Reinsman Chris Svanosio returns to the sulky on Saturday night following a three-month battle with a cerebrospinal fluid leak, also known as CSF leak.
Svanosio, 34, spent six weeks in Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital and another six weeks laid up in Bendigo battling ongoing severe headaches, neck and shoulder pain and vomiting.
“It was like nothing I’d ever experienced before,” Svanosio said of the pain. “It was because there was no fluid around my brain.”
The initial symptoms attacked Svanosio at a Caduceus Club function in February and escalated quickly.
The popular horseman, who has 269 wins to his name in the sulky, underwent neurosurgery in late February before several rounds of blood patch treatment, where Svanosio had blood taken and injected into his spinal cord.
“In the end they must have injected the blood into the right spot (in mid-March) because I could stand up and was feeling virtually all right,” Svanosio said.
“They sent me home and told me to go easy.”
Svanosio is back in Terang, where he works with trainer Matthew Craven, and returns to race driving on Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Among Svanosio’s three drives is exciting trotting mare Aldebaran Deebee, owned by father Peter, in the Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan Trot.
“Matty’s done a great job with her while I’ve been sick. There are a couple of nice races ahead for her with the Sires (Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series) and the Bacardi Lindy (June 3),” he said.
Svanosio will also take the reins aboard Owen Martin-trained Hellovaway in the Cougar Bourbon Pace and Hinault for Craven in the second heat of the Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan Trot.
While he was sidelined Svanosio says he was inundated with well-wishes.
“I’ve had people ringing me up and sending me messages, taking the time to send cards, that’s been really great. I couldn’t believe the amount of people. It’s amazing how many people have taken time out to get in touch and wish me well,” he said.
And being back at work is a great feeling.
“(I’m) Loving it … It really makes you appreciate it. This morning I was up early and worked 22 (horses).
“Everything just seems really good at the moment. There’s no guarantee it won’t flare up again but the doctors are hopeful they’ve solved it.”
Svanosio now has something in common with basketball star player/coach Steve Kerr and Hollywood superstar George Clooney, who have both overcome CSF leak.
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