Musician and horse trainer Kari Vepsä has had to stay away from horses.
Kari Vepsä broke three bones in his metatarsal at the beginning of the year. Pete Anikari
The first year of musician and horseman Kari Vepsän, 74, took a nasty turn.
In January, Vepsä was hustling at his horse farm as usual, but suddenly tripped over a bucket left in the yard and broke three bones in his metatarsus in the accident.
– My foot went into the bucket and I flew to safety. Three bones across. Just a stupid fall, he laments.
– The leg is starting to heal. Now I already walk without a cane, but I haven’t gotten on the back of a horse yet, Vepsä commented on his condition.
So far, Vepsä has only been able to use his winter shoes or Reino slippers, as other shoes don’t fit on his feet yet.
– I was in bed with my feet up for six weeks. It was revenge for the guy who was going, because he hasn’t been able to move, says Vepsä.
However, he finds a silver lining in the timing of the accident. At the same time as the recovery, the Winter Olympics took place, so there was nothing left to watch on TV.
– I watched all the sports there from morning to night. I also got a motor bed in front of the TV. It was easy to put your feet up, he says.
When the bed rest was over, rehabilitation began. Rehabilitative movements include, for example, wiggling the toes. Movement is medicine, says Vepsä.
Also spring Kari Tapio 80 years – I am Finnish Vepsä has worn Reino slippers for the concerts of the party concert tour. Vepsä is happy that fortunately the choice was right to honor Kari Tapio. The late Iskelmä legend used to move with Reinot on his feet.
The longing for horses is strong. Vepsä plans to return to the saddle immediately, as long as he gets a suitable shoe.
– I have a racehorse in that yard. When I drive to it, it immediately looks to see if there is something to do, Vepsä says.
Slowly, he plans to return to educational work as well.
– People play wildly with horses and then damage happens. It’s a big animal, it needs to be trained.
Only winter shoes and Reino slippers fit Vepsä’s feet. Pete Anikari
“I wouldn’t be here”
Apart from the accident at the beginning of the year, Vepsä has been doing well. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in a routine blood test in 2011. Ten years later, cancer cells were found in his lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm.
The most recent findings are still treated and every three months Vepsä goes for cancer check-ups.
– Cancer treatments are going well and we are happy to go. Don’t get discouraged. It is and will remain in me, Vepsä says.
– It is good that we check. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to. I had regular blood tests and that’s where the cancer was found. Yes, I always say to girls, have you had a PSA test. 50 years full, go crazy. I have saved many when they have realized that they have to visit, Vepsä recommends.
The PSA test is used precisely in prostate cancer screening.
Vepsä receives hormone therapy at regular intervals, the side effects of which, according to him, are mild.
– Now I know what women’s menopause is. Sweat breaks out suddenly. It doesn’t ask, but comes suddenly, he describes.
Kari Vepsä doesn’t let cancer discourage her. Pete Anikari