Retired trainer Les Ross on the recovery to recovery after cancer surgery

Recently retired trainer Les Ross says he was ‘terrified’ in the lead-up to having his prostate surgically removed, but is recovering well from the four-hour operation.

Recently retired Queensland trainer Les Ross, pictured when he was in hospital last week for a four-hour operation to have his prostate removed. Picture: Courtesy Les Ross.

Recently retired trainer Les Ross, the popular ‘Mishani man’, admits he was terrified having to spend the start of the new racing season in hospital undergoing a four-hour operation to have his prostate removed.

Queenslander Ross, renowned as being the trainer OF the ‘Mishani’ horses owned by colourful owner Mike Crooks, handed in his training license to confront one of the biggest fights of his life, a prostate cancer diagnosis.

But after four days in hospital and now without his prostate, the great news is Ross was discharged on Saturday and has been told his health prognosis is good.

“I was absolutely terrified before I went into hospital, I should have had the operation a while ago but I was so scared that I kept putting it off,” Ross said.

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“It turned out that I probably had nothing to worry about.

“I’ve had a few ordinary days, but I’m better today than I was yesterday.

“I’ve had a good recovery, so far, and the medical specialists have really been looking after me.

“They seem quite confident that I will be OK.

“I will have to go back in six months’ time to get my PSA (a blood test to screen for prostate cancer) done and we will see what happens then.

Recently retired Brisbane trainer Les Ross, pictured when he was in hospital last week for a four-hour operation to have his prostate removed. Picture: Les Ross

“I obviously don’t want the cancer to spread elsewhere or get into another organ.”

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Ross spent many years training horses for Crooks, but new trainer Donna Stanbridge has now taken over the ‘Mishani’ team.

Ross is adamant he has no plans to return to training in the next 12 months, although won’t entirely rule it out in the longer term.

“When I’m feeling better in a few months, I want to get in my Winnebago and go wherever the breeze takes me,” Ross said.

“There are four 60th’s (birthday parties) and a 70th I want to go to between now and Christmas.

“I will also keep busy with my karaoke singing and I’m really looking forward to doing some more of that.”

Originally published as Retired trainer Les Ross on the recovery to recovery after cancer surgery