Brett Scott Update

[Pastor Butch]

Hey guys, 
 
Here's an update from Dar that she tried to send through the prayer list
last week but it didn't work for some reason...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Hello church family ... we're home ... finally! 
 
First of all, let us clarify that Brett did not have the surgery done that
was originally scheduled. He was originally scheduled for a cervical
laminectomy (removal of disks), but once we got to the consultation with the
surgeon the day before surgery (Tuesday, May 13), he suggested a cervical
laminaplasty ("hinging" of disks). This is a fairly new procedure that has
been done successfully for the last five years. It is often referred to as
an "open door laminaplasty." It allows the disks to remain in place and be
"hinged" to take pressure off the spinal cord and nerve roots. Brett had 4
disks "hinged." They were C3 through C6 in his neck. For those who have been
asking ... Yes, hinges were actually placed on each disk (4 of them), and
the hinges are titanium. 
 
According to the surgeon, Dr. France, the surgery was successful and there
were no complications. Brett did loose quite a bit of blood during surgery,
but did not need a transfusion. His blood pressure was very low for a few
days because of blood loss, and he was monitored closely. After surgery,
there were also issues with nausea and high fever, but they also seemed to
clear within a few days. He had quite a bit of neck pain the first few days
and was given morphine. He pain has since diminished, but he is still on
pain meds ... and I'm sure will be for a bit yet. After 5 days at Memorial
and 11 days at Ruby in Morgantown, he was discharged Tuesday. He will now
begin outpatient PT here in Cumberland. 
 
We are home and resting. Although we are a bit exhausted physically and
mentally, Brett is doing well and has regained a majority of the use/normal
function of his right arm and leg. There are still numbness and weakness
issues, but they said it could be 3 months or longer before all function
(fine motor and such) returns. He was walking with a walker, but has now
"graduated" to a quad cane. He began therapy today and the therapist was
quite pleased at how much strength and function he had gained back in such a
short amount of time. The prognosis looks good for him to regain all
strength and function. At one point before surgery, the disks were
compressing the spinal cord/nerve roots so intensely that he had issues
walking at all. 
 
God has been good! This could have been much more serious (according to the
surgeon). Please continue to pray for full restoration of all function.
Also, continue to pray for healing of the wound/neck. He is presently in a
neck brace, and will be so for some time. We go back in two weeks for a
post-op consult and removal of the stitches. We'll know more then. 
 
So many thanks for all the cards, food, e-mails, calls, etc. Our mailbox
"spills over" each day with thoughts and wishes. Many thanks too for all the
prayers that were offered up. We felt God's covering! 
 
 
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