Six days post-surgery and I’m happy to report: I’m feeling pretty good.
Actually — better than pretty good.
There’s very little pain. I’m not taking any heavy-duty drugs. I only occasionally need a couple of Panadol to help me sleep. Considering someone drilled three decent-sized screws into my femur less than a week ago, I’ll take that as a win.
Sleeping is probably the trickiest part at the moment. Lying flat isn’t all that comfortable, so I’ve been propping myself up on a million pillows. I’m quietly hoping that when I arrive in Italy for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games there’s a nice recliner tucked away somewhere in the athlete village that I can claim as my throne. If anyone from team logistics is reading this — consider it an official request.
Until Saturday, I’m in Aspen staying with great friends, Jason and Shelley. Old friends: the kind of friends who knew me before I was being held together by titanium. Jason and I go way back — we worked together on the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, which somehow doesn’t feel like 26 years ago. Time flies when you’re ageing disgracefully!!
It’s been brilliant having company: recovery can get pretty lonely if you let it. Being able to sit on the couch, watch the Winter Games, talk sport, laugh at the brilliance and the absurdity of it all — that’s been therapy in itself. The distraction, the encouragement, the normality of it. I’m hugely grateful.
I’ve also managed to get to the gym a couple of times here in Aspen. Nothing dramatic — just light workouts. Upper body, core, movement. The goal right now is maintenance. Strength and fitness are hard-earned, and I don’t plan on donating mine to inactivity. Every little bit counts when you’re trying to get yourself to a start gate in Cortina in just two weeks.
This weekend I’ve got an online meeting with the Paralympic medical team to map out the path forward — how I heal quickly, safely and intelligently. It’s a balancing act: respect the injury, but don’t surrender momentum.
Then on Tuesday I head back to Denver for a follow-up with my surgeon at Denver Health. If I get the all-clear to fly, I’ll be on a plane to Italy that very same day. No mucking around. Straight into the next phase.
There’s something about having a timeline that sharpens the focus.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s sent messages, commented on posts, or reached out since my crash. The positivity has been overwhelming. It genuinely lifts me on the flat days and steadies me on the wobbly ones. I read more of them than you probably realise.
And to my sponsors — particularly Canberra Airport and Thredbo Resort — thank you. Your support makes this comeback possible. I wouldn’t be here without you.
Six days down. Feeling strong. Feeling supported. Feeling determined.
Milto