ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: DR on August 20, 2009, 07:23:04 pm
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Does anyone golf post-surgery or GK/CK? Just curious to see how much this will effect all aspects of my life, even the hobbies.
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I know we have bikers (motorcycles and bicycles), runners - including marathoners, kayakers, and standup paddle boarders so I'm betting we have golfers here too.
Jan
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I had a translab (& some other things too) and i played in a league until the day my daughter was born - haven't played since, but hope to take it up again soon since the girlies are older! I did wear a patch b/c I have no depth perception anymore - oh yeah, i don't count whiffs, roughs and I the only tourneys I play now are "Best Ball"!!
K
PS - don't jump in sand traps if you have balance issues!!
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Hi DR .... thanks for posting your question.
Yep .... golfer here. I'm 60 and have been golfing for quite a few yrs, since realizing from Dad how great a game it is. I have two of his caddy pins from when he was in Jr and Sr high in the 30's in Baltimore .... attached to my golf bag.
I had my AN removed in November '04, and of course, balance issues curtailed outings for a couple months. I did plan to attend my annual week-long golf trip to South Carolina the following February (3 months later), but didn't because of an illness unrelated to my surgery. Since then, I've been playing as often as possible .... but not as much as I'd like to. Matter of fact, I just broke 90 for the first time last week.
Back to your question and concern, DR. Keeping in mind that everyone could experience different issues, AN surgery should not negatively affect your golf game, after your balance returns to some normalcy. But of course it'll take several months (at a minimum) for that to happen.
I wish you well in your decision-making, and if you do decide on surgery, I hope Mother Nature gives you mild Michigan winters so you can play often! Swing your clubs often .... it'll help.
Keep swinging and keep ;D -ing !!!!!!
Greg
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Hi,
I had translab surgery for my AN. I have been golfing several times since my surgery. I don't notice any problems with balance as I golf. I was not that good before surgery and I'm still just as mediocre. I do carry my clubs so it does give me a bit of a workout at least.
Jean
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Thanks for the quick replies! While driving home last night after playing in my golf league the question popped into my head.
- Dennis
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Did someone say golf? DR -- I had surgery in Dec 07 -- and have had balance issues since -- I'm still in vestibular training. I just assumed that returning to golf was not in the cards. Then last Spring, my 26 yo daughter decided to take up the game and talked me into joining her. I was rusty, had some how regained some bad habits -- but balance was not as issue. The only time balance was a problem was stepping off a golf cart after it had been moving. My suggestion -- as soon as you're physically up to it post surgery -- head to a driving range. I made the mistake of waiting a year and a half.
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i can bowl after a bit , seems the an side isn't doing to bad there. riding a bike is out as is a harley. i lean towards my good side too much.\
with a golf ball, your swing will probably be off sliced from normal. so some positioning of the feet towards your an side will be necessary. hitting it hard no problem. putting, maybe a bigger deal
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riding a bike is out as is a harley. i lean towards my good side too much.
Don't give up. I had this same issue initially - not on a harley, but on a bicycle. The first time I got on my bike post op I promptly ran into some bushes :P My son was highly amused, I was not ::)
It took me an entire year to try again, but when I did I found my balance to be much better. I was wobbly at first, but soon got the hang of it and can now ride a bike as well as I did pre op.
Jan
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Golf is very much the way I got my health back
- post 4-5 surgeries, minus one balance nerve and about 50 lbs ?
Anyhow - golf involves balance, movement, and (the way I play) stamina too
Yes fatigue and balance maybe issues early on - but it gets better
I had to play a short swing/choke down game for 24 mths post op
My best pre-op score (9 hole) at 4marks was 54 - the average was 56-7
I hit a 42 a week or so back, now averaging 46-7
My Neuro psycologist assures me this is "impossible"
Strange - my friends all say I am "impossible" too...
I am now working on a "full swing" - I now have a 150yds 6 iron range
I have found the more you do
- the more it impacts on general health, stamina and balance too
(Oh and I taught the nurses to play indoor in the rehab unit)
So go to it ?
Best Regards
Tony
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Does the Wii golf game count? I didn't take it up until after my retrosig surgery.
Syl
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Well now I'm starting to feel much better! (And yes, we will count Wii golf.) I'm not a golf-addict but it is a fun hobby that gets me outside during the brief Michigan Spring/Summer/Fall that lasts approx 11 days. I guess I will keep my spot on the golf league. 8)
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DR ~
I held off posting on this thread because I know most golfers have a somewhat derisive attitude toward miniature golf, which is basically just putting a non-regulation ball on a flat surface with no swinging or chipping. I've never played 'real' golf because I view the game as too expensive (for me) and at this point in my life, too much time/work is needed to play even adequately - and I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. However, I found playing miniature golf to be both fun and, in a way, good balance 'therapy'. I began playing in 2004 and was back at it within a month of my AN surgery (6/06). Until recently, my son (age 29), my wife and myself played miniature golf on a regular basis, usually as a threesome, partly for the physical activity in the fresh air and, for me, the benefits of the walking, as the courses we played were usually quite large and spread out. My son is an excellent player, I'm a passable putter and my wife looks cute in her 'golf hat'. My son and I even played in some mini-golf tournaments and did well, although we never won. Unfortunately, my son's interest waned as his job responsibilities increased and my time has been somewhat limited lately so we've pretty much abandoned the game this year. I miss it but, like most physical activities, if you lay off for a year, it's hard to come back and shooting a horrible round of miniature golf isn't much fun, so I may not return to the game anytime soon. However, it served it's purpose; it gave us more family time and helped me improve my balance capabilities. O.K., it's not 'real' golf, but I thought I would venture to mention miniature golf as a relatively low-cost, easy-to-play game that doesn't require a big investment (although I bought a new mini-golf putter some years back), gets you outside, doesn't require strenuous exercise (for those adverse to taxing physical activity, as I am) but does help you walk a lot and focus. Not for everyone of course but neither is 'real' golf (as my family calls it). Just a suggestion. :)
Jim
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Does anyone golf post-surgery or GK/CK? Just curious to see how much this will effect all aspects of my life, even the hobbies.
Four:-) Honestly, I just took a few lessons last summer and have played just a few games. Balance is not my issue...Getting the ball on the green is my problem. I love being outdoors on the green and find the course peaceful.
Have you golfed since this post?
Kate
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I play tennis and a little basketball. There are some balance issues, but I can fight through them and play almost as well as before. I would think those sports are tougher to bounce back to than golf. So my guess is that you will easily be able to play golf eventually.
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Hey DR,
Thanks for the post, I too am an avid golfer sitting on a 12 H/C at the moment, and was wondering the same thing.
Didn't want to have to sell the new clubs I brought earlier this year :(, so will now have to look into building the golf swing into the post op rehab. ;)
Cheers
Don
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well i haven't golfed in a long time. my balance is the issue. more tired i get worse i lean away from the AN side.
but all in all it hasn't been bad. Bowling was a challenge and i used to be pretty good, but the few times I've done it, after a while i can get into a groove just like old days.
walking, tired i lean left away from AN side. dont think i'd try riding a bike. but thats just me...........
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I golf, ride my horse, swim...do all my activities before. My vision and balance are affected a bit by the AN but since I took up golf AFTER I had surgery I can't tell the difference! ;D
My riding is a bit BETTER actually.
It is possible to remain normally active after treatment and recovery.
Good luck!
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Hi DR,
Now that you're post op and recovering I hope you can get to a driving range soon... and onto golf, although I guess the weather won't be so great by the time you feel up to it.
I resumed running very slowly a few weeks post op. Balance wise - (and i'm almost a yr post) sometimes i veer left while running.
I used to play golf occassionally with my husband. I remember playing when I was 9 months pregnant (trying to facilitate the beginning of labor, I think). My last time playing, I was in south Texas. I looked at the course and thought, 'gee, this shouldn't be too bad - no woods, no water, no sand traps.' what the course had was grass that was about 1 1/2 tall (in the 'rough'). I kept hitting into it and i've never lost so many balls! they were impossible to find. Finally i threw my club and said, 'why am i spending so much money to do something that makes me so miserable!?" and, that was the end of my golfing hobby!
I hope and trust that it will go much better for you!
Keri
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I play golf, pool, table tennis, darts, poker (OK poker is not that good for excerise, but it excerises the brain), and now getting back into tennis. Golf was about the same as before for me, but I noticed I got tired after the turn about the 12 hole and my game went down hill pretty fast. Pool (billiiards) the break sounds I like a stick of TNT going off and makes my AN side buzz really loud, so I shove my ear plug in my good ear to reduce the ringing. Other than I seen to get mentally tired after couple of hours my game is still above average. Table tennis for me can be a problem due to quick movements of the head due to dizziness. Darts no problems except I think only having one ear does affect my throw due to the constant corrections standing up. Tennis has been the hardest for me so far. I use to play at just below college level and find that the running side to side and quick movement does induce dizziness. Again from quick head movements, Balance does affect my eye to ball to racket contact, seem to miss hit more. But the good part is I am improving each time I go out and it seems to help my headaches and of course stamina and fitness ( I've lost 10 lbs. since I started playing again once or twice a week)
I think most of us can over come anything we set or mines to if we want it bad enough. I really enjoy playing tennis one of the few things I can't get enough of even if I may never reach the level I once was, but it's all about being able to play and have fun again.
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I play golf, pool, table tennis, darts, poker (OK poker is not that good for excerise, but it excerises the brain), and now getting back into tennis. Golf was about the same as before for me, but I noticed I got tired after the turn about the 12 hole and my game went down hill pretty fast. Pool (billiiards) the break sounds I like a stick of TNT going off and makes my AN side buzz really loud, so I shove my ear plug in my good ear to reduce the ringing. Other than I seen to get mentally tired after couple of hours my game is still above average. Table tennis for me can be a problem due to quick movements of the head due to dizziness. Darts no problems except I think only having one ear does affect my throw due to the constant corrections standing up. Tennis has been the hardest for me so far. I use to play at just below college level and find that the running side to side and quick movement does induce dizziness. Again from quick head movements, Balance does affect my eye to ball to racket contact, seem to miss hit more. But the good part is I am improving each time I go out and it seems to help my headaches and of course stamina and fitness ( I've lost 10 lbs. since I started playing again once or twice a week)
I think most of us can over come anything we set or mines to if we want it bad enough. I really enjoy playing tennis one of the few things I can't get enough of even if I may never reach the level I once was, but it's all about being able to play and have fun again.
You experience with tennis, poker and pool sounds a lot like mine.
I used to be a very strong pool player. I stopped for a few years before surgery so my game had slipped a bit anyway. I've been trying to play again in the last few months. I find that the high level of concentration tends to wear me down rather quickly and then my balance goes. That makes even walking around the table unpleasurable enough to take the fun out of the game for me. However, I have had a few sessions where I was able to come close enough to duplicating my top form that I think I could actually do it if I dedicated myself to the game again. I'm hoping that with more time my stamina will improve enough to compete a little again. I think there may be a side benefit to the surgery. Playing pool competitively is tough at times. We all "choke" from time to time on an important shot. I think after all I've been through missing a "9 ball" for the game is going to seem like such a non-event choking will be pretty much a thing of the past. ;D
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Well, here's a chime in from a kayaker. sailor, runner, horse back rider , lap swimmer, and bicycler, so take this for what it's worth...
Go for it and see, and keep on going for it, even if it feels "funny" or "not the same" at first.
I am pre-treatment, so I have no idea what life is going to be like after, but i intend to try every sport activity i've been doing pre-treatment, as soon as possible after my treatment.
And, I intend to take up golf as well since I think that it might be great for working on balance, concentration, etc. And yes, i intend to keep on playing mini-golf as well, because i love the fun, and the concentration.
Basically, I think that anything that helps our body learn new ways of doing things is good for us. And that includes all the goofs, falls, embarassments, awkward moves, etc. that might come our way due to adjustments due to our post op condition.
I just do NOT intend to let my post-op keep me down, even if that means being propped up in a walker, or tied onto the back of my horse, or duct-taped into my kayak. I do know that my balance issues are already slightly better since I've started doing some of the exercises recommended here, so that encourages me to think that with practice, i'll find a new "normal" with my sports that will amaze even me.
Go for it and let us know when you get your next hole in one!!!
You've got a great bunch of support folks here ...we'll all be cheering you on, no matter what you try.
Tricia