skutsch

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!

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!)

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

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

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.

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

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!!!

great idea john. can i borrow that brace when you're done with it steve?

Steve, Pretty drastic measures just to get some Halloween decoration pics!

Yup, miracles happen! You proved it!
Wishing you a continued speedy recovery

Steve, my buddy brownie lives up that way, if you have time to goof off while there txt me and I will give you his number. You guys would have quite a bit to talk about, he broke his neck in High School + he is not hitting on all cylinders, lol

Safe Travels

Yet another way to "get screwed". Get well fast!

Wow! Glad to hear your getting better. Hope the pace continues for you.

Agree with John,Steve. Glad your feeling better.

Speedy recovery. Amazing how well you held up to such an injury. You are very lucky.

Your nickname should be Duralast.

Steve great attitude always helps. "It is a little thing that makes a big difference"

I wonder if Pete could source those screws at McMaster Carr

Wow Steve, those are some startling images to look at! Seeing that I can see why the docs think you are made of pretty tough stuff. Continued best wishes on the recovery, glad the pain is under control.

I'm pretty sure with the magnetic field from all that hardware you will throw a perfect pass off by about 2 mph so might have to ride in the back or run the throttle "old school"!