Steve.... "I'll be "BACK"...

Steve had back surgery last Monday.  He has been dealing with sciatic pain down his left leg caused by a herniated disk. They had tried twice to resolve it by removing the material that had come out of the disk and unfortunately the disk herniated again following his surgery this past Thanksgiving. So, the recommendation was to fuse the two vertebrae together. This surgery was much more of a significant surgery than in the past, but based on all the information, we felt it was the right thing to do. Brooklyn didn't have to go to school Monday because it was a holiday. So she went with us to the hospital. I am so glad that she was with me as we waited for Steve to get out of surgery. The surgery took 5 1/2 hours. That's a long time to be waiting.

 

This was a picture that I took about 2 hours after surgery. We couldn't see Steve until he got to his room. His face is all puffy and swollen because he was laying face-down for 5 1/2+ hours during surgery. But he looked great to us.

 

On day two Steve was up and walking. He says that the most painful part was learning how to get up and out of bed - as he has to be careful not to twist and moving that way was painful. He got a balloon bouquet delivered from my mom and dad. The balloons definitely brightened up his room. Thanks mom and dad!

 

Steve ate all his meals sitting up in a chair...doctors order!

Check out the view from Steve's hospital room. We were right by the water - Everett marina area - and we could even see the top of Mt. Baker. So beautiful.

I spent every day at the hospital with Steve. Even being in pain Steve kept me and the nurses laughing! Steve tried to blame the jokes he told on the pain killers he was taking, but we all know he doesn't need pain killer to be funny. 

On day three after the doctor stopped by to check in on him he gave him the ok to go home. YAHOO! Later that afternoon he was discharged. 

Going home! Now nurse Cynthia gets to take over his care!

Steve has been resting and moving very slowly at home. One of our good friends, Howie dropped by yesterday and delivered some Baskin Robbins ice cream to Steve. Thanks Howie! You are the best! And our good friend Sarah brought us homemade chicken enchiladas for dinner! They were yummy! Thanks Sarah!
 
It's great to have friends that know what you need - just something to pass the time until you feel better. Thanks Linda and Lance!

 

This afternoon UPS delivered a box from Cookie Bouquet.

It was a bouquet of whale and palm tree cookies from his Sister Cheri and their family in Georgia. On one of the cookies it says, "Get Whale Soon". So cute. Thanks Georgia Clan!

 

Steve's brother Shane and his wife Kristin sent him a box of chocolate dipped strawberries. Oh yum! They were so good. Thanks Shane and Kris.  

The Hammond kids knew exactly what to get me to help with my recovery. Something any kid might like. Legos! Thanks Ryan, Heather and family.

Steve will be off from work for at least 2 weeks and he will be on strict restrictions for 3 months of no bending, twisting or lifting. It's going to be difficult to keep Steve from doing that once he starts feeling better. But so far the sciatic nerve pain is gone so we are hopeful that the surgery was a success.  

Thank you for your prayers, text messages, e-mails and phone calls. It's nice to have such awesome families and amazing friends.