Playing With or After Surviving Cancer... Any TT Member In The Same Situation ??

Follow Thread

By Rick R

  • 0 Likes
  • 11 Replies
  1. Rick R

    Rick R
    Graham, WA

    I've been out of commission the last month plus with medical problems. I was just diagnosed today with bladder cancer. My prognosis is good, and hopefully should be a cancer survivor. I was wondering if any of you out there have gone through this, and how, if at all it affected your game. I know that after surgeries and chemotherapy would have a major impact on your game, but were you able to continue on after recovery and survival at the same, better, or worse form than before??

    Not that I'm the best player in the world, but I love the game, and hope to continue at the same clip I was at before this. I was progressing well.

    I know that there are may variables to this as cancer is not a specific illness and the effects vary from type and case. I was just wondering if anyone has gone thorugh this at all...

  2. steve b

    steve b

    Rick, I'm sorry to hear that you have cancer. I'm glad the prognosis is good! The medical field is making very good progress in treating cancer. A little over a year ago I was told I had prostate cancer. It's a shock when the doctor tells you this news, as you know. I told him I wanted "it" out of my body! He sent me to I.U. MEDICAL CENTER in Indianapolis and had robotic surgery to remove my prostate. I am caner free for now. If you can have robotic surgery, take it! The recovery time is amazing! Two weeks after surgery I was shoveling snow out of my driveway!!!! As for how I feel now, I feel GREAT!! I hope the same is in your future!!! Keep us posted on your progress and I wish you ALL THE BEST! steve b
  3. Brian D

    Brian D
    Norton, MA

    Hi Rick, not something I have personally experienced, but have had a few members of our club go through this.

    I wish you the best of luck on your road to recovery

    Brian

  4. Avery T

    Avery T
    Lucas, TX

    Not cancer but was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2007. Started with high dosage of steroids and other medicines to try and slow down the rate of decline of kidney functions. In 2009 was put on the transplant list and almost had to start dialysis when on July 5th, 2010 in the clubhouse after a round I received a call that they had a kidney for me. The next day I had my transplant. The first year after I had many problems from rejection issues to viruses due to immune system being suppressed. Did not play any golf for almost 2 years. Then my kidney functions starting improving and have continued to improve. Started playing again in 2012 and now my handicap is better than when my disease started. I have improved from a 16 to a 10. I love golf and without it I'm sure my recovery would not have been as fast as it was. Walking and playing golf is great therapy for the body and soul.

  5. Rick R

    Rick R
    Graham, WA

    Thanks for the replies so far Guys... Much appreciated !!! And very imspiring also !!

    I finally get to go out to the range this weekend to hit...been 6 weeks. I had the tumors removed on Aug 3rd, and everything is a go to get out there and swing again.

    I go back in mid-September for another exploratory surgery to make sure they got all of the tumors and to see if there is anything else funny going on. Chemotherapy after that. I'm gonna swing like crazy for the next 5 weeks.  I hope that between rounds of chemo I can get some rounds out on the course... 

  6. robert j

    robert j

    Cancer changes one's life for good. It's scary, but then the fight begins.  I am battling throat cancer.  The prognosis is good. I have lost 28 pounds through 2 chemo treatments and 18 days of 33 of radiation.  I hope to be stronger in recovery, be in better physical shape and play to my old level.  I'm putting indoors everyday. I think setting goals for post cancer treatments helps you see beyond this terrible disease. But be patient. Yes. it will come back.  God Bless for a full recovery.  Bobby J 

  7. Michael JC

    Michael JC
    Orwell, VT

    Hi there Rick, I am a cancer patient survivor. On May 18th, 2007 I was diagnosed with leukemia. The initial diagnosis can be quite a shock. Very easy to "what If ". I found that the golf course was a great type of therapy. It did not matter if I was not hitting quality shots, I was still golfing, looking down at the divots.

    I did not have any surgeries, since leukemia is blood cancer. I take a pill, once a day, most likely for the rest of my life. The initial side affects were pretty brutal. Eventually my system adjusted to the chemo pill. I have been in remission for almost 3 years.

    Good luck in your "match" with cancer.

    PS- after typing this, I know realize I have get to get back to enjoying the game and not worry about "quality " shots !

    Thanks, Mike

  8. Rick R

    Rick R
    Graham, WA

    Got out to the range today, man it felt good !!!

    I was a little afraid to really let loose, so I was about 10-25 yards shorter than I have been. I have another month or so until my second surgery, and then chemo, so I'm gonna get out as much as I can before then.

    It really lifts my spirits knowing that there are success stories out there. It eases my mind a lot, and helps me stay confident and focused on recovery.

  9. dave p

    dave p
    lexington, KY

    Rick, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2012. Had a whipple surgery and spent about a month in hospital and rehab. I lost 45 lbs leading up to the surgery. Golf was my motivation. I set a target date to get back to playing and just barely reach it. My game was bad before, so "starting over" I decided to take lessons, get fitted for clubs and get back to basics. My game is so much better than before. I am a survivor and pray the gods, golf and the One will continue to keep all of us in the fairways.  Good Luck!!!

  10. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    Hi Rick, Sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with bladder cancer, and wish you the best on the road to recovery. Where there is a will there is a way, I am sure that there will be nothing stopping you from getting back out on the course. CH
  11. Allen B

    Allen B
    Delta, BC

    Rick, hope that all is well with your Bladder Cancer,& that recovery is a success. I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and chose to have surgery to remove it. My doctor indicated no golf for 6-8 weeks, followed by short game swings only for two weeks. During the six weeks I took the opportunity to read Dave Stockton's Unconscious Putting & Scoring ( I Am not sure I would have read had I had this break ) & this time without swinging a club proved to be a blessing. My putting & Short game have improved. Now I am not saying that Dave Stockton's instruction are for you.My point is that after my surgery the time a way from practice & playing gave me the opportunity to look at my overall game & look at parts of my game requiring improvement. Hope that this will help you. Take care, Allen
  12. Rick R

    Rick R
    Graham, WA

    Well... as you can tell by the date of this thread, it's been a while. What they say is true, the treatment is more painful than the cure most of the time. I had a short return, but the chemo put me down for most of the good weather in 2016. My regiment is being stretched out with longer time in between treatments. I'm finally starting to feel almost normal again. I'm really itching to get out and hit some 710AP2's I managed to pick up while I was inactive. Hoping for some halfway decent weather in the next couple months to at least hit the range. It really has been difficult not being able to get out. Hearing all the cool stuff my other playing buddies had happen to them, both good and bad, would have been so much fun to witness in person...

Please login to post a comment.

Sign In

Haven't registered for Team Titleist yet?

Sign Up

Find a golf store near me