Professional golfer has replacement valve

[sue943]

I see from my local newspaper today that professional golfer, Tommy Horton, who will be 65 later this month, had a valve replaced eight days ago having collapsed three weeks ago on a golf course.

The headline reads "No golf for 12 weeks, Tommy Horton is told". It goes on to say that after his collapse he went to A&E and was diagnosed as having a faulty valve, he was then sent to London where he saw Dr Charles Pumphrey, who sent him for an angiogram having examined him for two minutes. He then had surgery in St Anthony's Hospital performed by John Smith.

Mr Horton said "I believe that I had the best surgeons available and I was not frightened when I underwent the operation".

He has been told not to drive for six weeks and not to play golf for twelve weeks. Presumably he intends returning to professional golf. He has won more than £1 million in prize money since he turned 50.

I found the story interesting for two reasons, firstly that he expects to be able to play golf in twelve weeks, presumably at professional level, and secondly that he had the same cardiologist and surgeon as I did, and surgery at the same private hospital. With all his money he no doubt 'got the best' and that is reassuring for me.

[Phyllis]

I can see where this would be very reassuring to you, Sue! Dick played golf (of course not on a professional level:D ) at 12 weeks and doubles in tennis also.

[geebee]

I like the idea that there is a medical system in this world where money or lack of it) doesn't affect the quality of your care. That would not happen here if you did not have insurance coverage or lots of money. Yes, there are good doctors working in county hospitals, but the great ones do not.
I hope Mr. Horton recovers quickly and is truly able to keep that golf schedule.

[sue943]

We both had private health care for our surgery but both doctors were available to me completely free on the NHS, it was my choice to go to another hospital and pay them - the food was so much better than in an NHS hospital, they even had a wine list! :) I ought to point out that no cardiac surgery, or even angiograms, are carried out here as the population is too small to support them - not enough practice to keep up their skills. We are always sent off island and normally to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London, this is a centre of excellence for cardiac surgery. Everyone in Jersey is able to have the very best medical treatment available in England for free.

I still don't think that I could have played golf at twelve weeks, even if I knew how.

[MarkU]

Not taking anything alway from Mr. Horton (I do wish him well in his recovery), but I've never considered golf to be an "athletic" event.

Quite frankly, I'm much more impressed by the all marathoners, Ironman triathletes and other accomplished athletes we have right here on VR.com. :D

[tommy]

1. I've dabbled in golf.
2. "Dabbling in golf" is an oxymoron, beause you really can't be a successful golfer by dabbling.
3. For over a year, post AVR, I had a sharp twinge iin my breastbone with every good swing.
4. Good swings are rare for me (see #2 above):D .

12 weeks back to the pro circuit sounds pretty fast to me, but certainly possible. I recall a leading pro golfer (was it Nicholaus or Palmer?) that played a tournament the same week after he had his appendix out. Perhaps their experience and powers of concentration help them overcome obstacles such as pain (see #2 above):D .

[Georgia]

I can't imagine how it'd feel to hit a really good divot at 12 weeks. ARGH. Maybe pros never hit behind the ball. Or top it. Or whiff. Or do all the stupid stuff I always did on the course that would undoubtedly challenge your sternotomy wires.

[msiwik]

1. I've dabbled in golf.
2. "Dabbling in golf" is an oxymoron, beause you really can't be a successful golfer by dabbling.
3. For over a year, post AVR, I had a sharp twinge iin my breastbone with every good swing.
4. Good swings are rare for me (see #2 above):D .

12 weeks back to the pro circuit sounds pretty fast to me, but certainly possible. I recall a leading pro golfer (was it Nicholaus or Palmer?) that played a tournament the same week after he had his appendix out. Perhaps their experience and powers of concentration help them overcome obstacles such as pain (see #2 above):D .

Before my avr, I read Nicklaus's biography and was struck by his comment that it took him a year to recover from his hip replacement. The reason was getting the anesthesia out of his body before he felt he could fully concentrate and play at an optimal level. Mark

[Marty]

My pro who had heart surgery a couple of years before I did had me chipping and putting two weeks post op and at eight weeks I took the full turn with no problems. By the way, if you walk and carry your own bag -it is exercise.