Surgery Rounds Allbright

Red Bulls to use all reserves in Tuesday's US Open Cup game

The Red Bulls play a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal tomorrow in Chicago, just three wins away from their first-ever major trophy. But if they’re to get past the four-time champion Fire, they’ll have to do it with an entirely-reserve lineup, Mehdi Ballouchy the only seasoned regular in the Starting XI.

After looking slow and exhausted in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to rival D.C. United, and bracing for a cross-country trek to L.A. for next Saturday’s MLS tilt at Chivas USA, coach Hans Backe will spare his regulars. Right back Chris Albright will make his return after hernia surgery, but even Juan Agudelo will be held out in the likelihood injured Luke Rodgers can’t go against Chivas USA.

“Mehdi is the only one. He’ll travel with the team,’’ Backe said. “We could’ve played Agudelo, but with Luke’s heel you don’t really know.’’

Ballouchy will be the lone veteran presence in the attack, and will start up front alongside rookie first-round pick Corey Hertzog. Albright will try to provide vocal leadership from the back, albeit from out wide.

“I feel pretty good, get some run tomorrow. (I feel) significantly better,’’ said Albright, who last tested himself in the May 11 friendly loss in Montreal. He came out of that needing hernia surgery, but now says his hernia, knees and other body parts are fine, and he’s looking forward to getting back out on the field in earnest.

“That was a rest to see where my sports hernia was, and it was a failing grade. But I feel better going into this. This is a game we want to win, first and foremost, but it’s for me to get some fitness as well and I feel much better than I did before the surgery…getting back in the team, getting fit and getting a win in Chicago.’’

The 32-year-old Albright has won three MLS Cups and a U.S. Open Cup with the Galaxy team that won the double in 2005. And despite the fixture congestion that has Backe using a young, inexperienced lineup tomorrow _ seven games in three weeks _ he understands the importance of the opportunity the Red Bulls have.

“How many championships do we have at Red Bull?” Albright asked rhetorically. “So, yeah, obviously any time you get close to a championship, we want to win. And for a lot of the guys who’re playing tomorrow, it’s a chance to prove themselves, and get some time in a real game and a real environment. We’re certainly taking it as seriously as we can.

Night Before Surgery: Round 3

On October 16, 2008, our then 7 year old son was diagnosed with Parry Romberg Syndrome: an extremely rare, progressive, "incurable" auto-immune disease that causes facial atrophy...meaning it causes half the face to "waste" away. Some cases include seizures, strokes or other neurological problems. This is the story of our family, and specifically our son, Hank, as we struggle with diagnosis, search for a cause and a cure and go to the ends of the earth for treatment. It's the night before Hank's surgery and everyone is asleep. I thought I would sit down and quickly give an update. But as I reflect on the day, the knowledge of what lies ahead for us in the morning is overwhelming. As usual, I go into these surgeries very level-headed and positive. But if given a moment to dwell on it...my heart is heavy for Hank and all that he has endured and will endure tomorrow and as he recovers. He is so sweet and fearless...and how I wish he did not have to go into another operating room. This surgery is a little more involved than I had thought...and I know the end result will be great...but the anxiety and apprehension I feel...well, I am just glad they are asleep and can't see it. Tomorrow I will be stoic and brave...just like Hank. But tonight, I don't feel that way. Our time in Delaware with Jeff's Grandma Dot went by much too fast. But we had a nice visit with her and got to see a lot of the family. On Saturday morning her Pastor, Johnny Woods, came over to pray over Hank. Pastor Woods is a big man and when he laid his hands on either side of Hank's head, we couldn't see Hank anymore! He started praying and it was truly beautiful. As he prayed for healing, I found myself crying...Grandma Dot was too! I don't know why...except that I was so grateful that this man would take time out of his busy life to come over and pray for a boy he doesn't even know. After he was done, he asked for a pen. The next thing I knew he was handing Hank his Bible. And not just any Bible but the actual Bible he uses to preach with. The one with passages underlined and highlighted. In it he had written an inscription to Hank, along with his phone numbers. He told Hank he wanted him to read it, and "You can call me anytime". What a gift! One Hank will always have. The next morning was Sunday...departure day. We had a nice breakfast out with Grandma Dot and then found a church for Mass. We had a little trouble finding the right entrance doors, as every door we tried was locked.

Operative techniques in pediatric neurosurgery

Journal of orificial surgery

International abstracts of surgery

Principles and practice of pediatric neurosurgery

Journal of the Medical Society of New Jersey