THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Happy to be one year into 'Life No. 2'

It’s been too long since we’ve done a “Notes and Quotes” column, and this seems like a fine time for a chat.

Why?

Well, it’s an anniversary for me, and one I’m not likely to forget.

One year ago today, I was discharged from Wing 2 East at Kootenai Health — sent home to begin a second life.

I even have a new birthday, Sept. 5, the date on which the odds suggested I was going to die.

So, on “Life No. 2,” I’m now a few days past one year old.

Here’s the short version of that near-miss …

A bleeding ulcer, hidden on a stomach tumor that doctors knew about and were planning to remove the following January, simply exploded without warning.

Needless to say, I remember almost nothing about the ambulance ride, the sudden preparation, and then emergency surgery.

My partner, Melissa, was warned to brace for the fact I might not survive.

Once the surgery was over, doctors told her that I almost bled out three times, and by the end of an amazing operation, I’d received 44 units of blood.

The surgery team, led by Dr. Antoine Sarkis, took out the tumor, the ulcer and a third of my stomach.

I’M SHARING this story today for a couple of reasons … First, because I’ve truly needed an opportunity to say a mighty thank you to Dr. Sarkis (even though he’s a Liverpool fan) and his relentless physician’s assistant, Mikal Burley — along with the poor gentleman most often around to babysit me at Kootenai, Dr. Jason Schwintek.

Finally, at this time when hospitals in general — and Kootenai in particular — are struggling to find nurses, I want to share a hug and a deep bond of love with the nurses and staff who took such precious care of me.

They raced down hallways and worked brutal shifts because there were 120 or so COVID-19 patients on the third floor, which had been turned into an isolation ward.

They were terribly shorthanded, but always there to do the job.

I will remember them all forever.

Last thing …

That bout with the Grim Reaper makes me enjoy writing about sports even more, while at the same time putting all our fun and games in perspective.

That’s a good thing for everyone to recall once in a while — although I recommend thinking about it without the life-saving surgery.

Shall we get on with a couple of notes?

ITEM: The Seahawks are not done talking about that 17-16 victory over Denver (predictably), and especially how they exploited one of Russell Wilson’s weaknesses.

Apparently, all those years of watching Russ play in Seattle taught Pete Carroll that the QB was most vulnerable when forced to roll out to his left.

So, the Hawks’ three-man defensive line tried to push things in that direction, while linebacker Uchenna Nwosu first showed blitz, but instead, he followed along with Wilson as a “spy.”

“It was part of the game plan, you know,” Nwosu said. “Russell’s electric, a dynamic quarterback, especially when he’s rolling to his right. So going to the game plan, we had to limit him in that circumstance.”

Denver coach Nathanial Hackett insisted that the Seahawks were talking nonsense, and that Wilson is equally dangerous going in any direction.

However, the numbers favor Carroll’s theory.

According to Next Gen Stats …

Since 2021, whenever Wilson has broken the tackle box to his left, he’s 12 of 29 for 177 yards, two interceptions, no touchdowns and nine sacks.

No wonder they traded him (kidding).

ITEM: We were barely getting used to the idea that Serena Williams, the undisputed GOAT in women’s tennis, was retiring to lead a normal life.

And all of a sudden …

Here comes the announcement that 41-year-old Roger Federer has decided to step away from competitive tennis.

In Federer’s case, it’s a little more crowded in the battle to name the greatest men’s player of all time, but Roger is right there in the discussion.

The Swiss superstar is third in major victories with 20, but he still holds the longest streak of consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the ATP tour at 237.

He also holds the Open-era records for most matches played and most match wins at Grand Slams.

Federer has been more than statistics, though.

His game was always built more on technique and artistry than sheer power.

One phrase often used to describe him …

“Roger is using brushes and canvas, while everyone else is playing paintball.”

Federer has struggled with nagging injuries and even surgeries over the past three years, so his statement that his body had given him a pretty clear message wasn’t really a shock.

Still …

Elite tennis without Roger Federer just isn’t quite the same.

ITEM: For all those who’ve emailed to ask about tiebreakers and such in the American League wild-card race …

It’s pretty simple.

There will be no extra games played beyond the regular season schedule.

Every position has a tiebreaker procedure.

In the case of the Mariners — and the teams right around them in the wild-card race — seedings will be settled by head-to-head records.

That’s particularly good news if you’re rooting for Seattle to reach the postseason, and don’t particularly care about where the M’s are seeded.

At the moment, the Mariners are in — and the only team with a realistic chance of catching them is Baltimore (five games back with just 20 to play).

Oh, and it’s not just five games.

The lead is more like 5 1/2, since Seattle won four of six from the Orioles this year.

As for the other teams in the wild-card hunt, the Mariners also own a tiebreaker over Toronto — but not Tampa Bay.

It’s looking good, but two decades of frustration mean that Mariners fans will believe the playoffs are clinched when it’s a mathematical certainty.

Not an hour early.

Nope.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week. He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published weekly during the season, beginning in October.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”