Finally, after three years, I can golf again!

[Apoc81]

Three years ago I suffered 3rd degree burns to my left foot and left leg at work, after tripping and slipping into a mould of molten Zinc, about 8 inches high filled with 6 inches of freshly poured zinc some idiot decided to place it on the floor behind me. (I couldn't hear him, I work in a lead/silver refinery of which zinc is a b-iproduct, and its extremely loud) on the floor behind me. When I stepped back off my platform to slag is, I stepped in his mould, it splashed into my boot and up my leg, and I eneded up burning 70% of my leg below the knee. 

Skingrafts, infections, problems started mounting (thankfully Canada has generous workers comp and my loans were all insure for sickness and injury), I had lost feeling in different parts of my leg, therapy wasn't working, alot of nerve endings were just fried. I walked with a slight limp because of the burned nerves, and the skin grafted skin tears, blisters, and bleeds constantly. 

It wasn't until I got into an argument with my physical therapist because after a year and a half she had not improved my ability to be more mobile even a little bit,  that my doctor referred me to a specialist sports therapist (Thankfully, again, paid by compensation). By this time, I was extremely depressed, I've always been athletic, play hockey all winter, golf all summer, been in the gym since I was young, I take care of myself. I had missed my first season of golf since I had started years before (and got down to a very low handicap with the help of weekly lessons, and constant practice). He taught me to instead of focusing on the feel of the nerves, to actually feel the muscle movements of each action. To learn how every movement felt in muscles, and practice it. We started with walking fast, then slow jogs, (and tons of different exercises), then running circular track, and sprints. He had a specialist come in and make me a specicial garment of a proprietary material which protects my foot (not those stupid jobs socks they give to patients, this is genuine sports stuff). Woksafe NB (what we call our workers compensation) agreed to pay for the socks for the rest of my life. At this point I'm missing my second season of golf, but i'm getting better. Over the winter I borrowed my old clubs from my brother, and started to work with a swingcoach at the indoor teaching setup he has twice a week. I've been discharged from physical therapy (I'll probably see a psychologist the rest of my life), and I bought all new clubs and gear, membership, and the Nike Vapor Fly Pro's were the last piece I was waiting on to be delivered (6'4" so I had to have them fitted and checked to lie and all that jazz), and they came in today. 

Tomorrow morning I golf. I'll never be as good as I was before I was burned, but I most certainly will strive for it. I was a 2-3 handicap when I got injured. I'm sitting here wondering if I can even break 90 now :/

[rehmwa]

WELCOME back.

I've played for 40 years and still can't play.    Just enjoy the day - you've earned it.

Enjoy this site - it's a good crowd.

[BamaWade]

Wow.  That's quite a bit of adversity you've had to fight through because of someone else's mistake.  Congrats on making it back to being able to play, and best wishes to you on your continuing recovery.

If I were you, I'd do my best to not have any concern for the final score tomorrow, though I know that's easier said than done.  But given all the physical changes and the long layoff, it seems unreasonable to expect too much your first time back out.  You'll get there.  I hope you're able to enjoy the fact that you're back out there playing again.  Getting your game where you want it will then be just another challenge, and one I bet you'll be up to.

And BTW, nice avatar.  Big Bruins fan, here.  Go B's.  Let us know how the round goes.

[Apoc81]

2 hours ago, rehmwa said:

WELCOME back.

I've played for 40 years and still can't play.    Just enjoy the day - you've earned it.

Enjoy this site - it's a good crowd.

Thanks. 

I was a member here for some years in the past. I'm not sure what happened to my posts. Eric said something about a board change (When I tried to login my account said banned and I had to contact the admin to find out why). I always loved it here. But it's hard to deal with when you can't play. 

Unfortunately though, walking more than 9 holes is out of the question. Too hard on my foot. So i'll be carting it from here on in. I never used a cart without my dad before (he's 60 and can't walk 18 anymore with his knees).

[Apoc81]

Well, those 6 months of indoor practice with my swing coach definitely helped. I shot an honest 91. I was extremely conservative, and nailed a lot of putts. It was a stunning day, I'm not shooting in the 70's like I was three years ago, but I feel I can get back there, with lots of rounds and continuing lessons. 

 

I found it weird using a cart though. Feels wrong. 

[JonMA1]

Good to hear. I have a feeling you'll be back to breaking 80 before long.