After my physical therapy Wednesday at St. Mary's Hospital, Ozaukee, I talked my wife into letting me go across the street to the "Missing Links" golf course. I talked her into letting me try to hit a small bucket of balls on the driving range.
(I didn't know till after, but she was terrified!)
My doc had told me I could try anything i wanted as of 8 weeks after surgery, so i figured, what the heck, why not try?
So i got a small bucket, about 40 balls, and gave it a shot. I have to admit, i was nervous as heck. I didn't know WHAT was gonna happen.
While i was waiting in line to get my golf balls, I mentioned to the owner that i had just had the open heart surgery 8 weeks ago. A young man, i'd say in his mid 20's was in line behind me, he heard what i said and he said to me "And your going to hit golf balls already?" I said "Sure! Whats the worst that can happen? I mean......other then my chest popping open, and me landing in two halves!" I was laughing as i said it. He said "Man......I admire your spirit!" He actually came up to me afterward and asked how i did.
I actually, after having a bad start, hit a few decent shots. I have to admit though, the next day.......MAN, am i SORE! But i DID IT!!!
I figure, the doc told me i can try anything, but if it hurts too much to stop right away. I got through it. I figured it's the only way I'll know what i can and can't do yet, is by trying.
Again, i want to thank all of you for the thoughts and prayers. I haven't talked alot about my recovery for awhile, and it IS a daily battle. I have to exercise every day, and it's a total lifestyle change.
I still have a long way to go, but i'm getting there! Before surgery i was pretty close to 230 pounds. Wednesday when i weighed in at PT, I was 207. I haven't weighed that low in at least 15 years. That part feels good, being able to look down and actually see mt feet! I still have the "pot belly", but it's getting smaller!
Thank you ALL again, for all you have done for me! For the Wii (which has been a BLAST!) and for the uplifting comments. You might not believe it, but when i have gone back and read the threads about what i was going through, and the way my "family" here rallied around me, you don't know how much that has STILL lifted my spirits! Especially when i'm having a bad day.
Sorry for rambling so much.

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I wander who was more terrified: you or the balls! :D

Thanks for the update. Keep them coming.

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Congrats on losing the weight. A few years ago, I was a little over weight, so I started eating better, and lost about 35 pounds. I felt A LOT better after that. My blood pressure was really high, so I cut down on my sodium(no more fast food) and ate more fruit; and BAM, before I knew it I was 35 lbs lighter!

Way to go Cheesey. Keep it up and don't lose the faith that; 1....you will be in great shape by the end of summer; 2...you will be able to get a whole new wardrobe, ( I'm thinking kind of Dennis Rodman style); and 3....
those golf balls will take you seriously when you start whacking them. Just be careful whose balls you whack.

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OMIGOD! TWO Cheeseys? I'm gonna have nightmares now! :cussing:

:)

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I know.....there are some things the world could NEVER be prepared for!!!

Nonstop.......i think the players around me had more to fear then the golf balls did.....they just didn't KNOW it!


Ironman.....my blood pressure was real high too. I'm on meds, as well as changig my diet. I was a "saltaholic" before, now i use very little. (Some things just HAVE to have at least a LITTLE salt on them!)
I'm trying hard to get my diabetes well under control too, so i can HOPEFULLY stop taking the shots before each meal, and go back to pills. I HAVE got the amount drastically dropped in my short time home. I went from 18 units before each meal, to 9, now to 5. And my night time insulin from 30 units down to 20. So if i keep at it, hopefully i can at least do away with the before meal shots. I HATE having to do those. It's weird, cause sometimes it doesn't hurt at all, other times it hurts like hell! And i never know until i get the needle in......which makes me sit there for 2 to 3 minutes each time, getting my "nerve" up to do it.


Bob........i'm shocked already at how i look. I saw my reflection in a mirror at the store the other day, and although i'm far from thin, there was alot less "me" then i'm used to seeing.
Before surgery i was wearing 46 inch waist pants, and they were skin tight.......yesterday, i put on a pair of 42's, and they fit almost perfectly. I haven't seen 42's in about 15 or 20 years.

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