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tom Carter
Social climber
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Jun 19, 2012 - 02:08am PT
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Another good day for Don. Jane says he is cracking her up! That is really great, his humor is intact! A number of visitors has both recharged Don and sent him to Big Nana land for some deep sleep.
I am headed down tomorrow and will post up photos if the censors agree.
I do not know how long he will be at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, hopefully he gets a change of venue sometime this week. Rumors about him heading to a "step down" unit are circulating and that would be a encouraging event.
Spent the day with !Flanders and his take on big injury recovery was when in the hospital the focus is on you and your staying alive. It was when he got home that he was really needing the collective energy of friends. So, you will all be a part of this.
Thank you.
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TrailCrewErnie
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jun 19, 2012 - 02:35pm PT
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It is hard to find adequate words to describe how tough Don Harder is. I know the fall would of killed a lesser man, specifically myself. Don is one tough Hombre, but the harsh reality proves that we are mortal beings and rock climbing is a dangerous sport, it is not a game. I can only imagine the excruciating pain Don experienced and will continue to experience through recovery and rehabilitation.
Last Saturday evening in the Intensive Care Unit Don and I relived our Quicksilver experience. I am amazed at what Don remembers, but there is a lot he does not. The traumatic injury's to Don's head and spine are miraculously minimal relative to the seriousness of his leader fall. The visit and conversation proved to me that this Bear of a Man lives and will return as strong as ever. Don's spirit is high and his wonderfully sick and twisted sense of humor is as good ever.
Don's offer's of cash money to his nurse's and the $1,000.00 to Jane for brushing his teeth was a minor token of his big love of life. Don said to me that he worships the ground Jane walks on. No BS. And Don swears he'll get back at Tom Carter for applying colorful nail polish and smiley faces to his toes. There was talk of gluing a bird's nest to the top of Mr. Carter's cabeza, the next time Tom lies helpless in a hospital. And Don's impersonation of Werner Braun who I had the initial SAR contact with was simply flawless.
A tremendous thanks goes to Yosemite Search and Rescue. What an organization and operation. WOW!!! Don could of died at the base of Middle Cathedral Rock.
Don is facing a difficult recovery and rehabilitation, but time is the great healer ... remember ... when we get to the top of the mountain ... keep climbing
Ernie M.
SF CA USA
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Jun 19, 2012 - 03:03pm PT
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Somehow missed this one entirely - hope the Don heals up as quickly as possible.
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Dave Davis
Social climber
Seattle, WA
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Jun 19, 2012 - 11:36pm PT
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Tarbuster
I believe most of Don's pals from the Seattle area are aware of what's going on. Certainly the one's you mentioned except perhaps Julie B. as she's currently living in Tucson and I've lost touch with her(she could be lurking however). Looking forward to some good stories out of this one.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Jun 20, 2012 - 12:20am PT
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Thank you for tightening up the loop Dave,
Or for "checking the ropes" as it were!
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tom Carter
Social climber
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Jun 20, 2012 - 10:34am PT
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Best day yet and lots of good news.
Don is headed out of the ICU and into the "Step Down" unit. No more chest tubes etc. Eating full meals, and as Ernie said his acuity is apparent!!!
Good friends have experienced Don as usual = animated!
Thank you to everyone sending the "vibes"!
Tommy Herbert is planning to visit today and we should have a deeper understanding of the future through Dr. Herbert.
Jane spoke with his Dr. at Memorial Medical Center yesterday and the "horizonline" for leaving the hospital is coming into focus. Don might be leaving wonderful Modesto within the next 5-7 days?! We will have to wait and see how this all shakes out.
Currently the plan is to head to Don and Jane's home near Mariposa, in Lush Meadows. The ease of access, lower elevation and shorter drive are all factors in this option/choice.
Mailing address:
Don & Jane Harder
5699 Meadow Lane
Mariposa, Ca
95338
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David Wilson
climber
CA
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Jun 20, 2012 - 10:49am PT
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Very good to hear Don's recovery is going so well !
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Jun 20, 2012 - 11:38am PT
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Heal up fast Don!
Anyone say specifically what occurred?
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jun 20, 2012 - 12:06pm PT
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Spent the day with !Flanders and his take on big injury recovery was when in the hospital the focus is on you and your staying alive. It was when he got home that he was really needing the collective energy of friends.
Speaking as someone who has gone through this, I concur whole-heartedly. Sure, it's nice to have visitors while you are in the hospital, but there is a lot of professional activity focused on your recovery, and a lot of support if you need it. But once you are home, and the days stretch into weeks, and the weeks into months... well, it can turn into a long and very lonely road.
Sounds like Don has the support of a loving partner, so he won't have to walk that road alone, but it's still unbelievably important to have a friend drop by with a box of shortbread, or a book (or a bottle of single malt). Or to get an encouraging email from someone you barely know.
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splitter
Trad climber
Hodad, surfing the galactic plane
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Jun 20, 2012 - 01:35pm PT
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I am sure glad things are looking so much better than they were one short week ago!
Your looking great in that TC photo up thread Don. Looks like they are feeding you pretty good also! And, regarding the toenails...your prollie gonna start a new fashion trend. I suspect Locker has already painted all of his toenails, lol! ;)
Keep up the good work!
Cheers!!
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the goat
climber
north central WA
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Jun 20, 2012 - 02:48pm PT
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It's really good to see the speed of Don's improvement. Be careful though "eating full meals" could put you back in ICU considering its hospital food. TC, thanks for the photo, he clearly looks like he's on the mend.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jun 20, 2012 - 10:42pm PT
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hey there, say, tom... thanks for the report... good to hear a good solid
update...
thanks for the address for to send cards, :)
god bless...
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tom Carter
Social climber
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Jun 21, 2012 - 01:18am PT
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Another GOOD day.
My Money is on him leaving before the weekends over!!!
He has requested anyone coming through from Truckee/Tahoe to PLEASE bring some tacos from Jalisco's
NICE!
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Chicken Skinner
Trad climber
Yosemite
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Jun 21, 2012 - 01:30am PT
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Awesome report. Thank you.
Ken
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mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
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Jun 21, 2012 - 02:18am PT
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Thanks for all the support. When i get to an actual puter i'll drscribe what happened. Sent fr my hospital bed...........
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Jun 21, 2012 - 11:47am PT
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PULL HARDER!
AND: Many, many thanks to Smilin' Ernie, YOSAR team, medevac unit, Merced County Hospital (or wherever you're stuck in for the moment Don), hospital care team, Jane, Carter, Maz, Herbert, all of Harder's good friends and family , plus Jane's family, and everyone down there at the hospital cafeteria!
[EDIT] I know that's all prolly for you to say Don, but I figure you are in shock/near-speechless from the toenail paint. (Hoping for a swift recovery)
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the goat
climber
north central WA
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Jun 21, 2012 - 03:54pm PT
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Sent from your hospital bed? I don't want to know what you were typing with!
And if you get any Jalisco tacos, don't hoard 'em, we want to see a few up this way.
rl
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Francesca Drake
Trad climber
California,Truckee
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Jun 21, 2012 - 04:20pm PT
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Great to hear, Gene and I send our positive vibes from the PNW.
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SuperTopo on the Web
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Last year I had a longer fall with impact, that I walked away from with no major injuries. Makes me realize all over again how lucky I am.
Let us know!