First some backstory: In July of 2015 I had a sleeve gastrectomy (aka: Bariatric Sleeve Surgery), it helped me go from close to 400 lbs, to under 200 lbs and I’ve managed to keep it off these last 5 years and continue to be active and healthy. About 7 months after surgery, down almost 85 lbs at that point, we spent a weekend with my in-laws and I was not careful for the first time about hydration being away from home. Long story short, that Monday, I stood up in my classroom prior to classes starting and fainted, smacking my head on the desk on the way down (fortunately, since it woke me up enough to put my hands down and not crack my skull on the concrete floor). Of course, everyone was concerned with my health, even though I knew from the outset it was dehydration, but I agreed to go to the ER where they did, in fact, confirm Dr. Fitz’s diagnosis, pumped me full of fluids and sent me home after a few hours. Since that time I have been incredibly careful about all things hydration. I start the day with 24 oz of water and drink copious amounts as the day goes on. Of course, there are very few occasions where I don’t closely enough monitor but usually I’m right on top of it.

About a year ago, I felt light headed again in the classroom (this time during the first class) knowing what the cause likely was (I had recently had a full physical where EVERY result was on point), I started to drink water, water and more water….this time Dr. Fitz overdid it and I ended up with Hyponatremia (aka water intoxication) where I had driven my salt levels too low. 24 hours later all was balanced again and I was fine.

That brings me to golf: I started playing when I was 13, really loved it, played 6 days a week when I was in college and got pretty good at it. Then life kinda got in the way…marriage, kids, working multiple jobs and that weight thing I referred to above…then acute arthritis in both hips (had both replaced) but still was Corpulent Chris, so playing golf was out of the question. Three years ago, (remember I had lost 200 lbs by then and was running and terribly active) I was invited by the Principal of the little school I teach at in semi-retirement to be part of the faculty foursome for the fund raiser golf tournament they were having. I figured what the hell and went took her up on it. I had a GREAT time, (played terribly as I had not even swung a club in 10 years) but had fun…so I started playing again, a little then a lot..I prefer now, to walk and carry my own bag (I did buy a pushcart, but I still prefer to carry it’s just easier) and did find that at the beginning of the season my first round or two would result in painful quad cramps likely do to not drinking enough water on the round, even though it usually happened in the spring where it wasn’t that hot. So, I added to my very successful routine, more water and two Brode Hydration Vitamins prior to each round and have not run into that again.

That brings me to the point of this post….Monday I played 18 at Connecticut National in Putnam with a friend in brutal heat and humidity and we rode in a cart as it was part of the T-deal, I have improved my game to where I’m not pretty consistently in the mid-high 80’s and did shoot an 88 including a birdie and 4 pars. On the way home I got a text asking if I wanted to play on Tuesday (yesterday) at 11:50 in the morning on the local course where I had just carded an 83 (my lowest in decades). I immediately accepted and decided I’d walk since I love walking that course (Oak Hills in Norwalk). I made sure I had 40oz of water prior to going, along with my Brode vitamins. I brought another 40oz to carry so all seemed ready to go. The front 9 was a mediocre 46 though I did par the 2nd and 3rd holes. I was resolved to turn it around on the back and did par 3 of the first 4 holes ( a triple on #11 due to a wayward tee shot and a bad break when I was inches from a fabulous recovery but a tree limb barely got in the way) then I felt myself wearing down a bit and some inconsistent last few holes (triple, double,double,bogie,double) ended up with an aggravating 49.

As we walked to our respective cars, my playing partner asked if we had time for a frosty one…it sounded great so I immediately accepted. We ordered a pitcher and sipped some water sitting at an outdoor table in the comfortable shade with a refreshing breeze. I took a delicious sip and put my glass down. The very next thing I was aware of was Robert tapping me and saying “Kevin…Kevin….” why you ask?? Well, apparently I had completely passed out (thankfully while sitting in the chair) as was momentarily totally unresponsive to the point where he had initiated a 911 call. When I snapped to, he hung up, (but again good news, they called him back immediately to check on the disconnection..he told them I had come back so, no, they didn’t need to send anyone). I gave them quite a scare…bottom like, even though I had consumed 64oz of water while playing, I must have significantly dehydrated (when I got home I got on the scale and had lost 9 lbs…that’s a LOT in a few hours). They got me some iced towels and we waited about a half hour at which time I felt pretty ok….Robert insisted on following me home and I made the trip easily. I was still a bit tired last night, but managed to grill a strip steak and have some of it with part of a baked potato ( it is my week to cook but that’s another post entirely). Today, all is well, I took the dog out for a long walk, did some things around the house in preparation for having another couple over for an appropriate distant screen porch evening. Guess it seems that even though you think you’ve done all you can regarding hydration in heat and humidity, there is always more to do…

An interesting postscript about god watching over drunks and fools…think about it, this could have turned out to be tragic if I had NOT accepted or he had NOT asked about staying around for a cup of suds, I likely would have been on the road during the time I passed out…pretty scary thought there huh?? Moral of the story, never pass up a beer!!!