I had my maiden voyage last weekend with crutches on a flight to Appleton, WI to do “A Prairie Home Companion” at their beautiful Performing Arts Center. My foot responded by swelling like a Johnsonville Brat with 5 fat sausage toes attached. fortunately we stayed at the boutique Copperleaf Hotel. They have a wonderful spa in the building so I had a massage, which did wonders. The 5pm broadcast show was great and Garrison did a second non-broadcast show at 8:30pm. We finished at 11:20pm so the in-room whirlpool tub was a lifesaver the next morning before checkout.
Amy Carlson Gustafson, a writer for The St. Paul Pioneer Press was kind enough to note my return to work in her “Hot Dish” column.
WCCO’s Tim Russell back on air
It’s been six weeks since listeners got their entertainment updates from WCCO radio’s Tim Russell. Blame it on the ice. Last month, Russell took a nasty spill on a patch of ice while taking out the garbage. Not only did he dislocate his left foot, but he also broke two (!) bones in his ankle. It was painful just listening to him describe the incident. As if that wasn’t enough, the ankle surgery preceded prostrate surgery that he underwent earlier this month. (You can read more about his various health issues on his blog.) While he was out recovering, the station was sans an entertainment editor and “Prairie Home Companion” had to do three shows without one of its regulars. Well, we’re happy to report that this week Russell is back behind the mic at WCCO and will be at the “PHC” show in Appleton, Wis., this weekend. So how did Russell survive weeks of bed rest? “American Idol,” “Dancing With the Stars” and other television shows helped. “I watched Gordon Ramsay’s ‘The F-Word.’ They run that thing constantly on BBC America and his “Kitchen Nightmares,” too. I had never seen Gordon Ramsay before so it’s a revelation,” Russell joked. Check out this amusing video of Russell navigating the WCCO studios with the aid of his “knee walker.”
Posted by Amy Carlson Gustafson in the Pioneer Press on March 24, 2009
Dave Lee is WCCO radio’s new cinematic auteur, he created this Oscar worthy live action short demonstrating my new skills with the “Knee-Walker”. Cue Darth Vader:”Luke Knee-Walker, I am your father.”
Today was my first day back to work as Entertainment Editor at WCCO Radio. I’m still not comfortable trying to drive, so Judy had to endure the 4 am wake-up to drive me to work. I used my “knee-walker”
Debbie Reynolds
to scoot around since I’m still Non-weight bearing on my broken ankle. I had a few technical issues trying to get back in the groove, but it felt comfortable after about an hour or so.The mail slot was full but it was lovely to see all the get well cards-thanks to all of you who sent those the kind and caring sentiments. More physical therapy this afternoon, then followup visits with the Urologist and Orthopedic surgeon later this week.Tuesday morning I’ll be chatting with Debbie Reynolds, hope you’ll tune in.
I had hoped to be with you Liiiiive! ( OK, I’m hooked on “Dancing with the Stars”) on WCCO, Monday the 16th, and this weekend on “A Prairie Home Companion” at the State Theater In Minneapolis, but when I made the announcement about returning to work one week after TURP prostate surgery, my Urologist said not so fast, I need to go back on the 23rd at the earliest, so that’s the new plan. I’m glad he did because, as I’m learning, it does take a while to heal those innards.
I’m going to have to miss another week on “A Prairie Home Companion” and that kills me, but they are bringing in Fred Newman so how can you go wrong with two Sound Effects guys. I hope Garrison arranges another “Sound Off” between Frad and Tom Keith.
I did have my first meaningful physical therapy session yesterday, and my range of motion with my broken ankle is coming along although my foot turns dark purple when I put it toward the floor. The therapist says that once the muscles learn how to fire up the blood should learn how to pump out of that foot again. It was a shock to be out of the house in 70 degree weather, I loved it. Two more weeks before any weight bearing on that foot, but I’ll be back on WCCO’s “Morning News with Dave Lee” doing entertainment news next and on Prairie Home Companion in Appleton,WI on the 28th.
Monday, March 9th, I had prostate surgery. The February 9th ankle surgery triggered a urine retention crisis that resulted in the Urologist recommendation that the time had come to deal with my BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia). They had hoped to do a Laser procedure that normally takes around 50 minutes, but it wasn’t up to the task so the surgeon decided to revert to the TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) procedure that carves out the prostate tissue rather than vaporizing it. An hour and a half later, he took out 30 grams of tissue, which is about twice what they usually remove. This means a longer recovery with continued light bleeding and other issues that may last 8 weeks or longer. I had to stay in the Hospital overnight to monitor bleeding. I had some wicked spasms; the nurse said “that’s as close to a menstrual cramp as you’re going to get” (ladies, my condolences). They were terrific at flushing the clots out and making me more comfortable. I found an informative website, http://users.isp.com/keoni/turp/Whatis.html, full of information and personal experiences with TURP. I will get the requisite Foley Catheter removed on Friday and I’m hoping for the best. Meanwhile my broken ankle continues to heal. I have two more weeks of non-weight bearing crutch work. I’ll be visiting the Physical Therapist for weeks and they say 6 months from now my ankle should be back to normal. Here’s hoping. Next time someone says, “break a leg” before a performance I may request a new phrase. A simple “Good Luck!” will do just fine.
To Book or Audition:
Hire nationally recognized voice talent, Tim Russell and Sue Scott, by contacting Amy Oppegaard of Wehmann Models and Talent, Inc. in Minneapolis at 612.333.6393.
LA representation: Contact Wes Stevens of VOX at 323.655.8699.
