The trotting trainer’s hard fight: “I’m still alive”
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Updated 2026-03-11 20.06 | Published 2026-03-10 08.43
Micael Melander has just undergone a very extensive operation. Now a long recovery and sick leave await. ” sizes=”(min-width: 1300px) 662px, (min-width: 1180px) 50vw, (min-width: 768px) 65vw, 100vw” loading=”eager” fetchpriority=”high” src=”aspect-ratio:1341 / 874″/>The trotting trainer Micael Melander, 55, was operated on for six hours at Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg.
Now he has a new kidney and pancreas.
– I am completely exhausted, he tells Trav365 from the hospital bed.
55-year-old trotting trainer and driver Micael Melander has been on the waiting list for an extensive operation.
At the end of last week, the news finally came that the major operation had been booked.
Melander has been diabetic for 40 years, which has led to several sequelae.
“The kidney was completely exhausted”
This summer, kidney function was down to just eight to ten percent of its capacity. Then the decision was made that Micael would receive a donated kidney.
– The kidney was completely exhausted and something had to be done about it. It only had eight to ten percent function left. Then I got an offer to also put in a new pancreas, which means that I don’t have diabetes that I’ve had for 40 years, which is the root cause of everything, he tells Trav365.
During the weekend, Micael Melander underwent surgery at the Sahlgrenska hospital in Gothenburg. On his Facebook page, he says the following:
”A tough operation lasting over 6 hours. The body completely exhausted afterwards. All values look good, been on my feet and went for a short walk. This is going to be great!!!”, he writes.
“The doctors are satisfied”
When Trav365 reaches Melander from the hospital bed, it is a dazed but hopeful trotting trainer who looks to the future with confidence.
– The way I feel right now, it’s like a bag of skates in Baghdad. It is tiring for the body when you are subjected to an operation like this. They opened the stomach and inserted two new organs and connected them to the system, he says and continues:
– The first thing was to wake up and then I thought: “I’m still alive”. There are always risks so it was nice. Then you are satisfied when the doctors are satisfied with the values. I am completely exhausted, but still significantly more energetic today than the first day after the operation. I’m not so worried, but instead look forward.
What do the doctors say about the future?
– They say it will take two, three months for the stomach and body to cope. You have to exercise a lot when they have opened the abdomen. As long as I can be healthy, I will come back. In ten to 14 days I hope to be able to go home.
“Deteriorated quality of life”
Are you in pain?
– A spinal anesthetic is applied to relieve the pain in the operation area. It helps a lot.
Professional trainer Micael Melander is based at Dannero, just outside Kramfors. Recently, due to the health problems, he has had to cut back on the competition.
He feels great gratitude for having finally completed the major operation.
– Last summer, it was concluded that this had to be tackled. I became tired, nauseous and had a reduced quality of life. Then an investigation began with a lot of checks to see if you can handle such an operation. Since the beginning of January, I have been on a waiting list.
“Could have been a vegetable”
He continues:
When we were on our way home from Umåker, they got in touch and said they had two organs for me. Then it was time to jump on the flight the next morning. Lately, I’ve always had a packed bag with me to be able to rush headlong into surgery.
Two years ago, Micael was involved in a serious accident on the Bollnästravet.
– I had four bleeds on the brain then. It took a toll on me. But it’s just to thank them up there. I might as well have been a vegetable. Today I don’t feel any buts, but after the first six months it was incredibly tough.
“Great support in the back”
Finally, Micke would like to say a big thank you for all the support he received after his major operation.
– It is very grateful that so many comrades, friends from all over Sweden and the Nordic countries got in touch. Great support in the back. I am so grateful and safe and know that everything works at home on the farm to 110 percent with my partner Malin and the staff.
