Former Pro Golfer Turned Instructor Jim McLean, 76, Is Recovering After Being 'Pronounced Dead Twice' from Diverticulitis
· Yahoo Sports
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NEED TO KNOW
- Jim McLean revealed he was hospitalized in May and pronounced dead twice due to complications from diverticulitis, which is inflammation or infection in small pockets inside the colon
- McLean credited his wife, Amparo, his sons, and close friends for supporting him during his recovery
- The golf instructor shared that he is working toward full health and plans to transfer to a physical therapy hospital soon
Jim McLean, the 76-year-old former professional golfer-turned-golf instructor, is giving a major health update.
McLean published an open letter to all his friends in an Instagram post on Saturday, June 27, explaining why he's been distant over the past few weeks.
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"To all my friends: I'm sorry I have not gotten back to you," wrote McLean in his statement, noting that he had a "brief story" to share with them.
"I arrived in an ambulance on May 26. I was pronounced dead twice—from diverticulitis—where the colon is punctured," he said.
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Diverticulitis occurs when people develop inflammation or infection in small pockets inside the colon, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
"If one of the pockets becomes injured or infected, it can cause inflammation inside. If you have a sharp pain in your lower left abdominal quadrant, it might be diverticulitis," the clinic explains.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, rectal bleeding, and constipation.
Because of his diagnosis, McLean said he turned off his phone for over three weeks before starting to answer "a few texts."
While he cut off communication from the outside world, he still received support from those closest to him.
"From the beginning, my two boys flew down to be with me, also a few close friends," wrote McLean. "My brother Tom stayed 11 days. Other friends flew in to be at bedside. My wife Amparo, has been with me 24/7. She has been my rock. She sleeps in a chair, in the hospital, next to me.”
Jim McLean at the 2002 Verizon ClassicMcLean added in his caption that he is "working on getting back to full health."
“I'll be transferring to PT hospital by the end of next week. Thanks to all of you for the positive notes," he said.
He received support from his peers in the comment section.
Fellow golf instructor Mike Bury wrote, "You've got at least nine lives in you. You just used two of them at once. There's still a lot of meat left on the bone. Thinking about you and your family. You're tough as nails, mate!"
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Sean Foley wrote, "You will be back on the range in no time my friend. You will do great 🫡"
McLean played professional golf for two years before teaching. In addition to establishing his own school, the Jim McLean Golf School, he has coached the likes of Gary Woodland, Curtis Strange, and Cristie Kerr, per Golf Digest.
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