Appearing on ABC radio show Australia All over with Ian McNamara
Sunday I had been invited to appear on Ian McNamara’s Australia All Over radio show to talk about recovery from a broken leg and what it’s like to have surgery. I managed to drive and get up from the ABC carpark into the building on crutches. It’s a real therapy for me as I love radio broadcasting and Ian is such an enthusiastic personality. It was very uplifting to see him and his lovely producer, Lee Kelly – no relation – again. They have both been very good friends to me since I first spoke on Ian’s programme in 1999. If I had my life over, being a radio broadcaster would be at the top of the list of things I would love to have spent my life doing. Radio broadcasting and writing for a living are two things I wish Fate had allowed me to do.
Ian McNamara, a great friend and Australian radio legend
John Williamson, the Australian folksinger came in just as I was leaving. I had never met him before but he is one of the best-known figures in Australian music. Anyway it was good therapy. My foot feels a bit better but I couldn’t walk on it yet. I have got seven days to come good and if there is a God he should show me some mercy and let me go. When I arrived home, there was an email from Barry Feyder to the group going on the Jatbula Track, asking them what time they would like to be picked up by the group taxi next Sunday. I said 6.40am would do me fine adding, tongue in cheek, that I would need a cab capable of carrying a wheelchair. He asked what type of wheelchair I was planning to take on the trip. One attached to a helicopter would be very useful.
In the ABC studio for Australia All Over. I have a passion for radio broadcasting and connecting with other Australians
I spent Sunday evening oiling my hiking boots, checking GPS, checking other gear that I’ll need on the walk, while also watching Game of Thrones. Am in a fair bit of pain. Cant’ believe I’ll be able to go but I’ve got to try and think positively. Trying not to get too despondent. It’s very comforting to oil and polish a pair of hiking boots. It’s so familiar. Done it times beyond counting.
Hi Kieran
Heard you on Maccas show this morning and thought i would reply…for what its worth.
I broke both the bones in my leg , at the ankle when my horse bucked me off. I actually landed on my feet but i fell backwards and my leg was anchored in the sand and snapped at the height of the elastic sided boots.
It was a week in hospital and a plate and 12 pins. This was the recommendation of the surgeon as he said a rod could shatter and would need removal at some stage although jockeys seem to have this procedure.
This happened in October 2000 and i was riding again January/February 2001 albeit tentatively and quietly. The surgeon said i was in the top ten for recovery and he did’nt want to know how i had done it!
I didnt have any formal physio, nor was i offered any but that was my own fault. As i was training racehorses and very much hands on i had all the physio i needed! Driving a land cruiser i found the clutch pedal to be just enough resistance or give and take to be very helpful.
nothing special with the diet, i already eat healthily. I dont like medication but i think i had tramel for the pain but because of horror stories of addiction it was only sparingly. Panadol/panadeine otherwise. Anyway i feel pain is there for a reason…to take it carefully!
I remember being a “hero” and hobbling around on crutches, trying to be as normal as possible. But be kind to those around you , they are only trying to help.
My leg was sore and ached for years, especially after being on hard surfaces and running was very hard. And i was worried for a long time of rebreaking it.
Last winter i had a scare, the ankle was very painful, as though i had sprained it. but an xray showed every thing was fine just a little wear and tear. Arthritis happening i suppose although this year has been fine.
i think for speed of recovery nowadays consult with athletes like jockeys and footballers who seem to get going very quickly, if thats what you need. Otherwise listen to your body.
Regards
Bernadine
Riding again in 4 months. You are amazing. Shame about the arthritis, but I’ve been warned it goes with the territory. 12 pins, that’s big. I had six. I have a very good personal trainer who has done a lot with recovering spots people. She had told me some amazing stories about footballers. They are young which helps.
Hi Kieran, what a great web production, up there with the best of them. How courageous you are, your determination and achievements are a credit to you and the encouragement that you instil in other people is an indication of the wonderful person you portray. Your family and friends are lucky people. I have been listening to both Ian and yourself since program began in 1999 and the absolute pleasure that this gives so many people, I couldn’t imagine not having this in my life. I will keep absorbing your journey as there will be lots of things that I can tap into to improve my quality of life, I thank you for that opportunity. It is never too late to be a writer, the festivals would be fun and informative, and you are already doing a great job with Ian, why don’t you fill in for him when he needs it. Take care and I look forward to following your recovery. Warmest regards, Karen
Thanks for your kind words. Don’t know if I could fill in for Ian Mac. He is one of a kind.
I would agree, but we are all unique in our own special way, you have a lot to offer. Warmest regards, Karen
PS By the responses that your morning session has invoked there are lots of people reaching out to you.
I am pleased to meet you. Have listened to you talking with Macca for years and years and……. You have had an interesting life, done adventurous things. I love to hear that you are to be on AAO. I wish on a complete recovery because I want to hear more of your exploits.
December 2014 I feel backwards in a mulch heap in my garden; I was upright within a minute. I felt fine . But within a week I felt pain in my right shoulder. I had sprained/strained the muscles. I am under a physiotherapist who treats her patients on land (traditional) and in water (aquatic physiotherapy). I am a devotee of aquatic physio. My shoulder feels much improved today. Bye now. Have fun. Rita
Aquatic physio has been a big part of my programme. I don’t know if it’s helped my leg but it’s certainly helped my mind
Please pass my congratulations on to Kieranfor his blog. My story in short. Almost 9 years ago after a fall in the workplace injuring a left ankle and right knee. My life changed in a moment. Now like Kieran I have the rehab routine down pat. It is great to hear that I am not alone and there are others who have to push themselves each day. Thank you for writing your blog which will give me another reference for inspiration when I start to question why am I doing this. I particularly like the fact that you also had to do your own research to ensure that your diet was right and that you have the right team around you to support and inspire you in a journey which at times is harder than an Olympic marathon. I have had to do the same research and now have a wonderful support team. Well done to you I only wish that there were more Hydrotheraphy pools accessible for people who are recovering from injury also being at reasonable rates as water theraphy as you have discovered assists in both support and pain managment. I would love to speak to you on a personal level. Thankyou for your blog I hope I am not the only one that you have inspired and motivated to continue their own journey. Regards Sue
Thanks for sharing that Sue. It sounds painful.
Hi Kieran,
Congrats on all your amazing achievements…love the Lake Eyre swim and – of course – the Augustus Gregory re-enactment – am waiting for Hard Country Hard Man to arrive. I, “touch wood”, have no skeletal breaks but are dead keen to become part of some of the remote walks/adventures. The Australia as a book analogy really resonates. I’ve done a fair bit of travelling and walking and am wondering if you are part of a group…I’m trying to think of an Australian female explorer to replicate…but can only think of Robyn Davidson….and camels aren’t my thing. Is it through the Australian Geographical Society or do you just do it all on your own?
Good luck with the healing…
Alison,
Thx for the post. At least you haven’t hurt yourself. i hope you never do.If you want to go on an excellent, guided, remote walk go to the Australian Desert Expeditions site. My friend Andrew Harper runs it. Alternatively, you can go with World Expeditions which do some excellent stuff. I’m doing the Jatbula next week with WE, the first time ever I’ve been on a guided trip. I’ve always done my own planning and expedition management. If you want to read about an Australian female pioneer try Freda du Faur. An amazing woman. Read Between Heaven and Earth, by Sally Irwin. A great book.
Regards Kieran
Good morning Kieran,
I heard you on Macca this morning, May 1. I am always interested in your adventures and where they take you. Not sure how to contact you but thought I would try this blog.
With these in mind, I thought I would tell you about my son’s passion for fueling athletes. He gave up a successful career as a Chemical Engineer to pursue this venture.
I understand that you are very busy but thought you might be interested in having a look at his product and website. He has two bars aptly “the art of suffering” energy bar and “witch eater” energy bar. Both have stories behind their names.
They are made in Australia from local and imported ingredients. It is a one man business where he is the baker as well.
Megabake is the product and you can access information on his website at http://www.megabakeenergybar.com.au
Hope you find the time to check out the website.
Kind regards,
Colleen Ledger. (Proud mum)
Colleen,
Thank you for listening to the story about our swim. Given how difficult it was to get to the starting line with all sorts of injuries and mishap, it proved to be an uneventful journey and comparatively easy. I did have a post swim problem with sleeping that night which is partly a result of being keyed up for the event and partly I suspect from the caffeine in the gels I was using. I think there needs to be more debate around the use of caffeine in these products, although I don’t understand the science involved. I have taken the liberty of forwarding the details to Ben McNamara as he like is very interested in products manufactured in Australia. I think from his reaction he probably hadn’t been exposed before to the issues of hydration and nutrition in long-distance marathon athletes. He may be prepared to talk to your son on air. I’ll see what I can do.
Regards
Kieran Kelly