To Miracles and Kind People

I wanted to give an update on Alex, and the blog is the best way that I know how. For those of you who are not aware, our 3 year-old tripped backwards into a firepit with a live fire, while we were camping up by Clear Lake along the McKenzie River. I was at the picnic bench, so ran over as quick as I could, but he still had borderline 2nd/3rd degree burns on the back of his legs from the ring of the firepit.

Miraculously, we had a fantastic day enjoying each other's company, and went on a beautiful hike by Clear Lake. We stayed and played in the stream for about an hour each way on our hike, and Alex LOVED playing in the water. Which in turn soaked his shorts, and saved him from being burned worse. His jacket, as you can see was melted in places, but he had on a long-sleeved shirt AND short sleeved shirt underneath. So, he still had minor burns from just the heat on his waistline and arm, but miraculously, nothing else. And he was also wearing his hat... which had burn marks on it as well... so his head was spared, minus a very minor burn from a stick up on his brow. So, when we stop to think of all that could have happened... falling in face first, having dry crisp clothes, we feel so blessed that our Alex is here with us, and doing well.

When I first grabbed him out of the fire, I threw off his jacket, and noticed that his hands were burned from putting them down and trying to get up. So, the campers nearby who heard him came running over, and were so kind and gentle to all my kids, and took my jug of water and poured it over his hands. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking, this poor child can't console himself by sucking his fingers... which he LOVES to do, but thank goodness it's only his hands (2nd degree). Then someone noticed the back of his legs. Panic started pressing in, but being a mom with my kids around, I knew I had to keep it together. Todd was getting back from leading a group of kids down the McKenzie River Trail, and wasn't there... hmmm... how am I going to find him. Thankfully he rode up within 3 minutes of the instance. I asked him if Dr. Ramton was over with our LDS group, and he said that Dr. Nelson and Dr. Penington were... so he ran over to find them, while these sweet men poured water over Alex, and helped comfort James, who was in tears. Todd came back with our friend and packed all our stuff up while I walked over to the lake and poured water on Alex's legs, and then took him over to the doctors. They were lifesavers.

Doctors are so calm, and that is exactly what I needed. No flipping out! So, Dr. Nelson was so calm and gentle while he applied bandages to Alex. Dr. Penington was calm and reassuring, and had Alex and me lay in the back of his suburban while they went to work. They reassured us that everything was going to be ok... Todd came back to give Alex a blessing, and off we went to Corvallis... a long 2 hour drive. Well, when you go at least 80, it's only an hour and a half! Thankfully Alex calmed way down after the bandages were applied, and actually slept on the way home!!! We had cell signal for about 10 seconds at an interchange about 1.5 hours from home. I quick called my good friend, and visiting teacher, and bawled for the first time as I explained in about one quick sentence what had happened, and asked if she could meet Todd at the house with the kids. She said absolutely, and the signal died.


We got to Corvallis, and Todd dropped Alex and I off at the ER, and took the rest of the kids back home where our Visiting Teachers were waiting at our doorstep. And 2 more women met us at the ER to give me my 'finally-able-to-let-it-out' hug, and Alex a praying teddy bear, which became his comfort through all of this. Alicen stayed with the kids overnight, because as the doctor looked a little more closely at the burns, she knew we needed more care than they could give. So, Alex and Todd (who arrived soon after dropping kids off at home), took a ride in an ambulance up to the Legacy Emanuel Burn Center in Portland. I drove up after taking a quick shower so I didn't smell like our campfire! When the doctor first looked at him, he said that he had a better than even chance that he needed a skin graft. His legs were bad... ARGH... but looking at the burns the next day and a few days after that (we stayed up there 4 days) he decided to let nature take its course, and see how Alex did healing on his own. Unfortunately the doctor wasn't too clear on this, and we had so many people telling us different things... we were quite confused! But I called his office after we got home, and got the whole scoop, and felt much better about things.

During this time, and from then till now, we have had more people offer to help us, than we knew what to do with!!! We were in such a complete fog with every emotion possible running through our heads as Alex cries, has a fever, doesn't move... you just can't stop your mind moving to worst possible situations, and you can't see the light at the end. But we were carried and lifted up as people offered to watch kids, bring meals, do our laundry, clean our house, water our garden, feed our dog, pay for our stay at the Ronald McDonald House.... the list could go on and on. Every time I talked to someone, there was always more. And even though we couldn't accept every one's service, just the thought of everyone trying to help us, gave us the glimpse at the light at the end of the tunnel that we needed. We knew that our Heavenly Father was watching over us, and taking care of us, through other's service.


Well, we were so happy when we were all together again, and back home with our little Alex who called himself a soldier, because everyone called him a 'trooper.' And as horrible as bandage changes are, he is so happy to be home. Each day he has gotten stronger and stronger. He went from never moving off our couch, to crawling around, to standing up, to walking around, to running around!!! He still favors one leg over the other, but is still using both!

And today we took him up to the Burn Center for his follow-up, and he's gone from a better than even chance of having a skin graft, to a better than even chance he won't need one. There is one deep burn on his left leg that they are keeping an eye on, but as long as it continues to make progress, and he doesn't get any infections, he'll be good to go! So, it'll still be quite a while of bandage changes, but there is a light at the end, and we are all so very happy! We go up a week from Monday to get the final say for skin graft or not. So, until then, we just keep plugging along. We have been on a roller coaster, but I am happy that it feels like we are getting close to finishing our ride!

In a moment, our priorities became crystal clear. We knew our Heavenly Father loved us, and was watching out for us, we knew that all of us being together as a family was the most important thing, and we knew that our family and friends were here for us. Nothing else mattered. And as we look back now, we've all learned so much. I've learned that it's ok to lean on others... something that is VERY hard for me to do. I've learned that my family is like cement. When push comes to shove we stick together... praying for each other, loving each other, holding each other, laughing together, and crying together. I've learned that there is great power in prayer. Listening to so many say they were praying for us... people putting Alex's name on the prayer roll... listening to other children pray for Alex, with no prompting from parents... melted my heart, and lifted us up higher than imagined. I've learned that by serving others, we are servants of the Lord. He is offering His help to us through others. And, I've learned to enjoy every moment together. Love your family and friends to your fullest, create memories that won't be forgotten, take the time to enjoy the small things, and notice all the little miracles that surround us. Stay close to your Heavenly Father, and notice His hand in all we do.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers, concerns, and acts of service. And for those who are just learning about this, thanks for serving all those people near you, and taking care of the families near you who need it. Enjoy life everyone... I know we are doing our best to enjoy ours! We'll let you know how next Monday goes!