Best wishes for continued progress. Go Mike!

RIGHT ON! Thanks Tony for keeping updates on MP, I have not been able to get to the Forum page on the WMCC site (for some reason?). MIKE, I knew you could do it bro! Stay STRONG!
Sincerely, Thank YOU ALL for sharing your thoughts, prayers and positive energy with Mike. He is healing and getting better!

Any update today?

My deepest sympathy for Randy & the family; best wishes to Mike.

Keith G.

The latest from the Boulder Daily Camera: Fallen climber emerges from coma

Way to go Mike. Keep fighting!!

Great news! Keep fighting Mike, we a rooting for you, buddy!!!

One foot in front of the other -- keep stepping up Mike! I don't know you, but positive vibes are being sent your way!

Bump for Mike. Hope he's doing better!

Mike, I stood under Werk Supp today and thought about you and pulled for you. I'm pulling for you now. Go Bro.

Mike,

I pray for full recovery, I do not know you personally but God is with you!!!!

One step at a time, and one foot in front of the other. You will be back climbing again probly before I can even figure out how to put a harness on :).

God bless,

Seth

Bump for mike again. Hope you're doing okay.

Mike continues to emerge from his coma, albeit very slow, but awakening just the same. He is scheduled for an 8 hour surgery to his left foot and a few more less involved procedures. As he continues to improve plans are being made to move him out of the TICU unit and to a long term care facility in Denver until the time comes to bring him home to Oklahoma.

Sat Tony and I met some friends in Eldo and surprisingly I found the lens to Mike's sunglasses, left there from his fall. Crazy as it seems I told him (Mike) this @ the hospital on Sunday. I said "hey I found the lens to your sunglasses...can you believe it?" and he nodded "yes". That was the beginning of several similar exchanges. He did mouth the words "I want..." but we could never figure out what it was he wanted. We were so encouraged though that he was coming around.

Yesterday Mike's father was reading the sports page about Michael Phelps gold and he mouthed the word "wow". Later he moved his right arm about 1 foot in the air without a command to do so. This was the first time he has moved a limb.

So there it is. We are all so excited about "baby steps". Yes Mike has a long long recovery ahead of him, but with prayer, positive thinking and general good vibe-age he is going to make it.

That is wonderful news!
Keep it up Mike!!!!!!

This is incredible news. My best wishes go to Mike and his family!!!

Dear compassionate climbers and friends and family of Mike,

This is wonderful news of Mike's improved condition!

I have been following Mike's progress since Day 1, as tragically, my close friend and former business partner, Preston Brennan, fell from what appears to be the same spot in Eldorado Springs just several days before Mike. Unfortunately, after just six days of being in a coma, Preston passed away.

I am deeply saddened by his loss and most distraught to know that his three young children will have to navigate the world without the help of their father. Forgive me for any awkward aspect of addressing Preston's story on Mike's site, but I know that the climbing community is a family, and from reading Mike's blog, I feel that Preston and Mike are kindred spirits. Lastly, the parallels of their accidents are simply too powerful to ignore.

I, too, pray for Mike's recovery and can only hope that his recovery will somehow add meaning to Preston's life.

Some of you may wish to review Preston's blog within the Accident section of this website to gain more information about Preston and his loving support community. Like many people who lose a close friend, I have searched my heart to try and find meaning to these recent events and to try and find some way to support both Preston's legacy and his family in a meaningful way. I feel compelled to share what I am doing for Preston with the friend's and family of Mike. Again, please forgive any awkward delivery here. My intentions are pure.

Along with being a great guy and a loving father, Preston was both passionate and proud to work within the renewable energy field. Per my entry of August 1, 2008 on Preston's blog, I have set up a renewable energy investment portfolio for each of Preston and Cheryl's surviving children, Willy, Noah, and Talia. With Cheryl's blessing, the three accounts have been established with Charles Schwab, Inc. with Preston's sister, Barbara, acting as custodian of the accounts until each child reaches the age of 21.

Please join me in contributing to the Preston Brennan Memorial Clean Energy Fund, a diversified renewable energy investment account established to strictly support his children and to serve as a reminder of the path that their father had taken. My hope is that this fund will serve as a small reminder of the good intentions of their father and help energize their own lives as they search for meaningful roles in the world.

All contributions are meaningful

Check contributions may be sent to:

Charles Schwab & Co.
P.O. Box 52114
Phoenix, AZ 85072-2114

It is important to reference the account #9700-5578 in the check Memo line or on an accompanying letter.

The above account is a "parent" custodial account in Barbara Brennan's name (Preston's sister). Periodically, we will divide the proceeds in equal increments for each of Preston's children and build their investment portfolio. If any of you have a specific request as to how you would like to see your contribution invested, please e-mail me your request and I will make certain that the investment is completed accordingly. It is our intention to build a diversified renewable energy investment portfolio for each of the children in hope that it is a balanced effort. In turn, if anyone is interested in transferring existing investment shares they may own within the renewable energy field, please consider doing so. If you are interested in transferring shares or have any questions regarding the Schwab investment accounts, please feel free to contact Lisa Stokes at 1-877-298-0113 or via e-mail at lisa.stokes@schwab.com.

;And lastly, please feel free to contact me with any additional thoughts or questions.

Your time and consideration towards this effort is greatly appreciated.

Again, my hearts and prayers go out to Mike's loved ones. You are not alone!

My best,

Mark Yanowitz
mark@yanodesigns.com

Follow-up to my previous entry:

It may not have been appropriate to have included Lisa Stokes' contact information on my previous entry. Please contact me, not Lisa Stokes, if you have any questions regarding transfer of existing shares or with regard to the investment accounts.

Thank you,

Mark Yanowitz
mark@yanodesigns.com


P.S. Extended best wishes for a continued recovery to Mike and his loved ones!

I did not know Mike before his accident, but did get a chance to drop by the hospital a few days ago for a visit with a friend who knows him from Oklahoma. For those of you who know Mike, saying he is tough is an understatement. If the eyes are the window to the soul . . . this guy is a serious fighter. He's not going to be diminished by this.

We had the great fortune to visit with Mike's parents during our visit. They were very grateful for everyones' concern and kindnesses. Words will do little to convey the grace, strength, love, care, poise, and appreciation his mom and dad demonstrated throughout our visitation. I can only say Mike has the right people in his corner. So, to Mike's parents . . . thank you and please let me know if I can help in any way. I live 15 minutes away and would not be troubled to help you if you need anything at all.

One quick note about Mike: My friend made a comment in jest about Mike's face looking better than it ever has. Mike responded by raising a mischievous and dapper eyebrow in a proud and comedic display. He was very alert and responsive to much of the conversation we had during our visit. Again, I found this amazing given his injuries. One tough man.

My thoughts are with Mike, Preston, their families and friends. Please stay strong.

-John Maurer

It's great to come here and see such positive reports. Our thoughts continue to be with everyone involved everyday.

Rebecca is actually in Denver and I am posting this on her behalf. It looks like Mike is really making progress. Today is Mike's big surgery to graft skin and muscle to his left foot. Its going to be a long day, keep him in your prayers. Lori

Both yesterday and today, I sat with Mike while his parents left. I'm sure they could tell you more than I can, but here's how my visits went ...

Tuesday:
Mike talked! He's not talking, but he did talk. Three words total, but he still clearly said them. When he said "Hi Rebecca" I almost started crying! Just wish his parents had been in the room! The respitory therapist had come in, put a cap on his tracheotomy collar and asked him to try talking. Hopefully this means less occupational therapy later. He was very responsive with yes and no nods of the head. Some of what I remember:

Do you want me to call Tony and Lori when I leave the hospital? (no)
Do you want me to read your cards to you? (yes)
- I could tell when he recognized a name and when he didn't
Do you want me to move your pillow? (yes)
Do you want me to change the channel? (no)
Do you want some quiet? (yes)
Do you want me to leave? (no)

Things like that. When I told him how great it was to hang out with him again, even if it was only in a hospital room, Mike gave me what I would call a three quarters smile! When I first showed up, he reached for me, and at one point he sort of tapped on my sternum. His face, and his mother, told me he recognized me and was glad I was there. It's been awhile since we've hung out, so maybe this is good regarding his long term memory?? Sometimes it is very obvious he is looking at you, or things around the room.

I did learn when Mike seems really tired, if you stroke his hair like a baby, it seems to relax him and help him fall asleep faster. Although, a few times when I stopped, he opened his eyes and raised his eyebrows at me! Unfortunately he is disturbed a lot so sometimes the sleep doesn't last long.

We all tried to get him to talk again when his parents got back, but no luck. One of the nurses had moved him around on the bed a little bit earlier. I could tell some of it hurt, and afterwards he wasn't as responsive.

Wednesday:
Less smiles today. Mike seemed much more tired and much less responsive. His parents did say he had been better earlier this morning. I had a book of poems by Robert Frost, and short stories by Ernest Hemingway, to read to him. Didn't take long to figure out Mike seemed to like Frost better. Sometimes when I was reading, it seemed like maybe Mike wasn't there mentally, but if I stopped reading, he would look over and raise his eyebrows again! Sometimes it's hard to tell when he's with you and when he isn't, so these moments are very comforting!

Mike looked very tired after a visit from the physical therapist. She's really sweet, and Mike did communicate yes and no to her. It's easy to tell when he's in pain, but he shook his head no when asked. When she left I tried the hair stroking thing again and he was out! The last hour I was there, he slept pretty deeply.

If anyone hasn't sent a card yet, please do. He does seem to enjoy having them read to if he knows the name or not!

Take care, Rebecca

Could I please have the address to send Mike a card? I sure am glad he's hanging in there. I'm from work. you can email it to me at bill.clugston@yahoo.com.

You can send cards and letters to Mike at:

St. Anthony Central Hospital
4231 W. 16th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204

Mike Hankins Room 259

I worked with Mike at Maxcess International Corp (Fife) in Oklahoma City. He is a great guy. We are praying for him.

Gay Johnson
Edmond, OK

Any word on how Mike is doing? It's been about a month since the last update; and I have been praying for him. I hope things are getting better. Take care.

Hey thanks for asking.

Mike continues to recover. He has been moved to Kindred rehab hospital in Denver. He is up and out of the bed! Probably sounds more exciting than it is but considering his injuries it is really remarkable. They have been able to take him outside in his wheelchair. He is working on motor skills, eye hand coordination, an speech therapy. Kindred is really getting busy with the rehab process. Dont get me wrong he still has a very long "row to hoe".

Mike will probably be at Kindred about a month then will move to Craig hospital in Denver. I think the goal may be to have him back in Oklahoma by Christmas, and wow, given the circumstance what a Christmas it will be.

Thanks again to all of you for reading this thread, sending good vibes and prayers up to the heavens, and keeping Mike and his family in your thoughts.

xoxo

Lori Mayse

That is superb news . . . please keep us all posted on how Mike is doing . . . and if he or his family need any help from us. Way to fight, Mike!

-John M.