Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas, Zach Duncan column
By Zach Duncan, Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
But when it comes to the
While his condition hasn't reached a crisis stage yet, neither is it improving. A month ago, his
"It's a lot to have to ask something like that. There are so many people sicker than me, it's hard to justify," Mayes said from his classroom Friday. "If they hadn't spooked us, we wouldn't have said anything."
Mayes' health problems date back more than a decade when he was receiving a steroid to treat stomach problems that ended up damaging his liver. It wasn't until a few years later that cirrhosis of the liver was diagnosed.
One of the scariest times occurred in the summer of 2010 when his health spiked downward and he said his eyes became a much deeper yellow than they already were. Another frightening incident occurred last month at a junior high track meet in
Mayes passed out and didn't wake up until he was in a Nocona emergency room. He was taken by helicopter to Dallas and spent 12 days in the hospital, including three in intensive care.
"It's not going to beat him. He fights back and does whatever he needs to do," said
Lisa and Darren met while working together at Target while at
"He'd stay up at the school as late as the kids wanted to play," Lisa said. "He always made sports fun and the kids enjoyed it. He'll help anybody who needs help. It's hard for him now to ask for help."
Before Mayes was sick, he was regarded as one of the area's best girls basketball coaches, winning 268 games at four different stops. He was the Lady Bearcats' leader for six years before stepping down after the 2007-08 season because of his health.
For the past five seasons, he has been coaching the junior high girls B team. The game of basketball is more about fundamentals at this level and the gym's atmosphere isn't as intense as on Tuesday and Friday nights.
It's not the same rush -- it can't be. But Mayes gets genuinely excited when discussing a recent victory over another town's A team.
Mayes, who played high school basketball at Burkburnett under
Perhaps he can achieve his milestone if he receives a liver through Baylor's live-donor program. The
"It's more than a possibility, but I can't even think about doing that," Darren said of becoming a head varsity coach once again.
No, his first focus must be on finding the strength and mental fortitude to endure each day and be a great father to his three kids.
Some days his stamina isn't there and fatigue closes in quicker than a full-court press. While Darren was always a skinny 6-foot-3, his spindly frame is evidence of the toll the cirrhosis has taken.
"Some days are better than others," Mayes said. "That's what you signed up for. I'm not going to give it up until I have to."
Mayes has positively impacted hundreds of players' lives since he began coaching at Crowell in 1988. Everyone at Henrietta has bent over backward these past few years, but there's the next step to be taken.
"What has overwhelmed me so much is the outpouring of support and love from the community," Darren said. "The administration has been great. They just as easily could have gotten rid of me."
It's killing
HELPING
For anyone interested in more information about helping
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