Cath Cheatley - the story so far

Cath Cheatley showing an X-ray of the pins in her leg

Oct 26th, 11. NZ Road Champion Cath Cheatley shattered her hip and pelvis on October 1st and has had three operations since.

She would like to thank everyone for their great support.

"I shattered my right acetabulum and hip from the accident on October 1st. It was just one of those freak falls, no ones fault, bad luck really!" Cheatley shared with RoadCycling.co.nz

The 27 year old was just returning to full fitness following a crash in the US where she sustained with two broken bones in her pelvis.

This time she required three different surgeries.

"The first was in New Plymouth on the night of my accident. It was to insert pins into the top of my femur so my leg could be placed in traction to release the femur from the hip joint. They tried to do this under local but when my bones proved to be a bit too strong they knocked me out!

"My leg stayed in traction with up to 14kgs hanging over the bed until I was transferred to Middlemore for the big surgery. I was lucky to have the top pelvic surgeon in the country and his team - Dr Rob Orec - piece me back together with pins in a 6 hour plus epic training day. I had an epidural as well and this stayed in for a few days to help with comfort.  

"I then went back into surgery for a short time five days later to tweak the angle of a screw and was finally flown back to Wanganui Base Hospital to start the recovery process."

Cheatley says thanks

"I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone in the cycling community in New Zealand for the amazing support and kindness you have shown me since my accident during the Round Mountain cycle race.  

"The amount of cards, messages, phone calls, gifts, food and most importantly hospital visits has been overwhelming. Many have come from people I have never met and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all so very much for thinking of Dayle and I.

"It's certainly been a crazy few weeks and the road to recovery is going to be a tough one.

"I still can't decide which was more painful....my leg in traction for three days or being served stewed pears, three meals a day, for 12 days, from three different hospitals (no kidding!!).  

"I'm unsure what lies ahead but for now I will take each day as it comes and look forward to seeing everyone back out on the road soon."

Cath Cheatley