Doctor says Yow not ready to return

North Carolina State University

Doctor says Yow not ready to return

By Ken Medlin

Jan 6, 2009

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N.C. State is scheduled to make an announcement on Kay Yow’s future, perhaps as soon as Tuesday, and the doctor for the Wolfpack women’s basketball coach says her current energy level does not meet her standard for a return to coaching.

Yow is battling stage four breast cancer, which has spread to her liver and spine, and has missed her team's last four games.

"It's somewhat analagous to a golfer walking the course," said Dr. Mark Graham, Yow's oncologist. "She considers it part of the job to do all of the activities (involved with coaching)."

Over the course of a game, Yow may walk the equivalent of 1½ miles, Graham said. That, in combination with the energy-sapping effects of cancer treatment, is too much for her right now, he said.

Graham does not rule out a return to coaching for Yow, but cautioned: "It depends on whether she continues to improve."

NCSU spokesman Mark Kimmel said Monday that the school will make an announcement about Yow that will strictly be about this season, and not beyond. She is under contract through the 2011-2012 season.

Graham said Yow, the Pack's longtime women's basketball coach, is fighting the same combination of factors in her cancer battle that kept her off the bench for 16 games in the 2006-07 season.

Graham says Yow is dealing with three issues:

the extent of her disease, which is advanced
the demands of her treatment
the physical demands of being an NCAA Division I head coach.

The combination of the three is preventing Yow from coaching in much the same way as it did in 2006-07. Yow returned to the bench to lead her team to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

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RE: Doctor says Yow not ready to return

WE LOVE YOU COACH YOW!!!

All we care about is your welfare! No matter how many more games you think you can coach, or how long you want to coach, all that will matter to us is how you are doing. I wish nothing but the best of health, no matter what you are doing, coaching or not coaching!!!

RE: Doctor says Yow not ready to return

As a Life Long Wolfpack Fan, Kay Yow is one person who truly stands for what is right for NC STATE, NCAA, and Life in General, God Bless Her and her family and get better Kay, we miss you !
nunnboys.com Hoke County NC

RE: Doctor says Yow not ready to return

This is terrible news and I am deeply saddened. As someone who has had family members suffer and die from both cancer and liver disease, and while not meaning to sound negative, this is very disheartening and deeply troubling news to find that the cancer has spread to the liver and spine. Of course, I too believe Coach Yow will continue to fight and never ever give up...thoughts and prayers are with Coach Yow and her family.

RE: Doctor says Yow not ready to return

Dear Coach Yow,I am going through stage 4 cancer and treatments myself,I know how weak chemo can make you.God bless you.Isaiah 53;5 (By his wounds we are healed)Keep up the faith!

Scientists not Jocks

Just imagine how much more advanced our society would be if we valued & supported scientists as much (or more!) as sports teams. What's the salary of a top scientist compared to the multi-million $ contracts of people who play with rubberballs. ...all those cancer-curing, drug-creating, environment-cleaning brainiacs...working so very hard in school to defend their dissertations and obtain phd's... these are society's true heroes and should be the ones that we strive to emulate.

And for all of the praying people here...does your god really work that way? Do ya think s/he's gonna care about sports when 30,000 kids starve to death EVERY DAY on this planet?

Can we all just reevaluate our priorities and thought processes a little? Please.

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