As many of you know, Hardrock founder, Course Director, and Board of Directors President John Cappis suffered a serious vehicle accident on September 12, 2008, and a subsequent stroke on September 18th. Below is a short description and current status, to update you with the latest information available.
Note that John's wife, Lona, is overwhelmed at the present time and doesn't want phone calls. Also, at Lona's request, please do not contact John's mother, Gay in order to keep her stress level down. Thanks!!
Feel free to contact me at thorncha@gmail.com or 970-387-5182 if you wish.
- Charlie Thorn
After climbing California's Mt. Whitney the previous day with Kathie Lang and Jim Ballard, John had a single vehicle rollover accident on 9/12 along Hwy 395 between Lone Pine and Bishop while returning to Colorado. John was transported successively through two or three hospitals to a County Hospital in the LA area. John had no recollection of the accident after waking up in the hospital. Injuries included multiple broken bones in right leg and ankle, lumbar spinal fracture, subdural bleeding, and black and blue bruising from head to toe, but nothing life threatening. An operation placed a pin in his leg.
Charlie Thorn spoke with John and Lona after finding out about the accident on 9/17. John was fully coherent, had an intact sense of humor, related details of the climb, but was still in a lot of pain. The plan at the time was to fly John back to Colorado as soon as possible.
On the morning of Thursday, 9/18, while still in the hospital, John suffered a stroke and was placed in ICU. He was responsive but could not speak and his right side was paralyzed.
Updates:
September 20 - Kathie reports that John is out of ICU, stable, and undergoing speech and physical therapy. He is responsive, using hand signals to communicate. He is still in pain but his sense of humor is still with him. Recovery prognosis is not known. All plans to return to CO are on hold. It looks as if an ankle operation will be performed in CA. Meanwhile, John's son, Andrew has arrived and will be there with them for some time.
September 23 - John is about the same. Understands things. Enjoyed listening to grand kids on phone. However can't talk or move the right side. Pain is a problem.
September 27 - He has begun responding to physical therapy and now has some movement in his right arm and leg muscles. Lona is looking into moving him into a rehab hospital for a couple week intensive therapy program. That may happen next week but it's complicated by the facts that he's still recovering from the right leg operation (pin inserted and brace still in place) and he needs another operation on his right ankle that has not yet been scheduled. Finally, Lona will be changing her living location soon so hold off on mailing any cards until we get a new address.
October 1 - Today John is scheduled to get the external device off his lower right leg/foot/ankle and get that replaced with pins and cast.
Next John is going to get a feeding tube. This is a tube that goes directly into the gut and will allow the nasogastric tube going from nose to stomach to be removed. This is needed to go to rehab and hopefully will allow progress on swallowing and speech therapy.
John has been accepted at Loma Linda rehab unit and will probably go there next week.
Lona said John can actively move his right leg now. The right arm is moving some but not the fingers very much. He can now move his neck to nod for yes and no and gives the appropriate responce. Also yesterday he was using his left hand to work on moving his right hand fingers.
Yesterday John used very little pain med. I would assume the pain would be from the lumbar fracture site.
A large packet of cards and letters arrived yesterday despite the street mix up. Lona had not opened any yet, but was going to take them to the hospital to read with John. So thanks everybody for that. There is no new address yet.
October 3 - John had leg surgery yesterday to replace the external brace with internal plates and screws. It will be about three months before he is allowed to put weight on it. The feeding tube has been installed for use while he re-learns how to swallow. Today he should be transferred to the Loma Linda University Rehabilitation Unit. He has been able to speak a few words and was able to move his right leg and arm a bit - both positive developments.
October 5 - News from John's wife Lona:
Dear family and friends,
Once again we have good news. As of 9 pm last night [Friday] John was transferred to the Loma Linda University Rehabilitation hospital. His room has a small patio with a bubling fountain and greenery. After spending three weeks in a hospital bed with no fresh air or scenery, he was ready to feast his eyes on that sight. The room has a bulletin board where we can pin up the many cards and letters he has received. He has started to swallow so when he gets the muscles stronger, he will be on food by mouth. His individual words have now become phrases and sentences.
Several of you have asked for the new address so here it is:
John Cappis
c/o Loma Linda University Rehabilitation Institute
25333 Barton Road
Loma Linda, CA 92354
He is not ready to talk on the phone just yet but it is clear that it will be coming. He reads your cards and notes and shows great pleasure in them. Many thanks to you all. Lona
October 13 - News from Lona:
John has continued to recover from his stroke. He is now swallowing and feeding himself. He is lifting the right arm and has feeling in his right foot. We are busy reinforcing names of family and friends and talking about past experiences. The other day I asked him if he would like a drink of water or of lemon-lime soda. He said "Initially, I would like water." But most of the time he still struggles to finish his sentences. As you might imagine, he gets very frustrated. We are sure that his previous good health and fitness will serve him well in his recovery. - Lona
October 22 - News from Lona:
It is with a full and joyeous heart that I write this note. Every therapist who walked into John's room today told him how fabulous his recovery has been for the last 3-4 days. The speech therapist told him she would call his improvement miraculous except he had worked so hard himself. They seemed to be eager to see how much more change he would show in the 8 days left for therapies. I want to thank all of you for the prayers and possitive thoughts you have sent to him. It has encouraged us both. We plan to fly back to Montrose on the 31st of October. We are both happy to be returning to our home Many, many thanks for your support. - Lona
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