were it not for my job with the smooth jazz network, i do not think i would have ever been exposed to stories like this. while writing and editing news articles for the smooth jazz network, stories about wayman tisdale began to circulate in my inbox.
the following is a synopsis of what i have learned about wayman tidale in the last few months.
oklahoma basketball legend, former nba player and smooth jazz musician, wayman tisdale was diagnosed with bone cancer in early 2007. he had been fighting the disease with every ounce of strength and optimism he could muster until his quest to get healthy lead him to one ultimate option; to literally take it out.
in an effort to eradicate the bone cancer from his body, in august of 2008 tisdale underwent a surgery that amputated part of his right leg.
though the procedure may sound drastic, tisdale remained optimistic, saying at the time, via a statement on his website, “i have put it in god’s hands and now have peace, knowing that this is the best way to put this disease in check.
“i have complete faith that this surgery will eliminate the cancer from my body and i’ll soon be back on the road doing what i do best. after recovery and rehab i plan to resume touring in the fall.”
the story goes something like this, in february 2007, tisdale broke his right leg when he fell at his los angeles home. while examining that injury, doctors discovered a cancerous cyst just below his knee.
repeated biopsies were inconclusive, but after almost five weeks, tests finally determined that the mass was malignant. he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. the cyst was removed and he had knee replacement surgery, then began chemotherapy.
with treatments not producing satisfying results, tisdale's only remaining option was amputation.
rewind twelve years, to 1997 when tisdale retired from basketball, that is when he turned his attention to his love of music. the guitarist began to make records and tour around the country.
“when life tries to get you down,” he says at the top of the title track of his latest album, rebound, “it’s the perfect time for a rebound.”
in june of 2008 tisdale’s album debuted at #1 on billboard’s contemporary jazz albums chart. the album title continues to reflect the state of his life, his career and his music.
since his ordeal tisdale has been stepping up his game with the creation of his foundation, which is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals with cancer and amputees by providing support and resources.
a recent post to his website read, “we are working hard to finalize the all new wayman tisdale foundation. but come visit the site and sign up so that you can be a part of the big movement! we need your support and we plan to have special items for waytru fans partners.”
less than two months after his amputation, tisdale was standing up and walking with a prosthetic leg, using only a cane for balance. in essence, he was doing after one month with his prosthetic what it takes most people six to nine months to achieve.
throughout his entire ordeal tisdale remained incredibly optimistic. both his body and his spirit have endured a lot in the last several months but neither seems to be shaken. “the biggest confidence,” he said, “is when i came out of surgery and i was still the same me.”
tisdale’s inspirational story was highlighted during a feature that aired on espn. the video of which can currently be seen on tisdale’s website, <a href="http://www.waymantisdale.com" target="_blank">waymantisdale.com</a>.
there is also an incredible video and article here, <a href="http://www.newsok.com/tisdale-taking-steps-to-recovery/article/3314156?custom_click=headlines_widget" target="_blank">newsok.com</a>. the video on this page contains an interview with one of tisdale’s doctors who talks about the technology built into tisdale’s prosthetic. apparently the computerized knee reprograms itself fifty times every second.
just something to think about.