Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2
The two younger kids (S&L) especially need prayer right now. They have started school and maybe this will give them some sense of routine which may comfort them. Things have been so out of the ordinary for them these past weeks, plus worry for their mom, being homesick but knowing home isn't the same right now, changes in school, not a whole lot of definitive answers about when their mom will be home and things will regain some normalcy -- all of these things must be very difficult for them.
From Laurel
I asked Laurel if there is anything she wants me to put up here from her. For now she wanted me to share with you a quote that came to her shortly before (I think just the previous day) the accident, in an email from a friend. She found it noteworthy enough to jot in down on a slip of paper and her hubby found it after the crash and brought it in to hang on the bulletin board in her room at the Burn Center.
She especially wanted the first part to be posted:
If God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it.
Then the rest says:
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
-Unknown
She especially wanted the first part to be posted:
If God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it.
Then the rest says:
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
-Unknown
Laurel, Happy Times
This is Laurel with her Main Squeeze:)I only say "main" because K, S and L are her squeezes too...
This picture was taken on Laurel's 36th birthday. She celebrated with her family by taking a trip to Mt. St. Helens.
Before posting pictures taken since the crash, I wanted you to see HER, so you will recognize her amongst the burns and bandages. She is beautiful then and now.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Monday, Labor Day, September 1
Laurel came through her third surgery on Friday, August 30th. She had a less difficult time in recovery as the anxiety was much lessened. The actual sites are extremely painful. In order to have grafts of her own skin, many of the areas where she was not burned were "harvested" and used as grafts on her burned areas. So she is pretty much sore everywhere.
On Sunday, I returned S&L to R via the hospital so they could see mom. I was happy to note that the burn on her nose is almost completely gone and barely even shows up. She can now be kissed on her nose and her upper left arm:) In fact, her left hand is now unbandaged and is improving well too. I think all of her fingernails and fingertips are still dark. I am not sure if they are burns or deeper tissue injuries. I will have to ask her. All of the bandages are off of her face with the exception of her forehead. There is a more extensive burn there. And I think pretty much the rest of her entire body is bandaged at this point.
One thing I know would drive me crazy is that they have to keep the dressings wet. So she sits in wetness all day long. And the bandage changes are very painful.
Some nurses are more compassionate than others. I am sure it would be hard to do that job if you are very empathetic. Laurel is thankful for one nurse, Jeri (sp?) who makes it a point to always explain to her what is happening before she does it and is very loving towards her. There have been some excruciating moments, like when a nurse has transferred her to her chair without even asking if she wanted to be transferred. Imagine being moved around when your skin is raw. But she did get to enjoy some time with kids and family out in the garden under the little shelter.
Originally she was wheeled under the shelter to keep her from the sun, which was shining at the time. But within minutes the sky literally dumped rain! We made sure she wasn't getting any drops on her bandages, then sat and laughed and tried to pretend we were camping. Her dad even started singing"Kumbayah". She got a nice visit with S&L too. I know she especially wants to spend time with them. They are not allowed into the unit itself so she has to be able to get to the garden to see them, except for waving through the window.
Her mom spoke with her on Monday (she was able to use the phone in her room finally!) and she sounded like she had a fairly good night. I think she spent a good portion of the day on Labor Day with her hubby and kids. The kids watched TV in the lobby and I think R&K took turns sitting with them. And they were also going to prepare for school to start on Tuesday. I will update more when I get to see or talk to her again.
Laurel often reads this blog now, on K's laptop. So if you take a couple minutes to sign up for a Yahoo ID (if you don't already have one) you can leave a comment and she will see it herself. You can also ask questions if you have them and either I will answer them or maybe even Laurel herself if she is up to it and has someone to type for her.
I also have a couple of pictures of her from before the crash which I am hoping to get posted soon. My scanner is acting up so as soon as I can get it figured out I will post them.
On Sunday, I returned S&L to R via the hospital so they could see mom. I was happy to note that the burn on her nose is almost completely gone and barely even shows up. She can now be kissed on her nose and her upper left arm:) In fact, her left hand is now unbandaged and is improving well too. I think all of her fingernails and fingertips are still dark. I am not sure if they are burns or deeper tissue injuries. I will have to ask her. All of the bandages are off of her face with the exception of her forehead. There is a more extensive burn there. And I think pretty much the rest of her entire body is bandaged at this point.
One thing I know would drive me crazy is that they have to keep the dressings wet. So she sits in wetness all day long. And the bandage changes are very painful.
Some nurses are more compassionate than others. I am sure it would be hard to do that job if you are very empathetic. Laurel is thankful for one nurse, Jeri (sp?) who makes it a point to always explain to her what is happening before she does it and is very loving towards her. There have been some excruciating moments, like when a nurse has transferred her to her chair without even asking if she wanted to be transferred. Imagine being moved around when your skin is raw. But she did get to enjoy some time with kids and family out in the garden under the little shelter.
Originally she was wheeled under the shelter to keep her from the sun, which was shining at the time. But within minutes the sky literally dumped rain! We made sure she wasn't getting any drops on her bandages, then sat and laughed and tried to pretend we were camping. Her dad even started singing"Kumbayah". She got a nice visit with S&L too. I know she especially wants to spend time with them. They are not allowed into the unit itself so she has to be able to get to the garden to see them, except for waving through the window.
Her mom spoke with her on Monday (she was able to use the phone in her room finally!) and she sounded like she had a fairly good night. I think she spent a good portion of the day on Labor Day with her hubby and kids. The kids watched TV in the lobby and I think R&K took turns sitting with them. And they were also going to prepare for school to start on Tuesday. I will update more when I get to see or talk to her again.
Laurel often reads this blog now, on K's laptop. So if you take a couple minutes to sign up for a Yahoo ID (if you don't already have one) you can leave a comment and she will see it herself. You can also ask questions if you have them and either I will answer them or maybe even Laurel herself if she is up to it and has someone to type for her.
I also have a couple of pictures of her from before the crash which I am hoping to get posted soon. My scanner is acting up so as soon as I can get it figured out I will post them.
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.
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