On a rainy Wednesday afternoon in August 2004, Kenneth Spicer, a 56-year-old driver, was on his last run of the day.  Slowing his small delivery van to make a right turn, Kenneth was slammed into from behind by a Jeep Wrangler.  Kenneth stayed with his van until the police completed their report.  Returning to the warehouse, he was told to take a couple of days off to recuperate.  In pain, he returned to work.  Within 24 hours of his return, Kenneth noticed blood in his stool – a bad sign.  One week following his accident, Kenneth went to the ER where doctors discovered that he had suffered a torn aorta and other internal injuries.  Initially, doctors focused on his internal injuries, but Kenneth remained in pain, unable to tilt his head in any direction.

“Life didn’t exist” Kenneth said.  “I had to walk very slowly to try and mow the grass.  I couldn’t ride my bike or bowl.  And I couldn’t work,” he added. 

Workers' Compensation sent Kenneth to four different doctors who all told him the same thing – he was as good as he was ever going to get.  Functioning at about 15% of his previous self and after 8 months of pain, Kenneth’s primary care physician suggested he see a chiropractor.  “The chiropractor sent me to have a special type of MRI where I move,” Kenneth recounted.  Kenneth’s flexion/extension MRI revealed injury to several levels of his neck.  He needed a specialist.  Seeking solace in his faith, Kenneth was told by a friend at Baylife Church in Brandon about Dr. Robert C. Nucci.

“God led me to Dr. Nucci to fix me,” Kenneth stated.

On September 28, 2005, more than a year after his accident, Kenneth saw Dr. Nucci for the first time. 

“My first time in the door, Doc told me what was wrong and what could be done to fix it,” Kenneth said. 

Kenneth had cervical disk herniations at the C4/5 and C6/7 levels of his spine. A herniation is a painful condition where an injured disk extrudes back into the spinal canal, putting direct pressure on the nerve.  A simple surgical procedure could provide relief.

“Dr. Nucci and his staff gave me confidence,” Kenneth adds.

Kenneth opted for a course of epidural steroid injections while he considered surgery.  “I had two shots which gave me relief for 2-3 months at a time, “ he said.

On March 2, 2006, Kenneth had his surgery.  “Dr. Nucci had a person show up at the hospital to meet me and answer my questions.  And when Doc introduced me to the surgical team, it felt like I was among friends,” Kenneth elaborated. 

“I had my surgery on Thursday, was out of the hospital on Friday, and back at church on Sunday.  I felt immediate relief – the deep pain was gone.  The worst part was my sore throat (from the anesthesia)” Kenneth said.

Today Kenneth works as a tram driver for Busch Gardens.  “After two years of not working, I was able to work again after my surgery,” he says.  “I am at 85% of what I was before the accident (the remaining 15% being weak/sore muscles from 2 years of inactivity).  I am back to playing basketball, bowling, and rode a Harley for the first time in my life a couple of weeks ago.  I can move my neck all directions -- with no pain,” Kenneth adds, turning his head side to side and up and down. 

And if Dr. Nucci were standing here now, what would Kenneth say? 

He does not hesitate, “Thank you Dr. Nucci.  You gave me my life back.”