skutsch

Morfoot wrote: Thanks for the update bro. Chin up ....Oh wait.... it already is!

Haha, awesome!

Keep up the good work Steve! Great to hear you're recovering well.

Ok guys, time for another update. Had a follow up visit on Monday (it's been six weeks already). So it appears that the healing continues, although it is difficult to see a lot of progress from the x-rays. For the second time, he indicated a 3 month window instead of his original assessment of 6 months so that is positive, but he also warned that it is a wait and see assessment. I go back in 6 weeks. Oh, my doctor came in and now addresses me as "The Indestructible Man" I thought that was pretty funny - he is such an awesome doc!

I did get copies of all my films, so here are some before and after shots. I probably won't leave these up for a real long time.

This first picture is a CAT scan, it shows one of the 3 or 4 fractures that I had on a number of vertebrae.


Remember this is a CAT scan so it represents slices or cross sections of the body. So this also illustrates how I was also able to displace the vertebrae, the fracture is to one of the facets on the spine. These facets act to hold the vertebrae stacked in place. Essentially I sheared these facets off, which allowed the vertebrae to become displaced as shown in this next slice (CAT scan again). This is probably the worst displacement, it is approximately 40% displaced - This is where the Docs, all go, "we can't figure out how you survived this (Miracle 1), let alone walking around (Miracle 2)"


This also is a pretty good visualization of how screwed up my spine was. There should be a little bit of a curve here, but nothing like what you see.

Finally some shots of the post operative work. You can see the rods and screws they have installed to keep everything stable until the bone grows back. Once the bone grows back all those vertebrae will be fused essentially creating a super vertebrae, from T1 to C5.


And this is a front view:


So thats the update, I probably won't leave these pics up here, maybe a week or two. Anyway continuing to get stronger every day. Not much pain anymore, just discomfort from the brace, pressure points from where it hits the head when sleeping, stiff neck, etc, that kind of stuff.

Oh, the gloves are off on the jokes, so have it. Morfoot started it and I have seen a few others. Heck thats part of the fun, still chuckling from "The indestructible man" comment. So lets here 'em! Thanks again for all the support!

Man Steve, that's a tough break.   Keep up the healing! sounds like you're on the right track.

Steve, I missed this completely, haven't been on as much lately. Best of luck with the recovery, you'll continue to be ahead of schedule all the way!

And I want to learn to barefoot at 52 ...........

jbear wrote: dang computers. john

F12 John, always hit F12

Steve, glad things are ahead of schedule, all the best on an even speedier than expected recovery. At this pace maybe they'll be wrong about your skiing too.

75 Tique wrote: Just have to recollect here, your 247 LLBD attempts in the frigid water last fall. Man, I admire your perseverence.

had to laugh at this one Larry...

sure glad to hear that it is moving along as smooth as possible

now about that "itch I just can't reach"....where?



john

Great news Steve.

Keep healing

Definitely echo Larry's sentiments!! Damn, cannot believe how serious it turned out to be and SO happy for you and the family everything is going to be OK. Another reminder of just how fragile life can be!!

If you need any help with whatever let me know, not sure if a plan is in place to get your boat cleaned up, winterized and ready for hibernation, certainly be glad to assist there as well

Take Care and hope to see you soon Steve!!

Thanks for the update, Steve. Glad things are coming along. It's scary to think how much damage can be done on a relatively normal forward BF fall. Certainly has to make one think twice. Sadly, I don't have enough sense to slow down, but I think of you every time I suit up, put on my neck brace and before I try anything of other than normal risk. Hopefully that little bit of extra caution will make the difference some day.

Just have to recollect here, your 247 LLBD attempts in the frigid water last fall. Man, I admire your perseverence.

Guess, it is time for another update. I had my first follow up visit last week. First of all he indicated that I am healing very well. He even gave me a little bit of hope that I could potentially be out of the brace in 3 more months, instead of his initial assessment of 6 months. Trying not to get excited, but that would be aweseome.

He also reviewed the before and after films. We looked at his handy work first, I now have 2 titanium rods on the left and right side of the back of my spine that span 5 vertebrae (C5 to T2). These rods attach to 4 vertebrae with 4 screws of varying lengths per each rod. The interesting thing I found was that all this hardware will provide little "strength" long term but are only there for stabilization while the bone graphs that were added grow and heal. The bone graphs is what will provide the strength long term.

Then he showed us the before pictures. I have to say, I almost got sick. You could see right away how mangled my spine was. EVERYTHING was out of place. One of my vertebrae was displaced by 40% or more (that doesn't leave a lot room for the ol spinal cord). My wife and I were trying to figure out how I managed to displace all those vertebrae as by design the facets pretty much lock them in place. To put it simply, I sheared the facets right off. All VERY scary pictures to look at.

They also took the stitches or staples, I guess, out and my incision was completely healed (one less thing to have to mess with). Doctor told me I "needed" to get back to work as that (keyboarding) would be good therapy for the loss of strength due to nerve damage (he expects that will be a full recovery). He wants me walking, and has given me a few exercises to keep the shoulders somewhat flexible.

So again, I can't thank everyone enough for all the prayers and thoughts. It has HELPED so much. I have very little pain, just an occasional zinger from the back - I was told to expect those. Of course it always itches right where you can't reach it - so that is annoying. It will be another four weeks til I go back again, so won't have much to update til then. Won't be able to drive til the brace come off, so if your up near SE Wisconsin let me know, would love to have you stop by. THANKS AGAIN!!!

Steve,

Your fast recovery is in my families prayers.

Donald

just went thru here and can't believe I hadn't posted...both to let you know we are thinking of you here and to get the updates.

start planning a little winter trip...get outa the snow and since me and Eddie ski year-round..we could always use another driver. Bring Dad.



john

Steve, not sure how I missed this earlier on. Certainly we wish you nothing but the best in your recovery.

Al the best,

Greg

Gary S wrote: ...we could make it a Chicago Beers event!

That'd be more of a winner than a Chicago Bears event!

Glad to hear you're coming along well, Steve.

Great to hear Steve,glad you have a positive outlook. Need help winterizing the boat just holler we could make it a Chicago Beers event!