Close Call with TB a "Scary" Experience for Guillen

When Seattle Mariners shortstop Carlos Guillen was diagnosed with TB, staying alive -- not returning to baseball -- was his top priority. After struggling since July with a persistent cough, nosebleeds and weakness, Guillen learned on Sept. 7 that he had pulmonary TB. "I called my Mom and asked her, 'What's tuberculosis?'" Guillen said. Then he got scared.

"I had surgery that Monday (Sept. 10). That's scary, too. I almost died. The doctors say that out of 10 people, seven die without that surgery." In the procedure, doctors placed an artificial clot in his lung to stop his bleeding and stabilize his condition.

Now Guillen is back into a routine with the team. He practiced with his teammates on Thursday and would like to rejoin the active roster if the Mariners advance to the second round of playoffs. Though Manager Lou Piniella last week called that "a remote, remote possibility," Guillen holds out hope. "I'm a little weak. I got a little tired out there today. But I'd still like to play in the playoffs. That is my goal," he said.

Guillen, who is from Maracay, Venezuela, said his health began to decline in July. "I had a fever. I couldn't sleep through the night. Tough nights. Sometimes I thought I didn't want to play [until the next day] because I was so tired. But when I got to the ballpark, I changed my mind because I wanted to play every day." The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Guillen lost 10 pounds during his TB treatment but has regained seven pounds.

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