One of our own going under the knife soon

[Adam]

Pryaing you get back on the court soon, Mark.

[Rufus]

All the best Mark and praying for a successful procedure and recovery.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

First of all, thanks to all of you for your comments. I really appreciate it. For those of you who know something about this stuff, the operation is to replace one of my heart valves. It's called aortic stenosis (sp?). I'm probably having the surgery in about five weeks but I have to "take it easy" until then, which means no running around a court. In fact, two days ago I had to go to the ER with chest pains and shortness of breath.

Whether or not I'll ever be able to return to officiating remains to be seen. Sometimes it's possible, sometimes not. Recovery time varies, but I know I won't be allowed to drive a car for two months. The only good thing about this is that my wife works at home and will be able to look after me.

Now if I could only win the lottery, I could pay for the hospital bills.

I'll try to stick my head on the board from time to time just to keep up on what's going on.

Mark,

Maybe you can officiate from a sitting in a chair at halfcourt.

[tref]

Thoughts & prayers with you Padg, get well soon!

[billyu2]

Mark, praying that all goes well during and after surgery. You sure have a lot of great support coming to you from your friends on this forum. I know you are going to do well!

[Daryl H. Long]

Mark,

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hope you can return to the court but if not continue to use your knowledge and expertise to prepare new officials and of course make veteran officials better.

[Mrcrash3]

Mark
My thoughts and prayers. If you can't ref, you know there's always the officials table. Maybe you can team up with you know who

[truerookie]

Mark, wishing you a speedy recovery..

[Toren]

My thoughts go out to you and your family.

[letemplay]

Originally Posted by Welpe

This isn't the off season for him, he's usually working 30-40 youth games a day on the weekend this time of year.

No wonder man...you're wore out

I don't know you but I enjoy your posts. Get that ticker fixed and get back out there. Good Luck and Godspeed!!

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Got a note today from a fellow official who mentioned he was going to have a pretty serious surgery in a few weeks....that it may very well be the end of his officiating days.

Keep Mark Padgett in your thoughts and prayers....wishing him a successful surgery and full and speedy recovery.

Even though he often speaks as if he dreads overtime, this game needs to go into overtime. Just don't puke on his shoes.

Been there done that. Prayers with him

[BktBallRef]

Just had surgery last week, myself. Found a rather large polyp during my colonoscopy last month. Too large to remove during the procedure, so they operated and removed the elbow where my small and large intestine join.

Lots of guys here who are approaching or who have reached 50. Do yourself a favor. Have a colonoscopy. The golf ball sized mass they found was benign, but a year from now, who knows? There's nothing to it. In fact, if I hadn't known why I was there, I could have woke up and never known what they did. Do it, it could save your life.

Mark, best of luck with your surgery. I'll keep you in my prayers.

[letemplay]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Just had surgery last week, myself. Found a rather large polyp during my colonoscopy last month.

Lots of guys here who are approaching or who have reached 50. Do yourself a favor. Have a colonoscopy. The golf ball sized mass they found was benign, but a year from now, who knows? There's nothing to it. In fact, if I hadn't known why I was there, I could have woke up and never known what they did. Do it, it could save your life.

I agree, a highly recommended procedure. Worse thing about the colonoscopy is the night before....talk about a rough pre-game

[grunewar]

Speedy recovery BktBallRef.

My wife has been bugging me to do this.....this may just be the incentive I need!

[letemplay]

Do it now, don't put it off. Like others, I had mine as directed by doc after turning 50. A few small polups were found they took out. They may have been growing for a few years, who knows. If I had not gone then and put it off like many do...first one year goes by then another. Next thing you know you may be 55, for instance, and have some trouble, only to find out something simple you could have and SHOULD HAVE done 5 years before could save your life..plain and simple.