Spencer is out of surgery. It lasted a total of 8 hours. They had to collapse his left lung to access his spine anteriorly. The neurosurgeon said that it is a miracle that he is not paralyzed. When they removed the bone fragments that were intruding into the spinal canal, they saw that the dura mater had scratches and if it were a mm closer he would be paralyzed. Because this irritation occurred, they needed to place a spinal fluid drain that comes out of his back and will be in there for at least 4-5 days.
The doctors also found a fracture in the C5 cervical vertebrae. They will wait until he can begin to sit more vertically so they can take some better x-rays. He is in good spirits. You know Spence is a chronic optimist and this will serve him well in the days to come.
He is in critical condition in the SICU and we are not out of the woods yet but we have been afforded a great gift in all of this and he will mend in time. Our family is all here together and we are strong and so is he.
Thanks to everyone for your good wishes, we’re very grateful! We’ve been reading all the texts and Facebook messages to him and he is loving it.
Bonus: Get a text message when we post an update about Spencer. Text “Follow CheckOnSpencer” to 40404
Spencer,
Jared here. I’ve got to say, reading about your injuries gives me the heeby jeebies. And to think, I thought I had a sports hernia.
My first thought after hearing that you were out of surgery was, I should go visit him. My second thought was, I should bring some chocolate (mainly as a reason to buy a second bar for myself). My third thought was, actually he’d probably prefer tacos from Banditos.
And then that got me thinking about when we went to Banditos after work. It got me thinking about how you said you wanted to travel, and see the world, and that you wanted to do a study abroad program in…London? maybe.
Well, I know it’s a long ways off, and you’ve a challenging road ahead, but I hope you’ll keep that dream, and come up with some more dreams to push yourself.
I’m glad to know you’re smiling. But, I understand that there must be an immense sense of frustration, or sense of how unfair this entire situation is, and that’s because it is. It’s unfair as anything I’ve ever heard.
But this is where dreams come in. We can hold on to them, no matter what they are, and use them as ammunition against the injustice that the world sentences us to. Dreams are the shield we can hold to protect us.
All these analogies about life make me think of this dude I was told about during Halloween. He was walking around in blue jeans and a white t-shirt and he’d Sharpie’d on to the shirt, “LIFE.” And he carried around a bag, handing out whole lemons to people.
I don’t know what that story has to do with anything.
Anyways, let me know when you want some Banditos, although there is this place Kelsey was telling me about out by Fin & Feather that sounded as if it were straight outta mehico.
Much love as always.
All my best,
Jared
Praying for ya Spencer! I’ve got more brownies made here for when you get out!
Cindy and family….so glad to hear things are looking positive. I’m sorry you have to go through this. Please let me know if I can send up any supplies for anyone in your family. Love and good wishes to all! Marla Jaffe (I work with Cindy)
Hey Spence, Uncle Mark here. Man you will do anything to get out of class. You could have just had Aunt Cin call you in sick or have Mac take a note into your teachers. I’ve been thinking about you every day since you tried to change the laws of physics.
Ya know Spence I have a good feeling about your future recovery. You always have had a “kick ass” attitude. Its easy for me to say but, I think when you start re-hab you are going to continue to amaze everyone you come in contact with. You always give it your all so I have no doubt that you will conqure your injury.
I truly hope to see you soon.
I love ya buddy.