AFTER.... We're not exactly sure yet. But it looks like I'm between 2 1/2 to 3 inches taller. I was 5 feet 8 inches to start with. I'm close to 5 feet 11 now. Look at the position of our shoulders from each picture.

My friend Spencer came to the hospital with me the morning of my surgery. We took this picture to see how much taller I would be after.

BEFORE

Day 6 at Primary Childrens Hospital

This is me being wheeled out of the hospital to the car. I know I looked pale, sick, and holding a barf bucket (which I never used once the entire time), but I'm screaming for joy inside.
So there was NO WAY I was spending another night in the hospital after last night. It was brutal. I've been up since 5 am walking around & being uncomfortable. I can't take another minute here. The dr came in around 8:30 and talked to me and said I could go home. Oh man. I told my parents to pack up so we could leave NOW.

See this machine here. I've named it "SATAN". All night, every night, it would beep and yell at me. I breath through my mouth at night and apparently don't get enough oxygen and then it would beep and the nurse would come in.

Day 5 at Primary Childrens Hospital

Today Blake had his bandages removed from his back. As you can see he has a pretty metal incision!!! Also, all tubes and IV's have now been removed. HALLELUYA!!!! Blake also had to walk up 12 stairs to pass his physical therapy sessions. He pretty much mastered it. Today was also a tough day because we switched from all of the epidural medicine to oral medicine. Blake did pretty good, but there was ALOT more pain than he's had the last several days. Our last night at the hospital was pretty much the night from HELL! I just asked Blake what comments he wanted me to put in his blog about that night, and he said he pretty much is trying to suppress that memory. So no comments. Because of the switch of medication Blake was in horrible pain, the machines kept beeping, and although the nurses all week at the hospital were FANTASTIC....we happen to get a total dud that night to top it off. All three of us, (Me, Kent, & Blake) vowed that this would be our last night there. No way could we handle another night there.

Day 4 at Primary Childrens Hospital

Today Blake got up and was able to walk for the first time since surgery. He did a great job.

Day 3 at Primary Childrens Hospital

Jayson & Chelsea stopped by too. Blake said they all had great hair, but Jayson's was the prettiest!!

First time out of bed since the surgery. Blake was able to stand up, turn around, & sit in this chair. Yeah!!
Katy & Harley came to visit & brought cookies, legos, & this awesome velvet coloring thing.

Today Blake got his first meal in three days & he ordered pancakes.

Day2 at Primary Childrens Hospital

Today the goal at the hospital was to be able to sit up in bed and dangle your legs off the side of the bed. Mission Accomplished!!

Not only that, but Blake actually stood up for a few minutes. (You can't really tell from the angle of this picture, but I'm guessing Blake is 2-3 inches taller.)

So every two hours Blake has to be moved so that he doesn't get bed sores. As they moved him the first time Blake asked me to take a picture of his back so that he could see what he looked like. Once I showed him the picture he said I could post it on his blog. His words were "Wow, that looks "metal"!"