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Udeze's goal: 'in my jersey on sideline'
By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune
January 27, 2009
While the majority of his Vikings teammates are enjoying time away from football, Kenechi Udeze's focus remains on the day he will be able to step on the field again.
Nearly a year after his acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was diagnosed and six months after undergoing a bone-marrow transplant that forced him to sit out the 2008 season, Udeze expressed confidence Monday he will be able to take part in the Vikings' offseason workouts.
"My goal is when the team gets back together, I'll be in my jersey and on the sideline with them," he said. "If I didn't feel [positive about] it, I wouldn't be saying it. If something drastic happens, then that is that, but I can bounce back from this."
The defensive end still has a few months before the Vikings' offseason program begins April 6. Today will mark an important step in his recovery. He is scheduled to undergo a six-month biopsy at the University of Minnesota to determine how his white blood cells are maturing.
ALL is a fast-growing cancer of those cells that can prove fatal, but the fact that Udeze's older brother, Thomas Barnes, tested as a 100 percent match for the transplant was a best-case scenario. "It's been nothing but good news [so far], so let's hope for the best," Udeze said.
The 2004 first-round draft pick began working out at his alma mater, Southern California, about three weeks ago. His weight topped out at a high of about 320 pounds but is now between 265 and 270 and his appetite has returned.
The bloating and puffiness Udeze experienced during treatment also has given way to the more defined look he had before getting sick.
"I'm feeling good," he said before pausing. "I'd actually have to say great. I'm doing great. I'm being seen now once a month [by doctors] and just following what they've been telling me. The load of [medication] has dropped tremendously."
Udeze, who resumed taking courses at USC and will graduate with a degree in sociology after finishing up four classes this semester, didn't just return to the Twin Cities for today's appointment. He also was back to speak at an event at Chaska Middle School West that involved the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Pennies for Patients" program.
The school raised just over $30,000 last year, the best of any middle school in the country. Udeze applauded the work of the children, encouraged them to continue raising money and talked about his own battle. He also made it clear he would return.
"If you know me, you know that nothing is going to stop me from living out my dream and continuing my dream," he told reporters. "That's why I say I'm tired of the questions [about coming back], because if you don't know me then just watch what I'm going to do."
By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune
January 27, 2009
While the majority of his Vikings teammates are enjoying time away from football, Kenechi Udeze's focus remains on the day he will be able to step on the field again.
Nearly a year after his acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was diagnosed and six months after undergoing a bone-marrow transplant that forced him to sit out the 2008 season, Udeze expressed confidence Monday he will be able to take part in the Vikings' offseason workouts.
"My goal is when the team gets back together, I'll be in my jersey and on the sideline with them," he said. "If I didn't feel [positive about] it, I wouldn't be saying it. If something drastic happens, then that is that, but I can bounce back from this."
The defensive end still has a few months before the Vikings' offseason program begins April 6. Today will mark an important step in his recovery. He is scheduled to undergo a six-month biopsy at the University of Minnesota to determine how his white blood cells are maturing.
ALL is a fast-growing cancer of those cells that can prove fatal, but the fact that Udeze's older brother, Thomas Barnes, tested as a 100 percent match for the transplant was a best-case scenario. "It's been nothing but good news [so far], so let's hope for the best," Udeze said.
The 2004 first-round draft pick began working out at his alma mater, Southern California, about three weeks ago. His weight topped out at a high of about 320 pounds but is now between 265 and 270 and his appetite has returned.
The bloating and puffiness Udeze experienced during treatment also has given way to the more defined look he had before getting sick.
"I'm feeling good," he said before pausing. "I'd actually have to say great. I'm doing great. I'm being seen now once a month [by doctors] and just following what they've been telling me. The load of [medication] has dropped tremendously."
Udeze, who resumed taking courses at USC and will graduate with a degree in sociology after finishing up four classes this semester, didn't just return to the Twin Cities for today's appointment. He also was back to speak at an event at Chaska Middle School West that involved the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Pennies for Patients" program.
The school raised just over $30,000 last year, the best of any middle school in the country. Udeze applauded the work of the children, encouraged them to continue raising money and talked about his own battle. He also made it clear he would return.
"If you know me, you know that nothing is going to stop me from living out my dream and continuing my dream," he told reporters. "That's why I say I'm tired of the questions [about coming back], because if you don't know me then just watch what I'm going to do."
