skutsch

OverMyHead wrote: How goes it Steve?

Very Timely Dave! I went to the Doc today.

So here is the update: "The healing is going Great" (Doc Rao's assessment). He moved me out of the Minerva brace and into an Aspen brace. The Aspen is less restrictive as it loses the chest and back plate, looks more like your standard neck brace. I can take it off for showers, which I decided meant I could get a hair cut so we went direct from the doctor office to a good friend who is a hairdresser for a VERY carefully planned haircut, man did that feel good to get rid of 3 months of hair...

We are still month to month on returning to driving, so Carmen (Mrs. skutsch) was not too excited about that. We also learned that I would NOT be receiving any therapy and that he anticipates 18 to 24 months of restricted activity. I suspect a lot of that time will be in the brace. He does not want me to try and increase range of motion at all, and just let my neck loosen up naturally with LIMITED use. That was a pretty eye opening indicator as to how bad the injury was and how fragile my neck is and still will be. Carmen, who is an Occupational Therapist, said that is really unusual and indicates that my neck is really F'd up, that was a professional opinion...

So the Doc and I also had a real heart to heart about the definitions and boundaries around "normal activity" when I am cleared to return to those types of things. Water skiing is off the table, way off. I may be able to convince him that surfing is okay, but he was resistive to that. Biking and Swimming are preferable activities. Light weight training might be okay. Snowmobiling is OUT. He also said definitely no running. I should be able to return to flying once I get some range of motion back. Pretty clear that anything that puts me at a risk of fall, or is repetitive pounding is a big No No.

So good to now know what the limits will be when I get there. I would be lying if I didn't say I was a little bit disappointed and I am. I know and realize that it could be a hell of a lot worse. I thank the Lord everyday for the blessings he has given me. I know I am incredibly lucky to be walking around. There is no way ANYONE is going to try and keep me out of a boat, so I look forward to being the driver for anyone, and I especially want to keep teaching anybody that wants to try, how to ski.

So I have a really nice 06 Arctic Cat Crossfire 700 for sale if anyone is interested, the monies from that sale will probably get set a side for a project boat of some kind. Alan's already done the the last available one of a kind CC runabout project, maybe I will have to find a Miamian to restore - HA! Always wanted to build Glen-L Sherwood Queen which is a small 15' Tug/Launch, thought it would be a cool little putt putt to run around the lake after no wake hours, maybe I will go that route.

Back to the Doc in another month, hope to get the release to drive. Thanks again for all the support and prayers. God Bless!!!

Steve, Thanks for the update. It sounds like you are progressing nicely (answered prayers). I think it is a little early to be pressing your Doc about long term outcomes. As you know you are blessed just to be walking right now. I see why your doc wants to keep you grounded while you heal, after all he knows what you are naturally inclined to do in your spare time. Filling your heads with thoughts of what you will do some day would likely lead to you overdoing it now, which could be disastrous. Remember how he has already adjusted timelines and expectations and assume that will continue. I expect the future activities and limitations you describe are the worst case scenario. Hang in there, be patient, and enjoy the freedom of the new lesser cervical brace.

Dave

Dahhhhhhhhhhhh it's only a flesh wound!

Thanks for the update bro. What about wearing a barefooters neck brace type of support whilst you surf? Guess the doc wasn't privy to that.

I agree with Hollywood, biking seems much riskier than trick skiing or surfing.

Glad to hear you're making progress tho!!!

Pete - Thanks a ton, all the prayers have been the secret to the successful recovery!

Dave - I hope your right, but if not I am good with what ever activities I am allowed to return to, it was a bit shocking to understand the timetable is likely 2 years, that was unexpected...

David - you are not kidding on the driving, although I am not sure if it's me or my wife who is more anxious to get me driving, I am NOT a good passenger. Very little pain, more tweaks here and there when I make unusual movements, most of the time its getting in and out of bed. The last two days have brought a lot more muscle pain in the shoulders and shoulder blades. I think those muscles are now having to activate to stablize things that the old brace kept locked in, so that has been annoying, but I feel like that is good pain.

Tim - I think I will be wearing those barefoot neck braces for a LOT of activites going forward, you and I are on the same page!

Kev - every time I am in the barn, I see the pink boat. I have been scheming on a plan... Watch out! Also I seriously want to come down and do some fiberglass work on the Marti, never done that and I think it would be a good skill.

Chris - yeah, I don't get the biking thing either, mentioned this to my wife, and she said - yeah doc doesn't understand your idea of biking is flying through the woods at 20 mph... Will why not, what else would he think???

ChrisQ - can't wait to get behind the wheel again in the boat, I think summer will be good, maybe even a late winter trip down south if I can swing it. I know Eddie and Jbear will let me drive for them, and they have that all the time glass water, so I don't have to worry about the bouncing from the waves, sounds like perfect therapy (mental if nothing else!)

Steve, I'm glad you're doing so well. Unbelievable story. I had a room mate that broke his neck and was in a halo. Very serious situation, but he did fully recover. Keep getting better!

skutsch wrote: can't wait to get behind the wheel again in the boat, I think summer will be good, maybe even a late winter trip down south if I can swing it. I know Eddie and Jbear will let me drive for them, and they have that all the time glass water, so I don't have to worry about the bouncing from the waves, sounds like perfect therapy (mental if nothing else!)

and no snow here...so plan on coming down here...bring your Dad.



john

holy cow...a Randy_in_Ohio sighting...

john

skutsch wrote:    I think of all you folks a lot, looking forward to the next Chicago Beers outing, or Green Lake reunion, knowing there are so many other get together's I want to attend; White Lake, The Benjamins, St. John River Run,

Uhhh....am I missing something here.....



john

jbear wrote: skutsch wrote:    I think of all you folks a lot, looking forward to the next Chicago Beers outing, or Green Lake reunion, knowing there are so many other get together's I want to attend; White Lake, The Benjamins, St. John River Run, Uhhh....am I missing something here..... john

Hoping to get to all of these soon, maybe one a year should be a goal. Really all depends on the kids activities...

skutsch wrote: jbear wrote: skutsch wrote:    I think of all you folks a lot, looking forward to the next Chicago Beers outing, or Green Lake reunion, knowing there are so many other get together's I want to attend; White Lake, The Benjamins, St. John River Run, Uhhh....am I missing something here..... john Hoping to get to all of these soon, maybe one a year should be a goal. Really all depends on the kids activities...

somehow missed "Florida..driving for Eddie & John" on this list...where are those reading glasses?

john

Well, I had my 4 month post accident follow up last Monday. All reports were good. This was the first time I could actually visually see on the x-rays where the fused vertebrae looked to be growing bone (there's a softball for someone) and increasing bone density (my doc has been saying all along that it was progressing, but this was the first time I could notice a difference). So I was pretty excited about that!

Doc wants me to start going for short periods of time with out the brace, while you would think that I would be excited about that, to be perfectly honest it scares me to death. As uncomfortable as these things look, they are not that bad and provide an unbelievable amount of security. So I will be working on that, probably more of a mental challenge then anything. The last few nights I sat on the couch without the brace and I am getting more comfortable with the idea.

I also am cleared to start driving again. I do have to spend the next couple of weeks re-learning that process. I really can't turn my head, so I have to learn to check mirrors and blind spots by turning my entire body. The doc put my wife (an OT) in charge of signing off on my safety awareness. I have been out a couple of times on the neighborhood streets with her and it is going well. I broke the rules and drove solo to the grocery store last night - first time I have gone anywhere alone for over 4 months - a BIG step!

So progressing, it will be slow - it takes over a year for a bone to heal 100%, so I plan on giving it all that time, plus more to grow new bone. I get the sense the doc wants me to rely less and less on the brace, I am not so sure I agree but will follow his lead. Looking forward to a great Christmas with friends and family, I wish the same for all of you. I want to thank you all again for you prayers and support - couldn't have done this without you. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Glad to hear it Steve- keep healing up!

Has to be nice to be out on your own, if even for a little bit. Very good steps forward. Best wishes for a continued recovery and a very happy 2015!

Great news Steve a Chistmas gift for sure