McKay’s recovery proving difficult
The road to recovery is proving difficult at times for injured Invercargill horse trainer Sally McKay.
Doctors believe a newlydiscovered bruise on her brain is the likely reason for her speech and face problems this week.
McKay is recovering at home after being badly injured in a trackwork mishap at Ascot Park on May 29.
Initial X-rays and CT scans confirmed McKay had a fractured skull, two bruises on the brain and a crushed ear canal and drum.
Her condition took a turn for the worst on Tuesday.
‘‘I was sitting at home and my face twisted when I talked . . . my speech got worse,’’ McKay said.
She was taken to Southland Hospital, where a CT scan revealed the third bruise. She was at the hospital for five hours.
‘‘I’ve got to get lots of sleep and rest and hopefully it [bruising] will settle down.’’
McKay said her face and speech deteriorated when she got tired.
‘‘It’s very noticeable when I smile.’’
She has reduced numbers in her stable and left the operating of it to senior employee Jasmine McMath.
‘‘I’ll be out of action for June and July . . . Jasmine’s very capable of running the stable,’’ McKay said.
Her only racehorse campaigning, Quintastic, will be retired to stud after competing in an amateur riders’ race at Wingatui on June 30. McMath and apprentice Sutvhire Toolooa are breaking in horses at present.
Another of McKay’s apprentices, Anna Sharpe, is working temporarily for Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan.