Under the Knife

Two weeks ago, I underwent surgery to repair an inguinal hernia in my right groin area. An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a weak spot on the abdominal muscles.

I first became aware of the hernia early last summer, when I would experience discomfort while standing for a lengthy period of time. The discomfort would quickly subside once I sat down. With each passing week and month, the discomfort came quicker and more frequently.

In October, during a routine visit with my physician, I made them aware of this discomfort. My doctor said what I was describing sounded like a hernia, and verified it through a physical exam of the area. However, a subsequent ultrasound failed to show the hernia.

In early January, my doctor ordered a CAT scan, which clearly diagnosed the inguinal hernia. I met with a surgeon, was cleared to have surgery by my cardiologist, and the repair was scheduled for late in the month. However, a severe cold, which later turned into pneumonia, forced the surgery to be postponed until two week ago.

Following the successful surgery, I was instructed to limit my activity as part of my recovery. A followup exam last Friday with the surgeon showed the repair is healing nicely. While I do have restrictions in how much I can lift and other activities, the doctor said I could return to the gym in a few weeks, which will allow to start getting my stamina and fitness back.

My golf, however, has been put on indefinite hold while I go through my post-repair recovery. The surgeon said that right now, the force of a golf swing could cause re-injury. He said it could be two months or more before I can begin hitting golf balls. This will delay the start of my golf season until at least mid-May.

As you may recall, I had heart bypass surgery in March 2017, which delayed my golf season until August, which resulted in me only being able to play about three rounds that fall. So being delayed until May or June is not going to ruin my golf season.

I have another followup appointment with the surgeon in mid-April. I am hopeful that he will clear me to at least begin putting, and perhaps some chipping, at that time. Until that time, all I will be able to do is watch golf videos and whatever content the Golf Channel is showing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go Gym Dandy

Eight weeks after last March's cardiac bypass surgery, I began 12 weeks of cardiac rehab at Temple University Health System's Jeanes Hospital. Three times a week I would go and work out for an hour, as I recaptured my strength and stamina. Once I completed the supervised rehab, I was on my own, although they did give me a plan to follow.

While I relied on walking throughout the fall to keep myself in shape, my cardiologist felt that with winter weather approaching, it wouldn't hurt to join a gym. So at the end of December, I joined the Planet Fitness in Trevose, Pa. Since the week of Jan. 8, I have regularly been going to this gym three times a week, where I work out for approximately an hour following a modified version of the routine given to me at cardiac rehab. My workouts are as follows:

• 30 minutes on the treadmill
• 15 minutes on the stationary bike
• 5 minutes on the elliptical machine (occasionally)
• 3 sets of free weights (5-7.5 lbs)
• 2-3 laps around the gym to cool down.

These exercises have helped to keep my weight steady, my cholesterol low and my heart strong. There have been nights when I haven't felt up to going to the gym, but it is interesting how something like heart surgery can serve as a motivator! I even plan to try and add some abdominal strengthening in the near future. It is my hope that come the spring, this regular exercise routine will benefit my golf game too.

I Hereby Resolve...

With the calendar switching from December to January, a new year is upon us. This means a time for reflection, taking stock of ourselves, and setting forth our goals for the new year. Or, as we like to say this time of year, making our New Year's Resolutions.

While many of us make resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more and give up certain vices, these are not an option for me after last year's open heart surgery. So I will be sticking to my healthier diet and going to the gym (I joined Planet Fitness at the end of December) as a result of the bypass surgery. But I have also made up a short list of golf resolutions for 2018 that I want to share with you now.

Golf Resolutions for 2018:

* Play a minimum of 20 rounds in 2018. Twenty years ago, I would play 30-plus rounds during a golf season, but that number has slowly decreased over the past two decades to where I have barely make the low teens in a given season. The last year I reached 20 rounds was in 2008. Last year,

because the surgery and rehab, I managed only three rounds. In 2018, I am aiming to once again play 20-plus rounds of golf.

* Have a minimum of 10 practice sessions during the 2018 season. These practice sessions will be focused on preparing for the season and improving during the season. I am will structure these practices for maximum benefit. Included in these practice sessions will be working on my short game and putting.

* Play at least two new courses in 2018. Last October, I played a new course, The Bucks Club, for the first time since 2015. This year, I aim to play two courses that I have never before played.

* Start my golf season no later than April. The past several years, my lack of rounds can be attributed to the fact that I don't start playing until mid to late May. This year, I aim to be prepared and on the course before the end of April.

* Maintain a focus on course management and playing all of my rounds under 100 throughout the season. By concentrating on course management, I aim to avoid the one or two holes per round that inflate scores and keep my scoring below 100 for all rounds played in 2018.

Here's to keeping my golf resolutions and having a very enjoyable 2018 on the links!