As the summer drifts by and I reflect on missing a full season, I start to realise that it could be a good thing.

That might sound a bit strange but having time off from the game has changed my whole attitude towards cricket and life in general.

At the time of course it was the worst feeling in the world and I thought my world had ended - cricket had been my life and the thought of it being taken from me was frightening.

Being in hospital for a week had given me time to reflect on what I wanted in life, and where I wanted my cricket career to take me. The worst part about being in hospital was the thought that I would not be playing cricket for Glamorgan this year.

After a couple of inconsistent seasons personally and Glamorgan's dip in form, I was really targeting this year to push myself back into the England frame like I did in 2004.

The year started badly when I had a reoccurrence of an old foot injury picked up from bowling in the indoor cricket school in Cardiff. The bowlers call it the "bowler's graveyard" as the surface is like concrete and causes so many injuries.

It was my turn in January and meant I couldn't do any physical training for seven weeks. This was a bad start, but meant I had to train twice as hard to get to the level I felt I needed to recapture my old form of 2004.

As a member of the MCC I was asked if I wanted to go on tour to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand in early March. This was seen by myself and Glamorgan as an ideal opportunity to go away play some cricket, then come back for a tough pre season.

Things started fine, playing two one day games in Christchurch and the bowling going really well. It was after a short flight to Queenstown and a training session that I noticed a real stiffness in my back. It meant that I only managed one more game on the tour which was in Auckland. By this time I was in agony, it got to the stage where I couldn't sit down as a shooting pain would run from my back down to my right foot. It's difficult to describe the pain, but I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

After a flight home from Auckland via Melbourne and Hong Kong that seemed like a lifetime from it was straight to the hospital in Cardiff for an MRI scan.

It showed a disc bulge in my lumber spine which was pressing on my sciatic nerve. After numerous injections and physiotherapy it was decided that operating was the only option.

Missing this season has been a huge disappointment, but I have used it as a real positive to identify areas of my game that need huge improvement.

Looking back on the previous two years, there have been times where my physical and mental fitness have let me down.

When you are playing and travelling every day in the summer these areas can get neglected.

Being well prepared to play county cricket is key to being successful and looking after yourself is vital with the travelling and playing that comes with the job.

My lifestyle is another area that I feel I need to improve on to be able to get the best out of my body every day.

I am currently studying a masters in sports coaching and development at UWIC and starting university is something that has helped my psycological state - being able to focus my mind on a new challenge has really helped ease the frustration of the summer.

Having something different to focus on apart from your cricket is something I have taken on board and I feel it has made me a more rounded individual and hopefully this will also improve my cricket.

In the weeks that passed after the operation I found myself getting down and wondering whether I would ever play again.

I spoke to a few friends who are also professional sportsmen and they said they felt the same after their operations in their respective sports. It really made me realise how lucky I was to be playing professional sport for a living when it was essentially my hobby.

Looking back over the previous seven years there have been so many things that I had taken for granted. Realising this, it has given me extra determination to get back fit and playing to repay everyone who has helped me.

Another reminder about putting things in perspective was to first hear about Michael Powell being taken to intensive care after complications during an operation to remove a rib and then to see him in hospital.

It made me realise that we should be lucky to have our health and whether we played professional sport again didn't seem to matter.

It has also been a difficult time for Glamorgan in 2007. We have been particularly unlucky with injuries and illness. Not having Simon Jones fit for a long period of time is a huge loss. He is frustrated that his knee keeps swelling up, he works harder than anybody on his fitness and Glamorgan will be a better team with him fit.

Another big loss is obviously Powell who will miss this year and hopes to be fit to start next season. It's good to see him back in the gym and looking much healthier.

But there have also been some real positives. James Harris has been a huge success, a 17-year-old fast bowler from west Wales who has a huge future, as does young batsman Ben Wright who has also shown he has the talent and determination to succeed at first class level.

Glamorgan have shownthey can compete, never more than when beating Nottinghamshire without an overseas player when Stephen Fleming and David Hussey were in their line-up.

It's frustrating for players and supporters alike as we would like to be more consistent. With Matthew Maynard recently appointed as cricket manager plus the return of the injured players, the future is looking brighter.

The young players will also profit from their experience with the first team. Matt will offer years of experience as a player and also as a coach after spending two years as Duncan Fletcher's assistant with England, and that can only be of benefit to the younger brigade.

I feel missing this season will make me a stronger cricketer and character. The main lesson I've learnt is not to take anything for granted in your chosen career or your personal life.