Thomas Speaks with Media
Hey everyone, Etan spoke with the media earlier today. I’m sorry I didn’t post this earlier I didn’t want to take everyone away from the gameday blog. Here are the quotes from the press conference, also there is an article up on washingtonwizards.com.
opening Remarks:
“It’s good to be back. It was a long process, but it feels great to be back with my teammates and to be back on the road to playing the game that I love. I have known that I had a heart murmur since I was young. I found out when I was in middle school. I always knew that eventually I’d need to have something done about it. I thought it was going to be when I was 50 or 60. I’m blessed to have it fixed now.â€
On the outcome of the surgery:
“I don’t have a leaky valve anymore. I don’t have a murmur. My first question was can I safely play? Can I safely practice? Can I do all the things I want to do in returning to the game that I love? They told me yes, that wouldn’t be a problem.â€
On his recovery:
“After the initial six to eight weeks, they told me I need to take things slow. They put me on a great program. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to rejoin the team. The team doctors and the team physician have to be comfortable. This something that is new to them. They are being extra cautious, which is understandable. I have to let the doctors do all the necessary tests and then I’ll be back with the team.â€
More on his recovery:
“Once my sternum heals, it will be like any other break. You have to be careful initially to make sure that it is healed fully before you come back. That is the point that I am at now. My heart is fine. They want to run a few more tests and make sure that my sternum is fully healed.â€
On being back with his teammates again:
“It was great. The guys are funny. Everyone knows we have a loose locker room. Everybody welcomed me and were happy to see me back.â€
On how he thinks the Wizards have been playing:
“They’ve been playing great. It is really exciting to see. Everybody has been sharing the ball. The young guys have been stepping up. The bench has been productive. Everybody’s been playing great.â€
On how he monitored his condition before the surgery:
“It is something that I have known about since when I was in middle school. I have been having echocardiograms and stress tests and following my numbers for a while, and it was time to go in and correct it.â€
On having the surgery at the beginning of the season:
“I thought about waiting until the end of the season. I talked to several different specialists and they all said that I could wait, but it was not would they would do. I just had to think about it, pray about it, talk it over with my family, and make my decision.â€
WIZARDS HEAD COACH EDDIE JORDAN
On Etan Thomas:
“It was good to see Etan. It’s good to have a veteran back in the locker room. I’m glad that he’s back to doing what he really loves.â€
On Etan’s recovery:
“We understand that he has done everything diligently, he’s gotten himself in shape. He feels good, the doctor’s have given the direction to getting back the right way and he’s going to take those steps to get back. When you listen to him he’s very confident. He said: ‘I feel great and I’m ready to go.â€
Posted: January 21st, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from neal
Time January 21, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Sounds really good. I notice that Jordan said “he’s gotten himself in shape”. So it’s just a matter of having his sternum healed so he can take the shoulders and elbows of NBA play.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time January 22, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Thats the case Neal. However, there will be constant testing to make sure everything is ok, and both his doctor’s and the team doctors will continue to progress where he is at every step of the way.
That is why there is no real time table on it.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time January 22, 2008 at 10:05 AM
It does sound good — still, slow and steady is right in this situation. And it helps that we are getting a high level of contribution at the 4/5 slot right now.
If Etan can contribute some minutes in the playoffs, that will be a big plus — more probably than was expected when the season began.
Comment from tulsabtwfan
Time January 22, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Etan, I am so proud of you. You have been blessed to overcome this issue and I am so happy to hear that you are doing well. I smile every time I hear about you because you are doing so many positive things with your life. I look at how much you have grown and changed from the ol’ BTW days. All I can say is wow! I can’t wait to see you on the court again. I tell everyone in the Chi that you’re gona do great things, … just wait! Keep up the good work and may God continue to bless you and yours. (I hope you do the Charity ball game in Tulsa again…give me a reason to come home!)
-Christie
Comment from ChenierFan
Time January 22, 2008 at 7:43 PM
I am always amazed at medical science. Just think of it; Doctors were able to repair a valve in a man’s heart! There is something that sounds miraculous about that. It is so easy to take it for granted because Etan will soon be knocking people around on the court. I’m guessing that they probably had to stop the heart from beating while they repaired the valve. During that time, Etan must have been on a heart-lung machine. That’s pretty scary. But the alternative was likely a degenerating heart.
I just want to say congratulations to the medical staff that repaired Etan’s heart. It would be nice to introduce them at halftime of the game. They need to be recognized for all the years of schooling and training they complete to be able to perform these life-saving procedures. I know people hate the cost of medical care, but the people in the health care industry thenselves are some of the most dedicated, talented, caring and compassionate people you’ll ever find.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 22, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Cool idea ChenierFan. How about the game Etan comes back have the medical staff be honored guests? They will probably get almost as big an ovation as Etan himself.
It is amazing to think only months ago he had a serious heart condition and now we are talking about when he will return to professional basketball.
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Comment from piusdeaconfrank
Time January 21, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Great to hear about Etan’s health, but shouldn’t we worry about the chemistry between him and Brendan. Moreover, Blatche and Pecherov seem to have the middle backed up just fine, and our biggest need is a passable point in case Daniels and Arena cannot suit up. So, why is there no talk about moving Etan out, perhaps with Darius, to Memphis for Stoudamire and Swift? That will give us salary room in the out years for resigning the Blatche-Jamison-Arenas trio, bolster our point, and keep Damon away from Boston this year. Even if we have to throw in a first rounder to lower the Grizzlies’ risk, it seems like a good deal for us.