In November of 2002 John and Lucinda traveled from their Santa Fe home to New York City for a combined business and pleasure trip. Within 48 hours of their arrival they became extremely ill and were rushed to Beth Israel Hospital where they were diagnosed with Bubonic Plague (The Black Death). Due to concerns about possible bio-terrorism, John and Lucinda were isolated under intense security and became an international news item. John was placed in a coma and given a 1% chance of survival. Lucinda recovered quickly, but remained in New York at John’s side while he battled for his life.
