So, here's the story.

My mom was woken up by a loud crash early yesterday morning. My dad, up early getting ready to head to the gym, and had passed out. He didn't immediately respond when she called out for him, but she soon heard him calling faintly from the bathroom. He had come to quickly after the fall, but had initially been unable to speak. When she found him, he was unable to move, having no feeling below his neck. Paramedics were called, and he was rushed to the local ER.

He was alert in the ER, speaking with my mother when he passed out again. Doctors rushed in, while my mother was escorted to the waiting room while they ran several tests. It was at this point, around 4:30 yesterday morning, that she called asking me to come down to be with her. His CT scan and cardiac tests came back clear. At the time he still had little to no feeling from the neck down. He was transferred down to the shock trauma center not long after.

He eventually got sent in for an MRI which revealed he had been experiencing a condition known as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), which was putting pressure on his spine. He had yet to experience any of the symptoms, but the swelling caused by the fall contributed to a bruised central cord.

He went into surgery yesterday afternoon for a partial laminectomy, removing the lamina from disc C4, C5. and C6, with screws inserted fusing discs C3-C7. Someone with a medical background may be able to describe that procedure better than I can, just recalling what the neurosurgeon told us last night. Surgery went well based on the post-op MRI, and we were able to see him shortly after midnight. He was still intubated, as a precaution should they need to perform any additional surgery this morning. While we were there he was able to wiggle his feet and move his arms slightly.

By this morning he had shown significant progress, and his tubes were removed as they ruled out the need for more surgery. He had his first PT and OT appointments this afternoon, and has been able to raise his arms above his head, raise his legs, etc. His wrists, hand, and fingers were the last to start come around, with this picture being taken earlier tonight, though he is still experiencing constant pins and needles in his hands.

I'll gladly answer any questions you all may have to the best of my ability!