THROAT PROBLEMS HURT BUTLER AGAIN.Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writer After waking in the team hotel Wednesday morning with a swollen Adam's apple Adam's apple: see larynx. , Brett Butler Brett Butler can refer to different people:
Butler, who had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his tonsils tonsils, name commonly referring to the palatine tonsils, two ovoid masses of lymphoid tissue situated on either side of the throat at the back of the tongue. 15 months ago, was diagnosed with an infection between the soft tissue and scar tissue scar tissue n. Dense, fibrous connective tissue that forms over a healed wound or cut. in his neck. He will not know for a few days whether or not the cancer that interrupted and almost ended his baseball career has returned. His physician, Dr. Robert Gadlage, does not think so but did not rule it out. ``You think the worst,'' Butler said by phone from his home in Atlanta. ``I was on the plane (to Atlanta) going back and forth. Your mind plays games with you. I went from one extreme to the other. When I got here, my doctor said, `I don't believe it's cancer.' '' Butler will stay in Atlanta and be seen by Gadlage again Friday morning. If his throat has not improved significantly, he will immediately see his oncologist, Dr. William Grist, who performed the May 21, 1996, surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes Lymph nodes Small, bean-shaped masses of tissue scattered along the lymphatic system that act as filters and immune monitors, removing fluids, bacteria, or cancer cells that travel through the lymph system. . If Gadlage clears him, Butler said, he will be back in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. in time for Friday's game against the Oakland A's. Gadlage told Butler the tissue in his neck that has received radiation treatment is prone to infection. Butler received a scare early in the season when his neck hurt for about a week. Before the Dodgers' April 7 game against the Mets at Dodger Stadium • • [ , Butler saw an ear, nose and throat specialist ear, nose and throat specialist n → oto-rhino-laryngologiste m/f ear, nose and throat specialist n → Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt m, . He showed up at the stadium in the fourth inning, entered a tied game in the ninth and scored the winning run in the 15th inning. There have been many trials for Butler this season, including a 24-day stay on the disabled list after tearing cartilage in his left (throwing) shoulder. He plans on having surgery around the first of the year to repair the still-torn cartilage that has weakened his arm. Primarily because of the diminished arm strength, he was moved from center field to left field in July. Still managing to bat .293, with an on-base percentage of .375, Butler has shown wear and tear. Two wrist injuries and the body aches a 40-year-old playing major-league baseball experiences have caused him to miss numerous games. He started five games on the 10-game road trip the Dodgers completed Wednesday. Knowing the answer, Butler asked happily over the phone about the Dodgers' game against the Pirates. ``So we kicked 'em, huh?'' he said. He wanted details. He had not heard the Dodgers had traded for White Sox outfielder Darren Lewis to replace the injured Roger Cedeno, an acquisition that will likely cut into Butler's playing time. ``I'll just stay here and see what happens Friday,'' said Butler, whose neck was still swollen. CAPTION(S): Photo |
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