Update on Charles Richards from his Facebook page:
I am Charles' wife, updating his condition for all of his friends. Yesterday, Charles spent about 10 hours in the operating room, undergoing two surgeries. First, he had surgery that began around noon. The surgeon went in through the front of his neck to relieve the pressure in the front of his spine. The doctor removed some bone that was compressing the cord and then replaced it with a disk. After the surgery was complete, the doctor was concerned because although Charles was able to use his hands, his feet were still not responding. To assess what was still occurring he ordered an MRI. The MRI showed that the cord was still being compressed in the back. This would require another surgery going in from the back of the neck.
About 5 p.m. they took him back into surgery. This surgery required that he lie on his stomach while the doctor accessed the spine from the back. He removed the bone that was compressing the cord and then strengthened this with a brace with screws. This surgery lasted until nearly midnight. After surgery, he was placed in post surgery intensive care. We are told the doctor stayed until around 2 a.m. monitoring Charles and then returned at 7 a.m. to check on him.
We have been really impressed with this surgeon, Dr. Andrew Simpson, who devoted all day to Charles Richards. He is an amazing doctor who does everything imaginable to achieve the best results, and for Charles, he did.
This morning when I saw Charles, he could grip with both hands, lift his right foot, and move his left foot better than before. We are very encouraged.
We also want to thank his family who came to the hospital to support both of us: daughter Stephanie and husband Roger Gartman, son Mark and wife Kim Richards, sister Mary Beth and husband Carr Racop, brother Don Richards, and Cousin Clifford and wife Lenora Gowens.
We also appreciate all of the prayers that have gone up for Charles. Keep them coming because we feel their power.
I am Charles' wife, updating his condition for all of his friends. Yesterday, Charles spent about 10 hours in the operating room, undergoing two surgeries. First, he had surgery that began around noon. The surgeon went in through the front of his neck to relieve the pressure in the front of his spine. The doctor removed some bone that was compressing the cord and then replaced it with a disk. After the surgery was complete, the doctor was concerned because although Charles was able to use his hands, his feet were still not responding. To assess what was still occurring he ordered an MRI. The MRI showed that the cord was still being compressed in the back. This would require another surgery going in from the back of the neck.
About 5 p.m. they took him back into surgery. This surgery required that he lie on his stomach while the doctor accessed the spine from the back. He removed the bone that was compressing the cord and then strengthened this with a brace with screws. This surgery lasted until nearly midnight. After surgery, he was placed in post surgery intensive care. We are told the doctor stayed until around 2 a.m. monitoring Charles and then returned at 7 a.m. to check on him.
We have been really impressed with this surgeon, Dr. Andrew Simpson, who devoted all day to Charles Richards. He is an amazing doctor who does everything imaginable to achieve the best results, and for Charles, he did.
This morning when I saw Charles, he could grip with both hands, lift his right foot, and move his left foot better than before. We are very encouraged.
We also want to thank his family who came to the hospital to support both of us: daughter Stephanie and husband Roger Gartman, son Mark and wife Kim Richards, sister Mary Beth and husband Carr Racop, brother Don Richards, and Cousin Clifford and wife Lenora Gowens.
We also appreciate all of the prayers that have gone up for Charles. Keep them coming because we feel their power.
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