The GCI staff is eagerly awaiting columnist Dennis Lyon’s recovery from injuries after being struck by a truck while walking his dog, Putter, Dec. 20. The driver of the truck stopped and called 911, while his faithful pooch ran home, alerting Dennis’s family. He sustained injury to his left leg, pelvis, back and head and was taken to the University of Colorado Hospital. His son, Corey Lyon, has been journaling Dennis’s recovery online at www.caringbridge.org/visit/Dennislyon1. According to Corey:
He had 3-4 small areas of subdural bleeds on his brain, which have remained stable to date so no intervention is required. However, due to the irritation of the blood on the brain, plus concussion symptoms, he has remained confused and forgetful, but we see small steps of improvement. He has always recognized all of us.
He sustained a fracture to 2 vertebrae of his thoracic spine (the bone, but not the spinal cord). This was considered an unstable fracture with risk of causing spinal cord damage. So he had spinal fusion surgery to stabilize these fractures, which has allowed him to sit up in bed with support and will help with his rehab, once that starts.
He has a left humerus (upper arm) fracture in 3 places, to include ligament damage in his shoulder. That will be repaired today. He will be immobilized and unable to use his arm to bear weight for up to 6 weeks.
He has a right clavicular (collar bone) fracture, which will heal without surgery, but he will be unable to bear weight using his right arm for 4-6 weeks as well.
He has a fracture of his sacrum (tail bone) and part of his pelvis (hip bone) on the left side. These are considered stable injuries and will not require surgery. They will heal on their own, but he will be non weight bearing on his left leg for approximately 12 weeks.
Currently, Dennis is successfully done with his surgeries and recovering at Kindred Hospital in Denver. Though he’s going to be off his feet for a while, we’re pulling for him to be back on his game as soon as possible – and not just because we like reading his columns.
If you’d like to send notes and get well cards, address them to:
Dennis Lyon
c/o Corey Lyon
1456 S. Grand Baker Cir.
Aurora, CO 80018