Capt Dylan Conway used reading to escape pain and recover from near death surgeries
AN ARMY Captain confined to his bed for almost a year is encouraging people to read after the simple act saved his life while recovering from multiple life threatening surgeries.
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AN ARMY Captain confined to his bed for almost a year is encouraging people to read after the simple act saved his life while recovering from multiple life threatening surgeries.
Brothers N Books was created to inspire people going through hardship and trauma to share their stories by weaving it in with book reviews that highlight the lesson they learnt.
The unconventional approach to self healing was born from necessity, where books became an escape from pain for Captain Dylan Conway.
At the peak of his career and fitness, the infantry captain was preparing to transfer from Townsville to the special forces when his life changed suddenly.
In August 2019, Capt Conway felt a lump on his back after a gym session which was causing immense pressure on his spine and inability to walk.
Diagnosed with pilonidal sinus, Capt Conway underwent surgery to drain the fluid filled cyst, but it turned out to be the beginning of a torturous 12 months of recovery.
Two weeks after his initial surgery, another was required, then another, and another.
“The surgeon said that if we didn’t do the emergency surgery that the stitches would have just exploded and I probably would have died in a puddle of blood,” he said.
“I was so cautious after that not wanting to do anything.”
Bedridden at home with a drain from his wound, Capt Conway knew the months ahead would test him physically and mentally but it was in a moment of deep despair he made it his mission to read as many books as possible and escape pain through the stories playing out on paper.
“Throughout this experience, I had at least 20 different staph infections and because I was having a surgery every six weeks on average, it got to the point where I just wouldn’t talk to my friends,” he said.
“I thought that I had purpose in my life before but I used to base that on extrinsic things and once everything was taken away from me – my physical exercise, being able to go outside, being able to socialise – that’s when I realised that I shouldn’t put my purpose into extrinsic things.
“I should look for purpose within myself.
“I have realised that if you can overcome something in your head, if you can overcome stress and anxiety into regret in your head, then you can do anything physical.”
Brothers N Books has already gained national recognition, with celebrities and book authors jumping on board to promote it.
Comedian, TV star and radio host Merrick Watts shared his experience as a contender on Channel 7’s SAS Australia through a book review of The Commando Way, by Bram Connolly.
“I have formed habits from elements in the book that have assisted in my resilience to adversity,” the book review read.
“Composure under pressure. Integrity of actions regardless of popularity. What true leadership looks like.”
Bram Connolly is a decorated former Special Forces officer with 20 years of military experience, an author and host of The Warrior U Podcast.
To get involved, search Brothers N Books on Instagram and Facebook.
Originally published as Capt Dylan Conway used reading to escape pain and recover from near death surgeries
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