Madisons cries indicated that this would need an ER visit so I doused her with water (I was panicked and so probably too much dousing). Then Will jumped in the drivers seat and I next to her in the car seat and we headed down the mountain. With no reception it gave us time to decide what to do next- we realized there were too many unknowns about the burns and we didn't know which hospital to go to. I called 911 and the operator had an ambulance meet us at the mouth of Farmington Canyon and then the crazy started. Lots of fire engines, and EMTs (I had no idea how many people you could fit into the back of an ambulance).
Because of the burns on her face - so close to her mouth they called life flight to ensure there would be no breathing issues. During the time we waited for life flight the emts tried unsuccessfully four times to get an IV in her. After that they just gave up. At first they told me I couldn't ride with her in the helicopter than luckily the life flight nurse decided differently.
The life flight trip was short. The only vivid memory I have of the flight was seeing the Bountiful Temple- very much a symbol of hope for me in these moments. Madison cried on and off through it all- still no pain medication, even by the time we got to the U of U hospital, the hospital choosen for the job because of their burn unit.
She sat on my lap while nurses again failed miserably at getting an IV in her. Finally they gave her pain medication by mouth. I have to say I'm surprised I could be on a life flight and etc... and we never once saw a doctor(the entire night). They sent a burn unit nurse down to asses and she decided she would not need to be admitted to the burn unit! My heart soared as she told us the wounds were manageable and she believed the burns on Madison's face would not leave a scar.
Our little baby does have a few third degree burns, which will be assessed on Monday and then again in a week to see if we will need to do any skin grafts (which would include an overnight stay in the hospital). The other burns were first and second degree.
Will and I have the task of dressing her wounds everyday at home- and right now we are praying that we will have the wisdom to know how best to do this well enough that she does not get any infection.
We love our baby with everything we are. I can't begin to tell you how blessed we feel that she did not have to be admitted to the hospital and the burns were not more severe. She was given a blessing by her uncle Ike and by William in the ER. I'm grateful for Ike and Amber- they rode with Will up to the hospital and were there for us when we needed that support. Of course I'm grateful for my family for keeping our boys overnight and for helping out in those first few moments. Gratitude goes out to the nurses and emergency responders. I'm grateful for modern medicine. Where would we be without these medicines and medical personal!
Right now we don't know the cost of this all... but are grateful Will has great insurance and that because he works at the U and the life flight was from the U and we were treated at the U hospital we hope these factors will play in our favor.
We appreciate your prays on behalf of our little angel and glad we got to sleep in our own beds last night!
Love you all,
Summer Blackhurst
