anesthesia.

Having this type of surgery is mentally different from having an operation to repair an injury from basketball. In the 2003-2004 season, I had some work done on my knee. Days prior to the operation, I prepared myself for what needed to be done. When it came to having an appendectomy, it came to a complete surprise. I didn't wake up that morning, thinking I was going to be need surgery. Then again, I didn't have enough time to prepare myself for this particular operation. So in a lot of ways, this type of surgery was better. Because when it came to having to have my knee repaired, I had my career to think about. In this case, it was all about "we have to do it now. So, get out of bed and let's do this." So in a way, this was better because I didn't have a lot of time to think about it.

When you're a professional athlete, you want to avoid any kind of operation as much as possible. Nevertheless, it had to be done.

I was very confident in the doctor who was going to do the procedure. He informed me that even though nobody knows what causes an aggravated appendix, he's done these operations a million times and that it was a simple procedure.

I was discharged from the hospital less than 48 hours later. They told me to stay off my feet for a few days, so all I've been doing is stay at home, reading, watching DVDs and catching up with friends on the phone. Later in the week, I gathered enough strength to go a coffee house, just to get out of the house for a while. And within a week, I should be back in the gym, getting back in shape and preparing for the season.

I want to thank the staff from my basketball camp for letting the show go on while I was gone. I truly appreciate your efforts. And I especially want to thank all of you, the fans, for your concerns, well wishes and e-mails. I will be back on my feet before you know it.