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Exclusive Interview of Yao Ming (By Shanghai Morning Post)

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by pryuen, Mar 6, 2008.

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pryuen Member

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Saw this article in major Chinese websites: an exclusive interview of Yao Ming by Chen Min of Shanghai Morning Post.

This could be the very first exclusive interview of Yao Ming right after his surgery on the stress fracture of his left ankle.

ENJOY !!!

http://www.chinanews.com.cn/ty/nba/news/2008/03-05/1181943.shtml

(It was) around dawn yesterday Beijing standard time; Yao Ming had just completed a surgery at the Memorial Hermann ~ Texas Medical Centre to repair the stress fracture of his left ankle. In order not to harass or disturb the patient, the reporter originally intended to just send him a short message, congratulating him on a successful surgery. The reporter never thought that within a short while, Yao Ming called her back. That was already yesterday 12:45 am Beijing standard time (March 5), aka 22:45 pm Houston local time (March 4). Yao Ming was still staying at the Memorial Hermann ~ Texas Medical Centre (under surveillance).

"(This is my) 4th surgery in three years, and 4 nails (of stainless steel in my body).” This was how Yao Ming described about his latest surgery yesterday. He had undergone such frequent setbacks of sicknesses and injuries in the past 3 years that it seemed he was somewhat already accustomed to facing with them. More importantly, such injuries might have hit and stopped him physically, but he could still assess the situation optimistically and deride such setbacks caused by the sicknesses and injuries.

in April, 2006, Yao Ming fractured the fifth metatarsal bone on his left foot (aka his left toe), and had to undergo surgery for the 3rd time in his life; there and then, the very first nail made of stainless steel was implanted into his body at the fractured bone. In less than 2 years, he had to lay down again on the surgery table and this time, the surgery also involved steel nail implants. Yao Ming still managed to crack a joke about this: “Perhaps the biggest news this time was that 3 stainless steel nails were implanted.”

According to what was previously planned about the surgery, the doctor will implant stainless steel nails into Yao Ming’s fractured tarsal navicular bone of his left foot to speed up the healing of the bones. The entire surgery lasted approximately 3 hours, and was conducted microscopically, meaning the surgery was conducted, relying on usage of endoscopes and other imaging techniques that there would not be the necessity for the doctors to create too large an opening in the patient’s wound.

The only thing was even Yao Ming had not thought or was not aware that 3 stainless steel nails were required. “I have gone through beforehand materials correlated with the surgery (prepared by the medical team), but had not read too detailed and specifically.” Yao Ming said, “Moreover, originally, they told me 2 stainless steel nails will be implanted. But during the surgery, they discovered that my bones are too big, and therefore they have to use 3 instead of 2.”

Regardless whether those stainless steel nails are big or small, to a healthy normal person, the thought of implanting them in vivo sounds too painful and even horrible. But when you listened to Yao Ming, it actually let you feel it was not some big deal. “In any case, I was (under Anaesthesia and ) fast asleep, and I could not see. Also, it is the same; 2 or 3 nails do not make that much big difference. Moreover, those nails are implanted and buried into the bones, and will not be rubbing against the muscle or skin.” Yao Ming said.

So when people repeatedly reiterated that ever since Yao Ming started his career as a professional basketball player 11 years ago at the Shanghai Sharks, he was vulnerable to innumerable injuries and sicknesses, Yao Ming could still smile there and then and deride his injuries by saying: “If God is to bestow great responsibility and importance to a man, he must rack and test his will and labor his bone and sinew. 天将降大任于斯人也，必将苦其心志，劳其筋骨…… “, and now even when the numbers of stainless steel nails in his body increase, Yao Ming could still brush it off and discuss it with ease. So Yao Ming is not soft and fragile as people imagine he was.

"Yao felt comfortable and could talk immediately after the surgery. We will continue to monitor his recovery and begin an aggressive rehabilitation (once he is physically deemed ready)." Said the chief operating surgeon, Tom Clanton to the media immediately right after the surgery considered to be successful.

Even right after the surgery, Yao Ming still had this lingering fear when talked about this stress fracture of his left ankle. “Actually, prior to taking the MRI, all tests were aimed originally for bone spurs, as everyone thought that my foot pain was caused by the bone spurs. We never thought that during the MRI, we found out about this stress fracture. Even though the bones had yet to be broken, the way that I’m competing and playing basketball year-in and year-out without any rest, they will definitely break sooner or later. When it does happen then, it will be much troublesome and disastrous.”

Moreover, Yao Ming further disclosed: “Although according to the doctors’ diagnosis, cross sectional wise, if 2 bones completely split and part from each other is considered 100%, then right now I’m only 5%. But actually, when such fractures leak in now to my bones, the 2 bones are considered split and parted already.”

While the current surgery was aimed to repair the fractured tarsal navicular bone of his left foot, it was discovered that there were also quite a lot of hairline cracks around his ankle bone. So will the current surgery be helpful to prevent the proliferation of such hairline cracks? “Actually, that was exactly why they have to implant 3 stainless steel nails to strengthen the bone and prevent the hairline cracks to aggravate.” Yao Ming further explained.

Within this surgery, other than the implant of the stainless steel nails into his tarsal navicular bone, the doctors also removed the bone spurs on Yao Ming’s malleolus instep; this can enlarge the sphere of actions/movement of his foot, as well as can help to disperse the pressure on his left foot/ankle.

"I am leaving the hospital tomorrow." Yao Ming said. And the stitches on his wound will be removed within 10 days of the surgery. And his recuperation/rehabilitation can officially start.

Right now the big question hangs around in everybody’s mind is when will Yao Ming be thoroughly restored to health. Even though Yao Ming had vowed previously that he will not hesitate to pay all prices to be able to attend and play in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, more people hope that after all, he placed his health in top priority first.

Regarding this, Yao Ming said something like this: “Even though the doctors had indicated a timeline for my returning to health, it eventually will be entirely up to individual feeling. And now my foot is already cast in gypsum plasters….” But at the same time, Yao Ming also said: “I anticipate that I will recuperate and get better day by day. If the doctors said I can restart my training, I will gladly comply with their advices. I am more anticipative that I will be able to return soon to the Houston Rockets team, and even if I can only sit on the bench to cheer, rave and support my team mates, I still consider that my honor.”

In order to be able to return soon to the Houston Rockets, in order not to disrupt his dream of playing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Yao Ming actually has a concrete rehabilitation plan with him already, some details of the plan he actually had implemented and executed in some of his previous injuries. For instance, he was absolutely very clear about this point: “First, I need a 6-week long convalescence. During this forthcoming 6 weeks, I cannot do any exercise or practice with my feet/ankle. I must let it rest and wait for its complete healing. But it should not affect training on the other parts of my body.”

Other than the medical/rehabilitation equipment and devices of the Houston Rockets and the hospital, Yao Ming can use a therapeutic cooling compression equipment of most advanced technology to quicken the healing of his swollen ankle. While simultaneously working out on the strength and conditioning of his upper limbs, if under the premise that his foot/ankle recovers and heals smoothly as planned, he can also make use of a treadmill of most advanced technology for weightless running. The advantage of this treadmill is that his foot will not be pressurized upon contact with the footboard of the jogging machine, such that he needs not apply force and contact on his injured foot/ankle, but at the same time, he can provide ample exercise to his leg muscles. And right after that, Yao Ming will be allowed to walk and jog under the water in the swimming pool. But then of course, in this type of rehabilitation training, he will need to start applying force to his injured foot/ankle.

Attachment:

The Dialogue Between Chen Min of the Shanghai Morning Post with Yao Ming

Chen Min: Congratulation that the surgery was a successful one. Where are you now?

Yao Ming: At the hospital

Chen Min: So does it hurt that much that you cannot rest/sleep now?

Yao Ming: It’s okay. It is not that much pain and hurting.

Chen Min: How did the surgery go?

Yao Ming: It took about 3 hours, and was very smooth. If there is anything worthwhile as a headline, then it must be that I have 3 stainless steel nails implanted into my body.

Chen Min: 3?

Yao Ming: They originally said 2; but they found out that my bones are too big. They have to add 1 more.

Chen Min: How big were those stainless steel nails?

Yao Ming: Well all those stainless steel nails for every patient are custom made, and none of them are the same. Also I was resting and fast asleep (under Anaesthesia ), I was not able to see them. But actually, they are all buried inside the bones and they will not rub against the muscles or skin.

Chen Min: So did you know beforehand they have to add 1 more stainless steel nail?

Yao Ming: I only scan through the materials (about the surgery) scantily beforehand, and not too clear about the details. Anyway, 2 or 3 nails do not make much difference.

Chen Min: I am very curious; since this is all about a bone fracture, why do they have to use 3 nails? Does it mean the crack/fracture is very big?

Yao Ming: Basically the two bones already started to split and part. According to the doctors, cross sectional wise, if 2 bones completely split and part from each other is considered 100%, then right now I’m only 5%. Therefore one of the reasons for adding an additional stainless steel nail is also for strengthening the bones and preventing them from further fractures.

Chen Min: So now that the surgery is considered successful, everybody will start to be concerned about your post-surgery recuperation and rehabilitation. We heard that you will need a long period for convalescing. How long will that be?

Yao Ming: 6 weeks.

Chen Min: During this 6 weeks, what can you do? What can you not do?

Yao Ming: I cannot do anything (any exercise or practice) with my foot. But that does not affect other parts of my body.
Click to expand...

#1 pryuen, Mar 6, 2008
Last edited: Mar 6, 2008

tracymingreedy Member

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Wow, Puryne, how long it take to translate the article?

#2 tracymingreedy, Mar 6, 2008
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hi, Pryuen
What is your first language?
Chinese or English?

#3 Yaoterminator, Mar 6, 2008
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Yaoterminator said:

hi, Pryuen
What is your first language?
Chinese or English?
Click to expand...

Chinese of course.

#4 pirc1, Mar 6, 2008
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dude you are the man you do so many little things for this community it's unreal. you've got some sick determination bro, I only wish the Rockets organization took notice and hooked you up with some benefits lol.

#5 Painting_Shade, Mar 6, 2008
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Thanks, pryuen! We really appreciate everything you do here. It's nice to hear that Yao is in good spirits despite everything. He really is an inspiration.

#6 mic, Mar 6, 2008
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While the current surgery was aimed to repair the fractured tarsal navicular bone of his left foot, it was discovered that there were also quite a lot of hairline cracks around his ankle bone. So will the current surgery be helpful to prevent the proliferation of such hairline cracks? “Actually, that was exactly why they have to implant 3 stainless steel nails to strengthen the bone and prevent the hairline cracks to aggravate.” Yao Ming further explained.

Uh, did this freak anybody else out?

#7 Hippieloser, Mar 6, 2008

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Thanks Again Pryuen. Very Good Info.

I got all excited when I read that he was anticipative on returning to the Houston Rockets and then I read even if he can only sit on the bench and cheer.

#8 Old Man Rock, Mar 6, 2008
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thanks pryuen. just one correction. it's not 'god'. 'heaven' is quite different from 'god'.

#9 yuantian, Mar 6, 2008
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yuantian said:

thanks pryuen. just one correction. it's not 'god'. 'heaven' is quite different from 'god'.
Click to expand...

Close enough.

#10 pirc1, Mar 6, 2008
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yuantian said:

thanks pryuen. just one correction. it's not 'god'. 'heaven' is quite different from 'god'.
Click to expand...

Yeap you're correct.

#11 zhaozhilong, Mar 6, 2008
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yuantian said:

thanks pryuen. just one correction. it's not 'god'. 'heaven' is quite different from 'god'.
Click to expand...

Actually it should be "god"... Heaven is way off from the original Chinese version.

#12 roxfan123, Mar 6, 2008
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roxfan123 said:

Actually it should be "god"... Heaven is way off from the original Chinese version.
Click to expand...

if we follow the original Chinese version,it should be "Buddha"

#13 cyjtsj, Mar 6, 2008

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Hippieloser said:

While the current surgery was aimed to repair the fractured tarsal navicular bone of his left foot, it was discovered that there were also quite a lot of hairline cracks around his ankle bone. So will the current surgery be helpful to prevent the proliferation of such hairline cracks? “Actually, that was exactly why they have to implant 3 stainless steel nails to strengthen the bone and prevent the hairline cracks to aggravate.” Yao Ming further explained.

Uh, did this freak anybody else out?
Click to expand...

Yup, freaked me out.

#14 poprocks, Mar 6, 2008
pryuen Member

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tracymingreedy said:

Wow, Puryne, how long it take to translate the article?
Click to expand...

It took me 4 hours of work.........

and seeing this thread drowned in tons of other posts and threads within 12 hours just made me mad....

#15 pryuen, Mar 6, 2008
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cyjtsj said:

if we follow the original Chinese version,it should be "Buddha"
Click to expand...

buddha is not really chinese. heaven is referring to native chinese cosmology.

#16 yuantian, Mar 6, 2008
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roxfan123 said:

Actually it should be "god"... Heaven is way off from the original Chinese version.
Click to expand...

hm... no. the concept of heaven is way different from the western god. if you mean in terms of role or importance in society, it could be equivalent in that regard. however, heaven != god

#17 yuantian, Mar 6, 2008
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Good job, Pryuen, your translation is very faithful, concise and elegant.

pryuen said:

It took me 4 hours of work.........

and seeing this thread drowned in tons of other posts and threads within 12 hours just made me mad....
Click to expand...

#18 kalmanfilter, Mar 6, 2008

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Thanks for the translation!

#19 exiaol, Mar 6, 2008
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pryuen said:

It took me 4 hours of work.........

and seeing this thread drowned in tons of other posts and threads within 12 hours just made me mad....
Click to expand...

well its back on top now.. and thats how i saw it

#20 SunsRocketsfan, Mar 6, 2008

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