ɪn noʊvˈɛmbɚ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti sˈɛvən, slˈɑːkəm dɪvˈɛləpt ˈʌlsɚɹətˌɪv kəlˈaɪɾɪs wˌɪtʃ kˈɔːzd hɪz wˈeɪt tə dɹˈɑːp fɹʌm wˈʌnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti pˈaʊndz tə wˈʌnhˈʌndɹɪd twˈɛnti tˈuː pˈaʊndz, ænd lˈɛft hˌɪm ʌnˈeɪbəl tə plˈeɪ fɚɹə jˈɪɹ ænd ɐ hˈæf.
In November 1997, Slocum developed ulcerative colitis which caused his weight to drop from 150 pounds to 122 pounds, and left him unable to play for a year and a half.