Mountain Project Logo

Climber falls in Eldorado Canyon

Keith Guillory · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 1,005

From Tess last night:

Hi everyone,

Quick update here. Wayne left Kindred yesterday. The doctors have decided he is sufficiently healthy so they can replace the bone flap now. He is set for surgery tomorrow (Wed) at noon. This is a good thing. Hopefully the bone flap replacement will bring further brain healing and function in the very near future. Send prayers and positive energy that the surgery goes well and for zero infection. You only get one chance with a bone flap replacement.

I will keep you posted on progress and when/ where to visit again. He will most likely return to Kindred in Denver after he has recovered here at St. Anthony's for a day or two, depending on how smoothly everything goes.

Edited to reduce distracting commentary. I appreciate the admins' moderation. Let's stay on point.

For the benefit of Dr. Thrill!

Hank Caylor · · Livin' in the Junk! · Joined Dec 2003 · Points: 643
"there is a lot of confidential info revealed. Are you sure his family is OK with this type of exposure would he be OK with it ? One thing to be supportive and comment accordingly something else is to put out sensitive medical info on the net."

colin fox wrote:Thank you to everyone that is praying, sending positive vibes for Wayne. It's heart warming to read everyone's posts and amazing that people that have never met Wayne care. It's going to be a long road for Wayne and I hope that all future climbers can learn from his accident. Peace - Jen Fox (Wayne's sister)
Yes, Waynes Sister Jen appears to be way in favor of the Mountain Project community and it's support. Thanks Joan..
rogerbenton · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 210

Hope all went well with the surgery today.
Best wishes, good vibes.
I don't know Wayne but judging from the support here he's clearly a special individual. All my best to his family as well.

Mic Fairchild · · Boulder · Joined Jan 2003 · Points: 360

Go Wayne. I'm glad to hear of any incremental improvement. We're rooting for ya.

Steve Bartlett · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 3,376

Thanks for the update, Gilroy (via Tess). All the best with the surgery.

Keith Guillory · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 1,005

Thanks, Hank. And good point, Joan. Rest assured I am in close contact with Wayne's family so they will let me know if I am sharing too much. This last update had nearly 100 people on the list so I am sure Tessie takes into account what she is saying to the "public".

The replacement procedure, 'Operation Boneflap', appears to have gone off as hoped. Wayne will spend a couple of days at St. Anthony's before returning to Kindred Hospital for the near future. Doctors expect and we pray that this replacement of the skull segment will help normalize things inside the cranium of our good buddy and speed the healing process.

Come on, buddy. GIT ON UP NOW!

Keith

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

Thanks everyone!

Let's not change the nature of this nice thread of support we have going on here!!
Perhaps J.L. does not realize just how big our family, or WolfPack as some call it/us. (And yes, girls are in the WolfPack! That ain't no guy thingy.)

On another note… Liz & I saw Wayne the afternoon before his surgery. We had not seem him in a few weeks, we were on a trip... Seeing him was great! He had really good coloring now. He would move his legs & arms in a controlled manner. It was the strongest by far that I had seen him since the accident. Any, and all infections he had were done, or about out with good response to antibiotics!
He is stronger every day it seems. Now with the skull bone back in place that should help balance the brain, or put it back in line - center meridian. That in itself should (keep sending positive vibes!) help things return to some more normal functioning. Having it out can stretch the brain out, thus reducing how the functions work.

Anyway…... All great news that many of you want to know!!

Cheers Family / WolfPack / Friends!

C

Ben Scott · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 3,932

Such an awesome update...thanks for the info everyone.
Keep going strong Wayne!

phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

Keith, Lynn and I saw Wayne last Saturday. We were his first visitors during his Hi-Stim time.
He seemed asleep so walking in first I loudly said "Wayne! Hey Brother". To my amazement he opened both eyes wide and equally, turned his head directly at me and seemingly tracked me approaching him. Two other things I noticed. First he seems to be experiencing more and longer periods of REM sleep when he drifts off. I can't help but thing that is a good thing as REM sleep is like R&R for the brain. Second he would stretch out his left leg, toes pointed like a dancer, and when connecting with the footboard of his bed he would pull back a little, flex his foot and press his heel and sole into the footboard. This we witnessed several times and to me indicates something more than just reflex. All of this is encouraging but inconclusive. The replacement of the bone flap was a great step forward for Wayne and will hopefully help his brain to further heal.
Keep up the good vibes. The Tribe abides.

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

Sending positive energy.....

thanks for the updates, sounds better than before.

lauren di scipio · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 110

Wayne will love this. He is already in the medical books (literally) as a case study for surviving extreme alpine cold and dehydration with a completely shattered body after one of his last flirtations with such events. His life experiences and recovery have contributed to what neurosurgeons know about the nervous system.

We love you , Insano Bueno! Dr. Thrill! COME ON WAYNE!!!!

lauren di scipio · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 110

ps. Love you too, Philo!!

Nick Wilder · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2005 · Points: 4,098

I am removing all posts related to Joan and HIPPA-type stuff. For the record, Joan raises a valid point that deserves consideration, though probably not in this thread. If people want to have that discussion, a new thread can be started.

This thread is not the place for it.

Don't bring it up again. I'm just posting this here so people will know what happened to all those posts.

splitclimber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 18

Hey Nick,
Pretty please just take it one step further. it is getting unbearable and difficult to avoid or ignore all the blather.

Thanks

Great to hear continued good news about Wayne.

Joe Huggins · · Grand Junction · Joined Oct 2001 · Points: 105

Great to read good news! Missing you Boulder peeps,too...

Brad Bond · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2001 · Points: 155

Just got hold of the State Park Case Report. Don't have much else to add other than the two carabiners found at the base by Mike S. were Neutrino's.

My wife and I were climbing directly across the canyon when this accident happened. We had 911 on the phone less than a minute after the wreck and I was very impressed with the reaction and extraction timing by RMR. Feeling thankful for cell phones and helicopters, and pulling hard for Wayne and family.

case report

case report

case report

case report

Dave West · · Roanoke, VA · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 55

Wayne - still thinking about you every day bro. Sending good healing and energy vibes from the east your way 24x7.

Tom-onator · · trollfreesociety · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 790

Bump for any update an Wayne's condition?

This thread has been quiet for some time now.

Hoping all the best for Tess and Wayne.

-Tomo

Keith Guillory · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 1,005

Tess writes:

It is challenging to give a comprehensive picture of Wayne's condition. On one hand he is non-verbal, cannot walk or do things to take care of himself. The first 3 months, a critical time for recovery from traumatic brain injury, have come and gone. This leaves some doctors less than optimistic about his recovery. On the other hand, he continues to make progress every day. If you visit him you can see the determination in his eyes and you can witness the physical efforts he is making to do all he can to recover. He is trying to talk, he pushes his feet around trying to move his wheelchair, and he tries to get out of bed. He follows some commands. He smiles and he cries. He has come a long way in three months considering the extent of his head injury.

A group of stalwarts continue to visit Wayne regularly and Tess coordinates our visits to a degree so that Wayne does not spend too lengthy a time alone. Please get in touch with her if possible when visiting and don't forget to sign in on the journal of visitors who make the IronWayne watch. Every time I visit, Wayne shows improvement.

Wayne and Kaiden enjoying some fresh air. Libby has the watch.

Both Tess and Kaiden remain strong with positive attitudes. They enjoy the loving support of a community of friends and appear ready for the long run while tackling the issues at hand due to this accident that has befallen their family. Included in that support cadre are Wayne's mother and two sisters who visit regularly and collaborate with Tess on Wayne's care.

Keep the faith,
Keith

phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

That is so wonderful to see and hear. Thanks for posting up Keith.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Injuries and Accidents
Post a Reply to "Climber falls in Eldorado Canyon"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.