Update: Surgery went well and he is in good spirits. Spencer has been fighting a mild fever and got a platelet infusion today. He is sleeping well and recovering.

Spencer had surgery on August 3rd to shorten his left stump to match the length of his right stump. When Spencer had his amputation surgeries in 2008 his right stump's growth plate above the knee was affected so it had not been growing. However, Spencer's left stump growth plate was not affected at all and has grown in legth about 1.5 inches. Since Spencer spends 90% of his time directly on his stumps - especially when he is at home, in P.E., Karate, and swimming, we have agreed with his doctors that this shortening needs to happen. Otherwise, if left alone, his left stump could grow to 4inches longer than the right, which would make walking around on his stumps nearly impossible and uncomfortable. Not to mention, this would affect his hips in a negative way.

So, the left stump will be shortened and the growth plate on that stump will be stopped by the insertion of screws.

Spencer is expected to be home in a couple of days and will need to not bear weight on his left stump for about eight weeks. After the eight weeks, Spencer will be fitted for new prosthetic legs that will allow him to ride his new bike again, as well as improve his walking skills, getting around higher off the ground!