Laurel's van is the vehicle right next to the wall. It is pointed in the opposite way than she was traveling. Mr. Dean had to kind of climb up on the wall and be between the wall and the burning van to get her out.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Article and Crash Photo, Skamania County Pioneer newspaper, August 20
I apologize for the awkward way this is displayed. I am still trying to find a way to post it that will be better, but this will have to do for now. This paper is not online. Right click on the photo, then click "open link" when the window pops up, it will appear in a size that is easy to view in much more detail. Do this with the article and it will open up in large enough size to read.
Laurel's van is the vehicle right next to the wall. It is pointed in the opposite way than she was traveling. Mr. Dean had to kind of climb up on the wall and be between the wall and the burning van to get her out.
Laurel's van is the vehicle right next to the wall. It is pointed in the opposite way than she was traveling. Mr. Dean had to kind of climb up on the wall and be between the wall and the burning van to get her out.
Precious Moments, Wednesday, August 26th.
I was fortunate enough to be at the hospital yesterday when Mr. Dean came in to have his burns treated and introduced himself to R. R and K brought him out to the waiting area where I was with Laurel's sister, nieces and two younger kids. Wow. Too many words I could use right now and none express everything that, even just as a cousin, I feel. I can only imagine what is in the hearts of her husband, the kids, her parents and siblings, and in Mr. Dean himself.
Weilding my trusty camera, I was able to capture for her the moments Laurel got to tell him thank you.
She was telling him thank you with her words and her eyes and her broken body and I think he understood.
He was speaking encouraging words to her about what her job is now and how he knows she has hard work ahead of her.
He spoke of his family and anticipates meeting Laurel's parents soon since he often travels to the town next to where they live. His arm was bandaged and healing burns still visible on his hands. He said he never missed any work. After meeting him, I wasn't surprised. Some people just do what needs to be done. I am so glad he is that kind of man. And that is how he views his selfless act, as something for which he says "There (was) no choice".
And here is a miracle for us all to think about. Mr. Dean's wife kept him home for five extra minutes that morning because she wanted to talk to him. He gave in and had that extra cup of coffee. He said he was going to be a little late for work because of it.
Someone Else knew he was the right person for another, more important job -- and that he'd be there just in time.
Weilding my trusty camera, I was able to capture for her the moments Laurel got to tell him thank you.
She was telling him thank you with her words and her eyes and her broken body and I think he understood.
He was speaking encouraging words to her about what her job is now and how he knows she has hard work ahead of her.
He spoke of his family and anticipates meeting Laurel's parents soon since he often travels to the town next to where they live. His arm was bandaged and healing burns still visible on his hands. He said he never missed any work. After meeting him, I wasn't surprised. Some people just do what needs to be done. I am so glad he is that kind of man. And that is how he views his selfless act, as something for which he says "There (was) no choice".
And here is a miracle for us all to think about. Mr. Dean's wife kept him home for five extra minutes that morning because she wanted to talk to him. He gave in and had that extra cup of coffee. He said he was going to be a little late for work because of it.
Someone Else knew he was the right person for another, more important job -- and that he'd be there just in time.
About Tuesday the 26th
TUESDAY,August 26: Laurel had another skin graft surgery on Tuesday. Coming out of it was very difficult, both because of intense pain, and because of medication induced anxiety. The surgery went well, grafting on Laurel's own skin so her body can identify that it is okay for it to be there and allow it to stay. The doctor said there is also a layer of some kind of space age like material that has silver ions in it to act as an anti-microbial and help it heal nicely.
The bummer is that they were not able to complete everything. Laurel's body temp. was dropping too much which inhibits the blood from clotting. So another surgery to finish up is planned for tomorrow (Friday).
I saw Laurel myself after her surgery on Tuesday and I could not help but weep. She was so clearly in so much pain, both physically and from the anxiety caused by the anesthesia. So, when I tell you she took the news like a champ (that they have to go in again)when the doctor told her on Wednesday -- know that I mean it. She just seems to be taking the attitude that she knows she has to do all of this to get through what she needs to and just wants to do it and be done.She is setting herself to push ahead, to push through it all to get to the other side.
Although she says she isn't as brave as she thought she was, that isnot what I am seeing! She is so brave, so much more brave than I can imagine being with so much ahead of her. Frankly, I think burns are the worst kind of injury. They are so incredibly painful. When I see her and others in the burn unit my heart swells with admiration and compassion at the same time.
The bummer is that they were not able to complete everything. Laurel's body temp. was dropping too much which inhibits the blood from clotting. So another surgery to finish up is planned for tomorrow (Friday).
I saw Laurel myself after her surgery on Tuesday and I could not help but weep. She was so clearly in so much pain, both physically and from the anxiety caused by the anesthesia. So, when I tell you she took the news like a champ (that they have to go in again)when the doctor told her on Wednesday -- know that I mean it. She just seems to be taking the attitude that she knows she has to do all of this to get through what she needs to and just wants to do it and be done.She is setting herself to push ahead, to push through it all to get to the other side.
Although she says she isn't as brave as she thought she was, that isnot what I am seeing! She is so brave, so much more brave than I can imagine being with so much ahead of her. Frankly, I think burns are the worst kind of injury. They are so incredibly painful. When I see her and others in the burn unit my heart swells with admiration and compassion at the same time.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The Healing Garden
The award winning Healing Garden at the hospital where Laurel is was featured in a magazine. If you click on this link, Healing Garden, you will see some beautiful pictures and read about it.
~ The rock fountain visible in the first picture is the fountain that is visible from Laurel's window.
~ If you scroll down the article to the picture where you can see two medical personnel talking, the male nurse on the right has taken care of Laurel.
~ The rock fountain visible in the first picture is the fountain that is visible from Laurel's window.
~ If you scroll down the article to the picture where you can see two medical personnel talking, the male nurse on the right has taken care of Laurel.
Sunday, August 24th: 11 Days
Today it is raining outside. I am sure
She looks out onto quite a bit of greenery directly out of her window. If she is sitting in the chair, or leans forward some, she can see many of the flowers and a rock fountain.
Friday, Laurel did indeed get to be with her two younger kids, for the first time since the accident, in that garden. There were some tears shed, and it was good for them to reunite. Yesterday they were able to again be together. Her mom said the kids didn't cry this time as they seemed to have adjusted after that initial meeting the day before.
I don't know if they will see each other again today with the rain, since children are not supposed to be allowed in the burn unit critical care.
The surgery which was scheduled for tomorrow has been changed to Tuesday. It will be another skin graft surgery, but I am not sure which injury they will be working on.
Friday, August 22, 2008
August 22,2008
Now that I have this page up and running, I hope to provide more consistent updates.
Laurel had her first skin graft surgery last Saturday morning, August 16. They grafted skin from a donor onto her right side, in the area your arm covers when you have your arms to your side. The surgery went well.
The burn on her right arm was severe enough that the first surgery was the same day as the accident and was two cuts, each running the length of her arm, one on top and one below, to allow circulation to her hand. The swelling from the burns and from the neccessary IV's would otherwise act as a tourniquet and cut off circulation which would lead to the loss of her hand if not treated.
Prayers were specifically answered when she was showing improvement more quickly than the doctors expected. She was able to be given a feeding tube after about 24 hours. This is usually not possible until 3-4 days after the injury. Her pulses were good, including the pulse that shows circulation to her right hand.
She needed a breathing tube until Tuesday the 19th, so was kept in a medically induced state of sleep until it could be removed. On Tuesday evening they removed the breathing tube and she was able to breathe on her own so the meds were decreased. Since that time, she is increasingly more aware, able to communicate and is even able to sit in a recliner and walk (assisted) to the restroom. She was able to drink Gatorade today from a straw which was a welcome ting for a parched mouth. Yesterday her two younger kids were able to wave at her through a garden window (kids under 12 are not allowed into the ICU burn unit so they have not been able to see each other at all since the accident).
When I saw her Wednesday she looked much more like herself. Alot of the swelling had gone down and she was recognizable. They had to shave her head because her hair was burned as was her scalp (like a bad sunburn). Because fo burns, the only parts above her sheets that are visible are her left arm (hand is bandaged) and part of her face from her lips to her eyebrows. The rest of her head is bandaged. Her entire right arm and hand are bandaged as well as her left leg and both feet.
Because of the extreme pain associated with her injuries, she is still on alot of pain medication. Even with the pain meds, it is still very painful when they change her dressings. Today she is more aware of them doing that and has expressed that she is in alot of pain. She is a trooper and understands that she has to endure all of these procedures. But this is not going to be easy.
Her hubby and oldest daughter have been at the hospital with her as much as possible. Her mom and dad are driving back and forth from the beach as much as they can. Her mom was able to spend the day with her today and have actual conversations, which was comforting for both of them.
I don't have the most current updates for sure, but when I talked to her mom (my aunt) a few hours ago, they were giving her actual food. And the nurse was speculating that she would be allowed into the Peace Garden which is a beautiful enclosed garden just outside her window. This means she will be able to actually be with her two younger children S and L for the first time since the accident.
She is scheduled for another surgery soon and I will provide details as I receive them. There are so many details, I am sorry I cannot remember enough to post everyting but this gives you an idea. I am also hoping to post some recent pictures of Laurel and her family in the next couple of days.
Thanks for your prayers and loving thoughts.
Laurel had her first skin graft surgery last Saturday morning, August 16. They grafted skin from a donor onto her right side, in the area your arm covers when you have your arms to your side. The surgery went well.
The burn on her right arm was severe enough that the first surgery was the same day as the accident and was two cuts, each running the length of her arm, one on top and one below, to allow circulation to her hand. The swelling from the burns and from the neccessary IV's would otherwise act as a tourniquet and cut off circulation which would lead to the loss of her hand if not treated.
Prayers were specifically answered when she was showing improvement more quickly than the doctors expected. She was able to be given a feeding tube after about 24 hours. This is usually not possible until 3-4 days after the injury. Her pulses were good, including the pulse that shows circulation to her right hand.
She needed a breathing tube until Tuesday the 19th, so was kept in a medically induced state of sleep until it could be removed. On Tuesday evening they removed the breathing tube and she was able to breathe on her own so the meds were decreased. Since that time, she is increasingly more aware, able to communicate and is even able to sit in a recliner and walk (assisted) to the restroom. She was able to drink Gatorade today from a straw which was a welcome ting for a parched mouth. Yesterday her two younger kids were able to wave at her through a garden window (kids under 12 are not allowed into the ICU burn unit so they have not been able to see each other at all since the accident).
When I saw her Wednesday she looked much more like herself. Alot of the swelling had gone down and she was recognizable. They had to shave her head because her hair was burned as was her scalp (like a bad sunburn). Because fo burns, the only parts above her sheets that are visible are her left arm (hand is bandaged) and part of her face from her lips to her eyebrows. The rest of her head is bandaged. Her entire right arm and hand are bandaged as well as her left leg and both feet.
Because of the extreme pain associated with her injuries, she is still on alot of pain medication. Even with the pain meds, it is still very painful when they change her dressings. Today she is more aware of them doing that and has expressed that she is in alot of pain. She is a trooper and understands that she has to endure all of these procedures. But this is not going to be easy.
Her hubby and oldest daughter have been at the hospital with her as much as possible. Her mom and dad are driving back and forth from the beach as much as they can. Her mom was able to spend the day with her today and have actual conversations, which was comforting for both of them.
I don't have the most current updates for sure, but when I talked to her mom (my aunt) a few hours ago, they were giving her actual food. And the nurse was speculating that she would be allowed into the Peace Garden which is a beautiful enclosed garden just outside her window. This means she will be able to actually be with her two younger children S and L for the first time since the accident.
She is scheduled for another surgery soon and I will provide details as I receive them. There are so many details, I am sorry I cannot remember enough to post everyting but this gives you an idea. I am also hoping to post some recent pictures of Laurel and her family in the next couple of days.
Thanks for your prayers and loving thoughts.
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