Life got interesting for us a couple weeks ago. Almost life changing.

Maybe 25 feet long and 66 inches wide

Cam’s been working on building a truck canopy with lumber he milled recently. He’s hoping to build it with a wood frame, fiberglass top and wood stripped sides much like a wooden stripped canoe. He was experimenting with different steam boxes to try bending some of the wood for this project when life got turned upside down.

He was being so careful with the boiling water and steam since he was working outside where the kids were also playing. Despite his precautions the hose moving the steam from the boiling water to the steam box wrapped around the pot of boiling water, tipping it over on his ankle and foot. I’m not sure what he said or what sound he made but the intent was clear and I came running. He was taking his shoes and socks off and I was hosing down his burned foot.

Making Steam

The massive burn was devastating! It covers his ankle and half way to his toes and is categorised as almost third degree. After a good dosing of cold water we covered it with lavender oil and bandaging slathered with manuka honey. The terrible pain soothed sooner than we’d hoped but knew the biggest struggled Cam would face would be infection that would very likely set in with such a large burn.

Another week went by before the infection was obvious. Cam went to see the doctor who gave him a prescription for antibiotics. Instead of getting better though, his foot swelled more than I would have thought it capable and was worringly red so he headed to the hospital. His doctor decided to give him antibiotic via iv, administered three times a day. After three days, they reassessed and it was still not any better.

Bending

This is where I started to write a blog post in my head about drug resistant bacteria and how angry I am that we are recklessly irresponsible when it comes to inappropriate antibiotic use and the general hysteria around bacteria. Antimicrobial products, hand sanitiser and the like all play a part in increasing drug resistance in bacteria.

Truck canopy frame

Cam’s still going up to the hospital three times a day but his foot is back to it’s normal colouring and the swelling is starting to come down. It’s likely he’ll still be recovering and unable to wear shoes for another few weeks. I suppose he’s not totally out of the rhubarb yet but I’m not quite as frightened as I was a few days ago when I was faced with just how bad the consequences of this accident could be. Could he lose his foot, his leg, his life?

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25 Responses to Upside Down

  1. greenteacher says:

    That is terrifying. Glad to hear he’s getting better though. I know how tough it is to concentrate on anything when something as serious as what happened to Cam is going on. I drop a mug of freshly boiled water all down my upper thigh (from my hip to my knee)on jan 31 and we went to the hospital right away because of how large of an area it was. Luckily it was mainly bad first degree and second degree burns, but it did take a while to heal. I will send some emu or tamanu oil from my sister-in-law’s co, to help with the scarring and inflammation :)
    (their website is http://www.natural.ca). Big Hugs

  2. Dee says:

    Sorry to hear that. I wish him a speedy recovery!

  3. Annie says:

    Thanks so much to you both! xx

    G- Paxye mentioned your burn to me when I told her about Cam. That must have been SO painful!

  4. Sara says:

    How frightening for your family and you! You are in my thoughts and I am sending healing energy Cam’s way.

  5. Corilee says:

    That is terrifying alright. I know others who have had that drug resistant bacteria. I’m sorry this happened to your family. We’ll be thinking of him and hoping that all goes well. In the meantime is he off work?

  6. Emily says:

    That is so very scary. My 2 year old got second degree burns on his hand earlier this year and that was also scary. We avoided an infection but I was worried about it for two weeks after the burn happened. Burns are serious stuff and I am glad to hear he is getting better.

  7. Annie says:

    Cam has been working until the day after he started going to the hospital. Hopefully he’ll be able to go back to work on Monday but I don’t know when he’ll be back on full duties since he can’t wear shoes right now. I’m going to make cinnamon buns ( https://annie.paxye.com/?p=2225 ) for his workmates to help soften their hearts to Cam’s uselessness.

    Burns are seriously scary but I think so much worse when they happen to our children! Oh that would be terrible!

    Thanks! xx

  8. k says:

    oh dear! i’m so glad to hear he is improving, but that is just awful to have to go through; for him obviously the worst, but no fun for you and the kids either. wishing you all swift healing!

  9. Oh Annie! Thanks for telling us — I am wishing a fully and speedy healing for Cam!! I am so glad you were there to help dress the wound right away.

    Blessings ~
    Stacy

  10. Jacinda says:

    Ah nightmare material. Lets hope from here on his foot will heal perfectly and speedily.

  11. Kim says:

    That’s so scary! Sending plenty of healing vibes to him.
    And I am in total agreeance about the over and misuse of antibiotics by both doctors and the general public. Don’t people know by now that not all bugs need drugs and that when we do abuse antibiotics which really are a life saving thing, then they no longer do the job that they were created to do for those that geniunely need it! Grr!

  12. angelina says:

    wishin you well annie,, not good happenings!

  13. Lynn says:

    Wow, what a horrifying situation! I’m glad he is on the mend and I hope he makes a speedy recovery and can get his shoes on soon.

  14. natalie says:

    Oh shit, Annie. Heal, heal, heal… he’s strong, healthy, and active – no problem. Hugs!

  15. Annie says:

    Thanks for all the kind comments! You are all such great friends! xx

  16. Jenny says:

    Oh no Annie! I’m so very sorry to hear this. I can’t imagine how terrifying this must be for you. Please know my prayers are lifted for Cam’s quick recovery and for your strength in handling the situation. Peace to you during this challenge, my friend. Keep us posted.

  17. Grace says:

    oh my goodness, how terrifying. Hoping for a speedy recovery!

  18. Bridie says:

    Oh, Annie! How scary! My heart is in my throat just reading… I can’t even imagine. We’ll be keeping you in our thoughts.

  19. erin says:

    We talked about this recently, but just adding that as the days have moved along, I’m ever hopeful that he is continuing to heal!1

    Love to you!!!

    ~Erin xo

  20. Annie says:

    Thank you thank you! I’m so pleased to say that Cam is now on oral antibiotics so no more daily trips to the hospital! Overnight the swelling has decreased so much and seems to be on the mend. It will still be a number of weeks before it’s healed enough that he can wear shoes but who the hell cares (!) as long as it will heal eventually and the infection is gone! I’m beyond relieved that things are looking so good!!

  21. mb says:

    oh my annie… that is intense. so glad to see your most recent comment update. i share your rage about the abuse of antibiotics! and sending so much healing energy your way…

  22. ~Chelsea~ says:

    Such good news – I’m so sorry you guys had to go through this. . . . but hopefully he just keeps getting better every day.

    Thinking of you guys!
    ~C~

  23. Lindsay says:

    How scary! I’m so glad it is looking better and hope he continues to heal quickly.

  24. Sarah says:

    Oh my Annie. I just went cold reading this post but I’m glad to say reading the comments has flooded me with relief for Cam, you and your family. I hope things are still improving and that the wound is healing up. Lots of love XX

  25. taisa says:

    Annie- I don’t know how I missed this! What a difficult time for you guys. I’m glad to hear Cam is healing up- sending hugs and warm thoughts to you guys.
    love Taisa

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