WESTON — For over a year, a Wood County man has been battling back problems that he had hoped surgery would correct.

He is now facing issues he did not anticipate when he underwent that surgery in November.

Randy Spangenberg, who turned 56 this month, was hospitalized in three different hospitals for five weeks.

“I was supposed to be in the hospital for two days after the surgery,” Spangenberg said. “Little did I know I would end up in the hospital for five weeks, paralyzed in my left leg and I would lose control of my bowel and bladder (functions).”

The Wood County man said he didn’t know what he had done to create the initial back pain.

“I didn’t have an injury. The pain just came on.”

Spangenberg said the pain kept getting worse.

“It got to the point I could hardly walk. I tried therapy for a couple of months, and then I went through pain management for another four or five months, but nothing helped,” the former volunteer firefighter said.

At the time the back pain began, he was a full-time employee for Milton Township, doing snow removal, cutting grass at the local cemetery, and doing road repairs.

“From there, it was all downhill.”

Things got worse. Much worse.

The Wood County Hospital surgery was supposed to take four hours, but it lasted for over eight hours. During that surgical procedure, Spangenberg said that the dura matter in his spine was compromised, which led to spinal nerves being exposed and a loss of spinal fluid.

“The nerves (in the spine) pretty much fell out of where they were supposed to be. I guess they just looked like spaghetti. When I woke up from the surgery, I had no feeling in my left leg and had no use of it.”

After six days, Spangenberg was transferred to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, where they had the neurological care he needed.

He underwent an MRI exam.

“At St. V’s, their MRI allowed me to lay on my side. The MRI showed I had a hematoma around my spine.”

During his two-week stay, the staff did what they could to keep him comfortable.

“I had a stabbing-like pain down my right leg.”

Spangenberg had another surgery to remove the blood that had formed in his right leg.

“That pretty much took care of the pain in my right leg,” Spangenberg said.

Doctors also discovered blood clots that had formed in his left leg.

“I had to wear compression socks and they gave me blood thinners.”

Spangenberg said he still takes those blood thinners today to keep other clots from forming.

Next, he was transferred to St. Charles Mercy Medical Center in Oregon for acute rehabilitation services.

Spangenberg continued to undergo physical therapy after his two-week stay at St. Charles.

“I had to stop the PT when my insurance stopped paying when I (exhausted) those benefits. I’m still doing therapy at home, but I’m doing it on my own, continuing what I did before the insurance ran out.”

In mid-May, Spangenberg underwent another surgery to install a device that is to help with his bladder and bowel control issues.

“I hope it helps, because I don’t leave the house much.”

On top of his physical issues, he also now faces problems with depression.

Spangenberg has improved enough that he now uses a cane instead of a walker.

“My left leg is still useless.”

He remains thankful for the support he receives from others.

“I have great support from my family, my friends, and the community.”

Randy Spangenberg rests in his hospital bed at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, in November as daughters Kenzie (left) and Madison look on. (supplied photo)

His daughter has established a gofundme account to help with the medical bills. Contributions may be made to Randy Spangenberg via gofundme.com.