Column - Swordy - Out of Order
By TMX Archives on 8th Jun 06
Swordy goes down hard in Germany and busts himself up, forcing an early end to his '06 season
Not good news this month - as some of you should know I smashed my ankle up pretty good at the German GP! The weekend before I had a couple of solid second place finishes at Matchams Park so things were looking good - but in MX you never know what's just around the corner.
So one week later I found myself staring at the walls of a German hospital as I woke up from a general anaesthetic. I didn't really know what day it was but by my side were my wonderful fiance Jodie and my dad who had been waiting for me to come round.
I looked down and saw this metal cage with pins sticking in my leg and foot and knew it wasn't good news. I didn't know whether I was going to walk again, never mind race again and that was a very scary feeling - then they told me I'd also broke my back. The communication in the hospital wasn't good as they didn't speak English so everything sounded very blunt with no explanation of what they were going to do to fix me up.
I arranged an immediate transfer to a hospital in Belgium where I was in the good hands of Dr Claus who a lot of the top GP riders use. I had x-rays and scans but they couldn't operate because the swelling was so bad. I found out that I've broke my tibia and fibula just above the ankle joint and smashed my heel to pieces. I also found out that my broken back was an old injury that I didn't know about and I'm very pleased to say that it's fine!
I stayed in hospital for a week but they still couldn't operate because of the swelling. I was getting very down because of the pain but luckily I had Jodie with me to keep me positive.
The doc decided to let me go home for a week while the swelling reduced before operating. I still had the external fixture on but it was great to be home even if it was for just a week. We then drove back out and I was operated on the same day. They fixed the tib and fib with plates and screws but couldn't do anything about the heel because it would be too much stress on the foot in one hit so I'm going back out in three weeks.
A had some good and bad news after the op. The good news was that the foot was in perfect position and the fractures were straight - the bad news was that I had an infection. All kinds of stuff was going through my head, the worst being that I could lose my foot. I was very sick for a few days but then the antibiotics kicked in and things started to improve - although I had to stay in for a full week to make sure the drugs flushed the infection out.
I've had great support from my team - especially my mechanic Luka and Jan the team manager. They came to see me several times and helped keep my spirits up. Other people who visited me included Tom and Lisa Church, Tyla Rattray, Manuel Priem, Lewis Gregory, Willy and Gunter from Kayaba, Angela and Renee, Big Dave and Fabio from CAS Honda and Josh Coppins.
Josh actually came a few times and it was good to talk to him because he was in a similar position - if not worse - a few years ago. I have to thank all these people who visited and everyone who's left messages on my website. It's great to know I have so much support!
I'm currently resting up at home and my leg's in a half-cast so I can take it off every now and again. I've got exercises to do and already have some movement in my foot which is good. It's going to be some months before I throw my leg over a bike again but it will give me time to think, learn from others and come back a stronger Stephen Sword in 2007.
I'll probably go to watch the British GP to see the fans and to be a fan for the day myself. Apart from that I will have World Cup fever watching all of the matches. Poor Jodie is having to do everything at the moment - right now she's out there mowing the lawn - but I'm sure I can make it up to her with a few shopping sprees.
Okay, I'm going to leave you with a little motivational message this month. Anyone out there who's struggling to get out of bed early in the morning to go training just think of me - I'd kill just to be able to go for a run or to ride my bike!