The Thomas Family Fund
Donación protegida
Friday morning, at around 10:00 am, Steve was doing what he loves most...helping his students embellish their talents in the area of woodworking. As a result of a freak accident, the hardwoods that were being turned into a platter on the wood lathe shattered unexpectedly. The wood came off the lathe and hit Steven in the right side of his face. The quick and responsible actions of his students, Kayhi staff and the EMT's were remarkable.
At Fawn Mountain I was out enjoying the sun with the preschoolers when I was called into the office to take the important phone call that will rock our world for a while. Thanks to quick actions and fast volunteers, I beat the ambulance to the hospital where friends and loved ones gathered quickly to sustain and support us in this journey.
The First 4 hours:
As Steve was brought into the hospital, I really thought he was just going to need his face stitched and I would take him home to monitor for a concussion. Our good friend, Clarke, quickly and kindly helped to prepare me for much worse before I went into see him. As I entered the room, I knew this was going to be a long journey. I really did not find out much about his injuries at that time as the AMAZING emergency staff at Ketchikan Hospital worked quickly and feverishly to ensure he stayed with us and was as comfortable as possible. I watched while they patiently and very kindly cleaned him up, prepped him for procedures and dealt with the large amount of people gathered to support me and offer assistance to Steve. WOW! It really was overwhelming and amazing.
Shortly after arriving at the hospital, they took him for a CAT scan. I knew things were not good when the assisting nurse and Dr. left very quickly, with concerned looks on their faces, into the imaging room. I soon found out a very brief and scary version of what we were dealing with as I also tried to wrap my mind around the idea of being Medi-Vacced and leaving my children and preschool students behind. I am really not sure how we got from point A to point B, but we are here. I would like to note that from that first moment of injury until we got to Seattle, we had friends close to us in vicinity as well as in our hearts, including the EMT's and Medivac Team. These familiar faces were just one way we have felt the watchful care of our Father in Heaven during this trial.
Steve's injuries are extensive and critical. Further exams showed that Steve has a very severe eye injury and initial reports are that he will need surgery in an attempt to save the eye. All the bones on the right side of his face, from just above his eye brow to below his chin, are shattered or broken. His lower jaw shows at least one very bad break and his cheek and sinus cavity are displaced and broken many times as well as his orbital bone around his eye is shattered. One of the pieces of bone from above the eye is pushed up against the brain causing a subderal hematoma (small brain bruise and bleed). He has extensive nerve damage. He has a very large cut on his forehead, down the side of his face/cheek, back of his head and forearm. His arm is very bruised, but not broken. Steve will go under many many sugerys and procedures to recover. Not only is he an amazing teacher but a father, brother, soon to be grandpa this is only a bump in the road.
This Fund is setup to help the thomas family with medical expenses and travel costs and lodging while steve is recovering. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Up to date information on Steve's recovery at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/steventhomas3
At Fawn Mountain I was out enjoying the sun with the preschoolers when I was called into the office to take the important phone call that will rock our world for a while. Thanks to quick actions and fast volunteers, I beat the ambulance to the hospital where friends and loved ones gathered quickly to sustain and support us in this journey.
The First 4 hours:
As Steve was brought into the hospital, I really thought he was just going to need his face stitched and I would take him home to monitor for a concussion. Our good friend, Clarke, quickly and kindly helped to prepare me for much worse before I went into see him. As I entered the room, I knew this was going to be a long journey. I really did not find out much about his injuries at that time as the AMAZING emergency staff at Ketchikan Hospital worked quickly and feverishly to ensure he stayed with us and was as comfortable as possible. I watched while they patiently and very kindly cleaned him up, prepped him for procedures and dealt with the large amount of people gathered to support me and offer assistance to Steve. WOW! It really was overwhelming and amazing.
Shortly after arriving at the hospital, they took him for a CAT scan. I knew things were not good when the assisting nurse and Dr. left very quickly, with concerned looks on their faces, into the imaging room. I soon found out a very brief and scary version of what we were dealing with as I also tried to wrap my mind around the idea of being Medi-Vacced and leaving my children and preschool students behind. I am really not sure how we got from point A to point B, but we are here. I would like to note that from that first moment of injury until we got to Seattle, we had friends close to us in vicinity as well as in our hearts, including the EMT's and Medivac Team. These familiar faces were just one way we have felt the watchful care of our Father in Heaven during this trial.
Steve's injuries are extensive and critical. Further exams showed that Steve has a very severe eye injury and initial reports are that he will need surgery in an attempt to save the eye. All the bones on the right side of his face, from just above his eye brow to below his chin, are shattered or broken. His lower jaw shows at least one very bad break and his cheek and sinus cavity are displaced and broken many times as well as his orbital bone around his eye is shattered. One of the pieces of bone from above the eye is pushed up against the brain causing a subderal hematoma (small brain bruise and bleed). He has extensive nerve damage. He has a very large cut on his forehead, down the side of his face/cheek, back of his head and forearm. His arm is very bruised, but not broken. Steve will go under many many sugerys and procedures to recover. Not only is he an amazing teacher but a father, brother, soon to be grandpa this is only a bump in the road.
This Fund is setup to help the thomas family with medical expenses and travel costs and lodging while steve is recovering. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Up to date information on Steve's recovery at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/steventhomas3
Organizador
Phil Thomas
Organizador
Seattle, WA
