Spandl faces recovery after serious accident
Compiled by Karin L. Nauber from information about Bob's recovery on the caringbridge.org website and a brief interview with him.
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| The Spandl family in a photo taken last fall. Front: Kelly, Ryan and Becky. Back: Karen, Missy and Bob. |
Thursday, December 13 was a life-changing day for Bob Spandl of Browerville and his family.
Spandl and his contracting crew were putting the finishing touches on a project near Motley which they had been working on since late spring. This was to be their last day on that job.
He was working inside on scaffolding that was approximately 6 feet high when he fell head first onto concrete. He landed on the left side of his head. The last thing that he remembers from the accident is pushing the wobbly scaffolding away from the wall with his hands. This was at approximately 8:30 a.m.
"Luckily, Dave was working nearby and heard the thud as dad hit the floor. He was immediately able to assist him. Dad was knocked unconscious for 4-5 minutes. As he regained consciousness he refused to go the hospital via ambulance, but did agree to ride with a co-worker. On the way to the Staples hospital dad grew increasingly weak, pale, and complained of left, shoulder pain. Shortly after arriving to the hospital (9 a.m.) dad had a seizure. Dr. John Halfen obtained a CT scan of dad's head which at the time was thought to have shown an epidural hematoma or that area located on or outside the outermost membrane covering the brain and spinal cord (dura mater). A hematoma is a semisolid mass of blood in the tissues, caused by injury, disease or a clotting disorder.
Dad was intubated and immediately airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital," wrote daughter Becky in the journal on the website.
During this time (9-10:30 a.m.) family was contacted. Karen, Bob's wife, was contacted first and was able to see him in Staples before he was intubated. Intubation is the process by which a tube is inserted through the vocal cords and into the windpipe in order to provide somebody's lungs with oxygen.
His children were contacted and an uncle and aunt were able to drive Karen to St. Cloud.
"Luckily, I was at work in surgery at the St. Cloud Hospital when I received the call. The OR charge nurse was able to notify Dr. Gerdes that the trauma coming in was 'my dad.' Dr. Gerdes left his office for the hospital. An OR was prepped and staffing was arranged for dad's arrival. I was waiting in the ER for dad before the helicopter left Staples. Ryan, Kelly and I were able to see dad before he went into surgery," wrote Becky.
"It was an emotional and frightening time," she continued.
Upon arrival to the emergency department (11:35 a.m.) Spandl was met by the ER staff and Dr. Gerdes (neurosurgeon). Dr. Gerdes ordered another CT scan which revealed a fractured skull, a subdural hematoma, subdural, or that area located below the dura mater, in the left temporal lobe with brain shift, and arachnoid bleeding. Arachnoid refers to the middle of the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord.
He also sustained three broken ribs and a fracture to the T1 vertebra.
"Dad was sent directly to the operating room at 12:30 p.m. where a craniotomy was performed to gain control of the hemorrhage and to alleviate the swelling on his brain. His surgery went well. The bone flap (skull) was left off his head to help with the swelling and an ICP (Intracranial Pressure) monitor was placed to monitor the pressure inside dad's skull. Dad was then brought up to the ICU around 2:30 p.m.," continued Becky.
Daughter Kelly wrote on Friday, December 14, "The past 24 hours have been up, down, sad, and happy...we are sticking together and comforting dad. We are very blessed with wonderful family members, the company has helped the time pass! The staff has been amazing, keeping us up-to-date and comfortable.
"Dad did very well this afternoon. He knew his location, date, mom, kids, Dave and Lynn, Duane, Anna, grandpa and grandma, Connie, Dale...and was able to move his legs and squeeze the nurse's hand! He does wake up and is talking and has even cracked a smile, WHICH WAS SO AWESOME TO SEE!!! Though he is improving, his condition remains critical, and will more than likely remain here in the ICU a while longer."
On December 16, Spandl was able to move out of the ICU and into a room in the Neuroprogressive Care Unit.
"Dad feels so badly that he and mom didn't get to go Christmas shopping yesterday as they had planned to do earlier in the week. Dad really wants to be home by Christmas. We keep telling him we have to take it day-by-day and that it is a miracle in itself that he is doing as well as he is. Please keep us in your prayers, as we have a long journey ahead of us," wrote Becky on the 16th.
On December 17, daughter Missy wrote, "Dr. Gerdes visited this morning and unfortunately it seems we will not be back in Browerville for Christmas. They would like to wait until all the cranial swelling is gone to even consider the surgery in which the remaining portion of skull will be put back in. Nonetheless, we are so thankful just to have our dad talking and smiling again. What greater gift could we ask for!
"Dad still has right side weakness; however, that is common with an injury to the left side of the brain. We will continue to work with him on the use of his right arm and hand.
"He will also begin work with a speech therapist tomorrow-which I doubt he will enjoy. It's very frustrating for dad to know what he wants to say, but be unable to."
On December 18, Spandl had another CT scan and was able to sit up with the neurosurgeon and see all of the scans side-by-side.
"When he asked Dr. Gerdes about being home for Christmas again, Dr. Gerdes explained that he could still be down in the ICU in a coma . . . I think dad finally realizes how very lucky he is," wrote daughter Missy.
Spandl also took his first steps on the 18th. According to the doctors, he is months ahead of schedule in the recovery of an accident of this sort.
On December 19, daughter Becky wrote, "Today, I spent some time talking with my friends in surgery about Dad. Everyone is just amazed at how well he is progressing (as we are). His story is not very typical!!! I have watched many of them shed tears of joy by just hearing me talk about dad's recovery. Given the severity of his injuries dad was lucky to have made it to surgery and to the ICU. I can't believe that he is up walking and talking...when not even a week ago he was on a respirator. The power of the human will just amazes me!!! Dad is a miracle. Thanks to all of our family and friends who continue to pray for dad. Without you, who knows where we would be."
On December 20, Spandl was able to move down to the rehabilitation unit of the hospital.
Just when it didn't seem that things could get any better in Spandl's recovery, they did.
Becky wrote on December 24, "BELIEVE IN MIRACLES...
Dad continues to beat the odds. He wanted nothing more than to be home with his family for Christmas. Well, dad's Christmas wish came true-he was discharged from the hospital this afternoon!!
"He will be continuing his recovery at home for the next few weeks. Sometime in January dad will go back for the 2nd surgery to replace the bone flap...or as he puts it 'They are going to put my top back on.'
"The power of prayer and the human will are absolutely amazing. Thanks for your continuous thoughts and prayers this holiday season. Merry Christmas!"
Therapy was set up for Spandl at Long Prairie so that he could continue to be at home. Therapy began again on Thursday, December 27.
A brief setback on January 2sent Spandl back to the St. Cloud hospital.
Becky wrote, "Another chest CT scan was taken this evening which revealed right sided pneumonia and a pleural effusion. He is on an antibiotic for this. It is not sure if the pneumonia is causing all the pain or if there is something else too."
On Sunday, January 6, Spandl continued to show improvement from the pneumonia. He was able to be taken off the IV meds and began to take them orally. He also was able to begin working with physical therapy (PT) on the 5th.
"Day-by-day he is looking more and more like himself. Dr. Gerdes stopped by yesterday and took a look at dad's head...it is starting to sink in around the bone flap area (which is good). Dad should be on track with his February 1 checkup. So hopefully sometime in early February he can have the flap replaced. This seems like eternity to dad...he wants to have it done yesterday...everytime he sees Dr. Gerdes he tells him to 'Slap it on Doc, let's get it done.' If it were only that simple."
Spandl was able to return home on the 7th and has been continuing his PT at home.
Spandl said of his injury and recovery, "This really zaps the whole system. I am feeling better, really achy, but better."
He is home now and said they are hoping to replace the skull flap sometime in February.
Spandl can hardly wait.