skutsch

WOW, glad to hear your ok Steve! I can't wait to get an opportunity to meet you Chicago/Milwaukee guys when I get a chance. I'll use a driver every chance I can and sounds like I could learn a lot too.

hope its a fast and restful recovery for you!

Steve, great to hear your now safe and recovering.

Steve, glad to hear you are doing the best you possibly can considering the circumstances. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery. Try not to beat yourself up over your decision to ski, could have happened any time or anywhere.

Although I was there I was not in the same boat. It is a miracle that Steve should come out a okay. As he said, nearly everything was done wrong for whatever reason. Climbing in the boat, taking off gear, climbing out of boat, getting in car and driving himself to the hospital. I guess it is hard to know the severity of the injury at the time unless there is a definitive broken bone or blood, it is also hard to determine the best action at the time.

GET WELL STEVE, I'll try to make it out for a visit soon.

PLBC wrote: Climbing in the boat, taking off gear, climbing out of boat, getting in car and driving himself to the hospital.

Nahhhhhhhhh...."It's only a flesh wound!"

M3Fan wrote: Sometimes it takes quite a while for pain to set in after a major injury, apparently.

Often there is an adrenaline rush from the event that can mask the pain and cloud the judgement. As a former paramedic I will confer that Steve did a few things that were not in his best interests. No doubt he had angels watching over him. Thank you angels!

Ouch, sorry to hear about your injuries. Hope you have a full and speedy recovery!

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!

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.

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

Al the best,

Greg

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,

Your fast recovery is in my families prayers.

Donald

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!!!

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.

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!!

Great news Steve.

Keep healing