<p>I’m also posting this in the HS forum (if that’s okay) because I have some acquaintences in there that don’t come in here.</p>
<p>Earlier this evening, I received a phonecall from a friend that another one of my friends (whom I’ve known for four years this year) is in the hospital with severe burns up and down her back. She’s having a skin graft (sp?) on Friday…apparently she’s going to be fine, but she’s pretty medicated. I definitely want to go see her sometime this week.</p>
<p>It was definitely came as a shock, and I need some support. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts/prayers (if you pray). Thanks :)</p>
<p>Recovery from burns can be very painful. Hopefully all the medications will keep her from feeling all that pain. WHen you visit her, it’s something to keep in mind
that if she’s sleeping or very groggy, that’s just to help her get through the week. When someone’s asleep for a hospital visit, I always leave a calling card by their bed, so when they wake up they know I tried to see them.</p>
<p>HGFM, I will definitely lift your friend up this morning. She will need her friends in the weeks and months to come. I am glad you are there for her!</p>
<p>Oh, Grace, that is so sad. The good news is that burn care is excellent today. One of my friends had a similar accident in college … he had to take a semester off to recover. It was a tough recuperation. That was almost 30 years ago, though, and it should be an easier recovery for your friend. I will definitely keep the two of you in my prayers for the next few months.</p>
<p>From what i heard today, she is doing IMMENSELY better than I thought…she got up and walked around yesterday, and she’s healing VERY quickly…I think largely because she was very healthy to begin with.</p>
<p>Another brief update…this one not so happy.</p>
<p>My friend’s mom called a teacher at my school very upset and said that she is not doing very well…I don’t know details, but I’m assuming they’re afraid of infection (from what I know that’s very common with burns).</p>
<p>She had a skin graft at noon…I haven’t had any news. But I’m adopting a “no news is good news” policy because I figure if it had gone badly I would have heard by now. </p>
<p>It’s just so hard to know that she’s suffering and I can’t do ANYTHING to help her. I cried a lot today, and it was only made harder when I took a short nap and dreamed about her. =( Any advice to help me cope?</p>
<p>Grace, I had a lot of trouble with “worry” keeping me from sleep when I was younger. Over the years, I have come to understand that worrying changes absolutely nothing, but it does hurt me in so many ways (lack of sleep is one). My advice is to let go & let God. It’s not easy, but the more you practice … the easier it gets (kind of like when you were learning to read).</p>
<p>Your friend is going to go through some difficult times during recovery, because deep burns do affect the entire system. However, the odds are very strongly in her favor from the sounds of your earlier posts. </p>
<p>Remember, you can pray for her. But you can’t change anything, no matter how much you worry. Promise yourself starting now to worry less.</p>
<p>Also pray for strength for her nurses and hospital caregivers. I once roomed with some nurses who worked in a children’s burn unit. They were awesome, powerful, dedicated individuals. You might take solace from realizing that she’s in the hands of trained people who can help her cope with the physical and emotional healing processes. You can’t help her directly, but you’d be pleased to meet some of these specialists who ARE helping her directly. Maybe that’s a peaceful thought to send you off to sleep.</p>
<p>HGFM: I am also keeping your friend in my thoughts. Maybe she wasn’t doing very well yesterday because of the skin graft, and is no doubt going through some pain. Please remember that she is being treated by very experienced and caring medical staff, who are also treating her for the pain she’s experiencing. Recovery will take time, day by day over the next weeks, both physically and emotionally. In the meantime keep in mind that I’m sure she appreciates your support, as does her mom.</p>
<p>I haven’t heard any news since the skin graft, but again, I have a strong feeling that in cases like this no news is good news. I’ll keep you all updated.</p>
<p>She is very tired and is getting lots of rest, but now that the skin graft is behind her hopefully recovery will be quick and as painless as possible.</p>
<p>^ That’s great news! Thanks for letting us know. I’m sure she still has quite a recovery to endure but things are looking much better if all went well.</p>
Please keep her and her family in your thoughts/prayers (if you pray). Thanks :)</p>