Epilogue "A Farewell to Arm" Summary and Analysis

With international news coverage of Ralston's ordeal, Ralston receives an outpouring of support. One woman writes to him to tell him that he inspired her to not go through with suicide.

Ralston's friend Chris Shea sends him a cake from Portland that is shaped like his right hand. Ralston enjoys the cake with visiting friends in the hospital, and they dub the ceremony "the Last Dessert" (pg. 333).

After making a comment about wanting a margarita at a press conference, Ralston is inundated with an outpouring a generosity. He receives gift certificates to restaurants, margarita mixes in the mail, and even a battery-operated blender.

Ralston contracts a "potentially lethal bone infection" (pg. 334) and is re-hospitalized. After making arrangements with his doctors, Ralston is released to the care of his parents so that...