May brought a turning point in my life – knee surgery. It also inspired me to start this blog. My intention was to use this platform to stay connected to the golf community. It proved to be that and so much more for me. Here’s how recovery over the past four months has unfolded:
What’s Working:
- Physical Therapy: A vital part of my recovery, physical therapy has been a game-changer. The structured exercises have not only helped me regain strength but have also provided a sense of progress and accomplishment. However, it hasn’t been easy to get to my appointments due to my schedule and traveling as of late.
- Mindset: Maintaining a positive mindset has been my secret weapon. Celebrating small victories, no matter how minor, has kept my spirits high and motivated me to push forward. Hardest part yet!
- Support System: The unwavering support of friends and family has been invaluable. Their encouragement and assistance have made recovery feel less isolating.
- Adaptation: I’ve learned to adapt to my limitations. Making modifications to my daily routine and activities has allowed me to maintain a sense of normalcy. I have already watched my behavior shift in other parts of my life because of this mentality.
Challenges and Progress on the Golf Course:
- Impatience: Impatience has been my downfall since surgery. I’ve often found myself wishing for a faster recovery. When I say I thought I would be recovered in no time flat, I meant it. But yikes, I was wrong.
- Pain Management: While I’ve made strides in managing pain, there are days when it’s more challenging. Maintaining mental clarity through unmedicated pain has been a delicate dance. This is especially in times when I go a little too hard in the activity paint and inflammation comes knocking.
- Limitations: Accepting my physical limitations has been a hurdle. There are activities I miss dearly and accepting that they may be off-limits for a while has been tough. Painful, really.
- Comparison – The Thief of Joy: Comparing my progress to others’ recovery journeys has been a waste of my time that I can’t seem to get away from. Everyone’s journey is unique, and it’s essential to focus on my own progress rather than trying to match someone else’s. If anyone has any suggestions on this front, let me know!
My first round back:
Golfing a full round, probably too early, resulted in much needed perspective. I’ve been so anxious to get back out onto the fairway, that I paid for it in energy lost for SEVERAL days. When I say I was wrecked, think about the first time you or someone you knew played 36 holes. I was “first time playing 36 holes” wrecked.
Colin and I are heading out to our make-up honeymoon golf trip in Arizona. I will report back on how well things went. Cross your fingers, please!
Until next week!
