Update on Peter Mix's son

[Scott Tichenor]

Some of you may be aware of the serious accident Peter Mix's son DeWalt was involved in last week in L.A. Some of this appeared on CoMando last week. I spoke to Peter today by phone, first time since the accident and got an update. Reason I hadn't posted anything earlier is that at the time we didn't know if his son would live or not, and I didn't ask for his permission to post anything. Not everyone wants personal family information on the web, but Peter said it was OK to communicate this.

In short, he was making a turn on his motorcycle and was hit by a DWI/DUI who is at fault and currently in jail.

Extensive injuries and he's being kept in medical coma while operations take place and his body heals. Liver and kidney damage, bruising to the heart, severely mangled leg that may not make it, major facial reconstruction needed although the surgeons think that'll be quite successful. More, I'm sure, but no need to go into this.

Peter flew out immediately and after a day there decided there was too much family present and too little they could do. He attended the NAMM show which ended yesterday, and upon return to Vermont he and Cynthia back fly back to L.A. the following day. They sounded utterly exhausted, mentally and physically.

Little more I can add. Luckily he's in a superb hospital with top-rate doctors and lots of family and friends (his mother lives there), and importantly, his employer has already indicated their full support to get him back on his feet. More as it becomes available.

[Thomas]

Another member of the mando community meets a drunk driver. #This is very sad. #When I had a Rigel, Peter was the consumate gentleman when I had questions about it. #I'm very sorry for him and hope his son makes a good recovery.

[JoeD]

Horrible. Sending best wishes that DeWalt makes a full and speedy recovery.

[Scott Tichenor]

Just so everyone knows, the drunk driver was female. Alcohol doesn't discriminate. No jokes please. It's not funny.

[Kevin K]

My prayers are with DeWalt, Peter, and the rest of the family as well as the driver (she needs them too).

kk

[MandoSquirrel]

My prayers are with DeWalt, Peter, and the rest of the family as well as the driver (she needs them too).

kk

About all I can say is "Me too"

[allenhopkins]

My heartfelt best wishes and hopes for DeWalt. One more reason I'll never own a motorcycle; you're too much at the mercy of all the drunks, druggies and incompetents that swarm on the roads. I want at least as much steel around me, as the dazed substance abuser who's tooling toward me at 1.5 times the speed limit.

Makes me want to buy a Hummer -- or an Abrams tank...

[Bob DeVellis]

Best wishes for all. The good news is that it happened in L. A. where, as Scott said, there is really superb medical expertise available. No doubt it's going to be a long painful journey for DeWalt and those who love him but hopefully it will all turn out fine in the end. As has happened throughout history, war injuries have driven forward the level of skill in dealing with trauma. There have been amazing advances in trauma treatment over the past 3 or 4 years and DeWalt will benefit from those hard-won lessons.

[JEStanek]

Good luck DeWalt and best wishes for a healthy recovery. Best wishes to Peter and his family too.

Jamie

[Peter Mix]

Thanks so much for all of the kindness and concern expressed here. Cynthia, Sophia and I were with my son for 5 days before heading to Austin for NAMM, leaving his mother and her family there at his side. We're all from the east coast, so logistics are a challenge and we'll be taking turns caring for him over the coming months.
# #He's had several surgeries since last week, all of them with excellent results, so we have every reason to be optimistic. DeWalt has a long recovery ahead, but he's a very strong and positive person and we know he'll recover. I'm going to suggest he take up the mandolin now since he'll bed-ridden for a time and guitar is a bit bulky in bed. Hmmmm, standard carbon fiber or a nice, ned kevlar weave?
# # Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
With profound thanks from me and my family, who truly appreciate your support,
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Peter Mix

[cooper4205]

Hang in their Pete! Best wishes to your son for a speedy recovery.

[mandopete]

Yes, we will keep him in our thoughts and hope that all turns out well.

[omegaman]

All the very best Peter to your family and helping DeWalt down the road to recovery. My prayers are with you.

[pjlama]

All my thoughts and prayers go out to DeWalt and the Mix family. I'm very sad to hear about this and look forward to talking to you soon Peter. Let me know if I can help in some way.

[Bryan Monarch]

DeWalt and the entire Mix family are in my prayers. Good to know he's with family.

[8strings]

.....So sad to read these lines. You must indeed have a huge problem with not just drunk, but also other intoxicated drivers over in the US. The murder statistics involving guns are also very freighting. I wish Peter's son and indeed you all of you all the best.

[jim_n_virginia]

Motorcycles are so dangerous to ride now a days even without drunk drivers. Just one wrong turn of a car and ...

Hope Peter's son makes a speedy recovery. It's good that he has family to support him.

[Kirk Albrecht]

Best wishes of grace and mercy in my prayers for you, Peter, your whole family, and of course, your son DeWalt.

[violmando]

I just heard about this tonight from another mando player; I had met Peter & Cynthia at AMGuSS this summer and think they are WONDERFUL folks. My thoughts are with them and DeWalt and the rest of the family. Scott, when you get any more updates, please post them. I hope that DeWalt DOES get to learn mando soon--ANY kind! Yvonne in Ohio

[no tyme flat]

We hope and pray all the best for you and yours, Peter.

[Peter Mix]

Hi folks,
# # It's early morning and is going to be a beautiful day here in LA where I'm sitting in DeWalt's room at Cedars Sinai Hospital. My son is receiving extraordinary care and has had multiple surgeries on his injuries. He faces more over the coming months. Three weeks after the accident, he's still not truly aware of what's happened.
# #He told me late last night that he was sorry for watching "the movie" and when I asked what movie (he is a film editor after all), he said "The movie where I get hurt". I hope that he never remembers the accident in detail.
# #His sense of humor is quite intact and when one of his doctors asked where the pain was the greatest, he said "Financially". He's wonderfully kind and courteous with the staff here, though he does get frustrated with his current helplessness.
# With each passing day, he grows stronger and clearer. The months ahead are a looming question, but he'll get through this. It means a great deal to me, Cynthia, Ash and Sophia to have such an outpouring of compassion and concern.
# # # # # #My thanks to you all, Peter

[otterly2k]

Thanks for the update, Peter, and glad to hear that the news is good and going in the right direction. Rehab is a long and frustrating road, but it sure beats the alternatives!

[Keith Erickson]

Peter,

Your son is in good hands over a Cedar Sinai. ....and you and your family are all in our thoughts and prayers.

God Bless you All...

[KNP String Band Mando]

My heart its with you and your family peter. I think i can speak for everyone in saying that the whole mandolin community is behind you and here for your support.

[violmando]

Being at the right hospital/rehab is much of the recovery--I know they are taking good care of him. Do make sure you all take care of yourselves also; recovery takes a toll on the caregivers as well--I know, since my husband has been ill for over 2 years. Take care, Peter--best wishes for DeWalt and all of you. Yvonne from AMGuSS.