Hospital Stay Over for Couple Who Survived Ordeal in Snow
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RENO — The California couple who spent eight days stranded in the snow will be going home today.
James and Jennifer Stolpa, both 21, were set to be discharged from Washoe Medical Center, where they have been since their Jan. 6 rescue. They and their 5-month-old son, Clayton, were expected to fly to Hayward, Calif., by air ambulance.
The couple suffered severe frostbite to their feet during the eight-day ordeal. Both underwent complicated operations in which doctors amputated part of their feet and reconstructed blood vessels and muscles so that they should be able to walk again without prostheses.
Doctors are pleased by the couple’s progress, but the Stolpas will not be allowed to stand or walk for up to three months. The complex operation has been used only three times before in cases of extreme frostbite.
The Stolpas both were in satisfactory condition after surgery and shared their hospital room with their son.
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