To the Men and Women of the Spokane Fire Department:
I would like to thank each of you for the generosity and outpouring of support you have shown my wife and I after my recent accident. On Thursday, April 17th, my right calf received second and third degree burns while I was operating on the scene of a shop fire in northern Spokane County. I stepped off a boat trailer and some cross members of the trailer that were hidden by burning debris lifted my pant leg up. My right boot was instantaneously filled with hot debris. My fellow members of District 9 provided initial care and treatment to my wound while I waited on scene for an ambulance. After arriving at Sacred Heart Medical Center, I was quickly informed that the hospitals in Spokane were not equipped to deal with my injury. The physician informed me that I would soon be on my way to Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle. A short jet ride later, I was landing at Boeing Field.
The care I received at Harbor View was more incredible than I ever could have possibly imagined. The men and women I came into contact with throughout the hospital were extremely kind, compassionate, and professional. I especially appreciate the individuals I dealt with during my brief stay on one of the burn floors. I had the opportunity to see a number of other individuals that had received burns much more severe than mine during my time on the floor. I got a chance to see individuals that are going to live with the scars and devastation most of us hope we will never know. My surgeon operated on me Monday, April 21st. I was released from the hospital a day later.
Monday, April 28th, I flew back over to Seattle for my first follow up appointment. The surgeon was extremely happy with how I was healing up. Aprox. ½ to ¾‘s of the my right calf had received second and third degree burns. The surgeon opted to graft everything in the hopes that my injury will be less noticeable when things heal. I was informed at my first follow up that the doctor would be requiring me to do follow up visits every two to three weeks for up to a one year. I believe they continue to be worried about infection, how well the graft is taking, and a whole host of other things.
All in all it hasn’t been too painful of an experience. The mot pain I have had has been a result of my maiden voyage into the world of catheters. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, I would recommend that you do everything in your power to ensure that you don’t have to ever get one. I also highly recommend the phentonayl (s.p.) suckers. When my wound was being cleaned up, the nurses provided me with one. The feeling they provided was so great that I wanted to bring some back for any of you that would like to have a sample. However, since they are kept under tight lock and key, if you want to experience “the magic,” I guess you are just going to have to have your own injury.
On a serious note, I greatly appreciate the financial support you have provided. As you can imagine, the expenses incurred during my treatment and subsequent trips to Seattle has become very costly. I expect at least a portion of those costs will be covered by L & I and I am currently attempting to work with them to find out where things stand. The support you have provided will go a long way towards helping cover current expenses and costs as well as future expenses that aren’t covered.
As some of you know, I had the opportunity while growing up to spend a fair amount of time around the Spokane Fire Department. One of your comrades is the reason I decided to go into the fire service. As I continued to get older, I spent time around some the stations asking questions and continuing to be fascinated by the idea that maybe one day I too would get to work on a department. While my journey never created the opportunity to work directly alongside each of you, I continue to have a tremendous amount of respect for your organization. I still know a number of individuals working throughout the city and I believe they are some of the finest individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Thank you so much for the generosity and help you have provided.
Respectfully,
Chad Michael
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