In the very serious news department... last night, I visited Marlene and Austin in the Alexander Burn Center at Hillcrest Hospital. Austin (her 15 year old son) was dousing a fire with gasoline and the fumes tracked back and ignited the gas can. He has 2nd and 3rd degree burns all over his body and has lost 30% of his skin. Since July 7th, he has received 6 blood transfusions, two skin graft surgeries, daily debridement treatments, etc.
Between reading her updates and talking to her about it, I've learned so much about burns and burn care. The doctors were originally worried that they might have to amputate his feet because of circulation issues with the burn going around the full circumference of the leg, but they are past that now and he should be able to recover well. His skin will not sweat very well where there were burns, so he'll have to be more careful to not overheat. With all the burns and oozing skin and awful debridement procedures, his "donor sites" are the most painful thing (where they took the skin for the skin grafts). I remember that being extremely painful for Mom, and they had to take a lot more skin in his case. It's all just awful. The healing process is brutal and excruciating. But thankfully, he will heal. Things will get better and they will get past this. It's hard for me just to read and hear about it - I can't imaging living it or having to watch someone I love go through that. Praying daily for him and Marlene and their close family and friends!
It was nice to get to talk to her for a while and hear more about how it happened and how they're all doing, and I was glad to see that she was in good spirits as they'd had some encouraging improvements that day. It's gonna be a long, hard road, but the hope of light at the end of the tunnel makes it durable! God has put the right people (doctors, nurses, physical therapists, family, and friends) where and when Austin needs them there. He was craving Rib Crib, so I brought that for dinner. He had a couple friends there and they were playing video games. It made me happy to see that. I was nervous going into the burn unit, not at all sure what to expect and trying to brace myself not to react if I heard or saw anything awful. His face is clearly burned, but should fully recover without needing any plastic surgery or grafting. A lot of pain, but a lot to be grateful for!
In much lighter Photo Friday style news, hooray for these Wood Finish markers... taking Rach's scratched up baseboards and doorways from the first pic to the second! ...While the Parrish fam was in Arizona, Mom and I (80% Mom, 20% me) went in and cleaned, organized, folded laundry, painted scratched walls and wood, etc. I was fairly irritated to be there during my week off at the time, but I'm glad I was able to help Mom and have some time to hang out with her! Hopefully Rach and Josh appreciated it. T-man was pretty excited about stuff Mom had organized in their room and bathroom, and that made me happy! =)
My main two projects were covering the wood scratches and making the bookshelves cute. Here's a before and after of this computer room shelf. =)
Dad even joined in the "fun," coming to change all the light bulbs that were out, sweep and clean the patio, and take out their trash a few times. Dad and I kept telling Mom we had done enough, but anyone who knows her well knows she is not one to be stopped when she's in "project mode!" So we pressed on... till the Parrishes finally got home on Saturday. lol
The Miss K with her babydolls. Freaking adorable.
This FB post by Courtney made me laugh. I totally see it, but Mom and Rach don't at all. ...The "I ❤ My Twin" caption is gold, either way! lol
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