11.04.2008

Halloween 2008

Aunt Keri and Uncle Steven went with Gma Cindy, Grampa Gary, Baden, Will, and Corinne to Trunk or Treat!
Uncle Steven with Football Player Baden!
Our friends Carmen, Cecilia, and Mariah.

Aunt Keri and Fireman Will!


Cindy and Bumble Bee Corinne!
Steven and Keri at a Costume Party. Keri won the best girl costume award and $13.00
Sweet!
Yes, that is still Keri with her attractive husband!


Steven's Spinal Surgery 2008

Due to my kyphosis I had a hump in my back that was getting worse. Back in high school I wore a back brace during my sophomore year for 23 hours a day in hopes of correcting the curvature. At that point my curve was at 57 degrees. Normal curvature of the spine in the thoracic region is 30 - 40 degrees. The back brace corrected the curve to 52 degrees.
Earlier this year, Keri and I went to my spine doctor to see how severe the curve had progressed. It had gone from 52 degrees to 75 degrees. My doctor stated that it wasn't a matter of if I would need surgery, but when. We opted for earlier since I'm young and we don't have any children. The following are pictures from the surgery and recovery. Notice the curvature in my back before surgery compared to post surgery!
Getting prepped for surgery!

On my happy drugs! No worry in world.


Yep, all that was for my poor back!

Prepping for surgery in the OR.

My spinal surgeon and his resident.

Sewing up my back. Ouch!

The morning after surgery. I was up and walking!

Look at the new and improved Steven!
I can bend over farther than this now; however I was still quite stiff when this photo was taken.
I've achieved "rock star" status with my group of 7th grade boys that I mentor at church. The first week they thought my scar was so cool that they brought 3 friends to group the next week just to check out the "massive, most amazing, incredible" scar that they had ever seen!