One year. Most of you know what happened, but I thought I would recount the last year.

It all started February 23, 2019. I drove down with my parents to the ranch (near Carmel Valley and King City) to help secure some equipment that leaned precariously in the barn after heavy rains. As I set up a jack, a large hopper fell and hit me in the back. I just laid there in fetal position while an ambulance was called. EMTs quickly told me there was a “deformity” in my lower back (I could still move my legs). Then they laid me flat on a spinal board and the pain became so great that I passed out. They drugged me and airlifted me to Salinas and then Stanford. The last thing I remember that day is holding Sharon’s hand before the 2nd transport and saying “I’m sorry”.

So what happened? My lower back had a “burst fracture” to my L3 vertebrae. Surgeons at Stanford immediately stabilized it by “fusing” L1 to S1 together with rods and screws. They then did surgeries to remove bone fragments that pressed against my spinal cord and nerves. The condition is known as Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES, look it up for more details) which includes paralysis. The spinal cord ends around L2 and damage to it rarely recovers. However, damage to the nerves below L2 can regenerate; it just takes a long time (1-3 years).

The first month was of pain and emotion. My memories are a haze of doctors, nurses, surgeries (5), medication, and hospital rooms.  My body transformed as I lost 30 lbs. and could no longer move anything below my waist.  I laid there many a day while my mind drifted away on drugs and self-pity.  I owe my sanity to family and friends who supported me and gave me strength.

The second month was one of survival. Valley Med rehab facility specializes in spinal injuries and day one got me up and moving around. I had to learn the basics or transferring from a bed to chair to toilet to bench to car. How to catheter, dress and get around. I received IV antibiotics three times a day and took opioids for pain. After 6 weeks of hospitals I returned to a wheelchair accessible house and home nurse visits. My body core and left leg started to return with basic, weak movements.

The third month was one of basics. My bowl and bladder functions mostly returned to normal and my left leg remained weak but regains much motion. My right leg remains motionless, but I do feels “sparks” and spasms sometimes. I can raise myself into a “standing machine” every day for 15 minutes before I collapse in exhaustion. Physical therapy has me working on core muscles so I can sit up straight.

The fourth month I was introduced to the pool.  A wonderful PT gave me a world where I only weighed 10% of normal. I started going 3 times a week and have never stopped. My whole body began to build strength and stamina and even my lifeless right leg showed some movement high around the hip. I was able to stand longer and even negotiated 10 ft. of walking between parallel bars in therapy.

The fifth month I get braces. I use them maybe 30 minutes a day at the hospital with a PT on a treadmill or parallel bars. It is exhausting as not only are my legs weak, but my whole core body is weak from disuse and I can barely stand up. My left leg gets noticeably stronger and my right shows movement in the hamstrings and hip.

Months 6 & 7 I learn to use a walker. With braces on, walk 45-60 minutes a day slowly around the house with a walker.  I get incredibly sore on my abdomen, sides and back as these muscles are weak.  The right leg gains noticeable control from the hip, although it must be locked straight in the brace or it will buckle under me. I practicing standing and bending over slightly. I’m learning how to balance without holding on to something and pull my body straight. I drive for the first time after the accident using my left leg.

Months 8 & 9 have me start using crutches.  At first, I only use crutches in the therapist’s office.  It is much harder than a walker as I have to learn to balance and walk at the same time. I am exhausted after each session. Slowly I build strength and confidence. I also make my first real trip by flying to Texas and driving my truck back with my dad. The right leg slowly gains more refined movement, but still only in the upper thigh area so I get used to wearing my brace all day long.

The last 3 months have been refinement. My progress slowed from big steps to subtle changes. I continue to swim and add weight lifting to my 3 day a week routine. This builds strength and teases more fine motor skills above the knee and coarse (weak) motor skills below the knee on my right leg.  I can stand and move around well on crutches, able to navigate people’s homes, stairs, and restaurants. I still use a wheelchair for long distances or if I don’t have a brace on. Life returns more to normal as I start taking classes again and drive regularly.

What does the future hold? If my injuries were only to the spinal cord improvement would rarely happen after 6-9 months. However, since most of my damage is below in the cauda equina, doctors say improvement can happen up to 2-3 years . I will work with what I get. Already my legs and back continue to get stronger, fine motor skills develop, less pain with time. I think I can get enough of my right leg back so I don’t have to wear a knee brace (just an ankle brace or AFO) which is common for people with a CES injury. This should allow me to walk around with a cane and resume some normalcy in life. That is my goal for the next year.

Some numbers:

                Total bills (given to insurance): little over $2 million

                Doctors that have attended me:  about 30

                Hours physical therapy:  about 70 hrs. with therapist