Snow Survivor to Have Part of Feet Amputated

RENO — Doctors announced Friday that they will partially amputate the feet of Jennifer Stolpa, who with her husband and infant son survived eight days in blizzard conditions in remote northwest Nevada.

Dr. Louis Bonaldi, a reconstructive and plastic surgeon, said a surgical team will perform the partial amputation Monday, followed by immediate reconstructive surgery.

“Normally in frostbite cases of this severity the entire foot would be removed,” the hospital said in a written statement. “Dr. Bonaldi says the surgical team chose this procedure in Jennifer’s case in an effort to preserve enough of her feet to allow walking without the use of prostheses.”

Stolpa, 20, and her husband, James, 21, remain in satisfactory condition. Five-month-old Clayton Stolpa is staying with his parents but is not receiving treatment.

The couple’s truck became stranded in a snowdrift in the northwestern corner of Nevada on Dec. 29 when they tried to take a shortcut on a trip from Castro Valley, Calif., to attend a funeral in Pocatello, Ida. Jennifer Stolpa and the baby huddled in a makeshift cave while James Stolpa trudged nearly 60 miles for help. They were rescued Jan. 6.

The couple suffered severe frostbite on their feet. The baby required treatment for mild dehydration.

Since arriving at Washoe Medical Center on Jan. 7, the couple have undergone twice daily whirlpool treatments in an effort to stimulate tissue on their feet.

“A series of tests, however, confirm that Jennifer’s feet were irreversibly damaged by frostbite . . . prompting doctors to choose surgery as a treatment,” the hospital said.

No decision has been made on whether James Stolpa will undergo surgery.