BOSTON -- Chris Wilcox was grilling during an off day in March when he received a phone call.
One of the Boston Celtics medical staff was on the line asking if he wanted to come in for a check up.
Figuring he would get his bi-annual physical out of the way, he drove in for what he thought would be a routine visit.
I just went and that was it for me, Wilcox recalled to CSNNE.com outside the Celtics locker room on Thursday following their win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tests revealed an enlarged aorta that would require season-ending surgery. After just 28 games (5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds), the 29-year-old power forwards first stint with the Celtics was over.
Wilcox underwent the procedure on March 29 at the Cleveland Clinic, the same location where teammate Jeff Green also had season-ending heart surgery in January.
I remember going in at 6:00 in the morning, he said. That was it.
With hardly any memories from the operation, Wilcox is looking ahead to his future.
His physical activity has been limited to walking and occasionally riding an exercise bike. Wilcox expects to be cleared for more activity in two weeks -- though he proudly notes he is ahead of schedule -- and can begin training three months after the surgery.
For now, he literally has to take a backseat to the recovery process. Wilcox is not allowed to drive yet.
Im just trying to get back, said Wilcox, who has lost 20 pounds since the surgery. I havent been doing too much, rehabbing for the last two weeks, trying to get to back to where I can run. Right now theyve just got me riding the bike, walking, and stuff like that.They told me Im ahead of schedule so Ive been trying to walk and do stuff like that to get my wind back up.
The Celtics waived Wilcox in March, clearing a roster space to add big man Ryan Hollins. Even though he is no longer officially on the team, Wilcox flew from his home in North Carolina to attend the Celtics regular season finale against the Milwaukee Bucks. He plans to join the team during the playoffs in Atlanta against the Hawks, and hopes to be with them again next season.
I want to finish what Ive started here, he said. I thought this was a great opportunity for me and things were working out well, and I went to the doctor to get a check up and things just changed.