Update 12/11/23

Bob remains in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital, Oregon Burn Center in Portland. He continues to fight diligently & while it has been a bit of a roller coaster the past 13 days he has made progress which we thank the Lord for. The breathing tube has been replaced with a tracheostomy which will be easier to navigate as he awakes as well as long-term recovery management. He had been on the ‘big guns’ VDR ventilator since determining the grade of his burn, which we were lucky enough to have access to here at the Burn Center as they have a very limited availability across the country. Last night he graduated to a step down vent as he’s beginning to breathe better on his own, which was the BEST news! He will remain on this vent for quite some time as his lungs heal.

He has an incredible team of Doctors and Nurses here at the Burn Center. The high level of compassionate, informative care he is receiving has been such a blessing. We know he’s in the best facility possible to manage this injury & we’re beyond thankful he’s here.

Each day is a new day & we look for baby steps in progress. Sometimes we take one step forward and 2 steps back, but we’re learning that is the nature of a critical injury. The good news is that he is healthy, strong and working so hard to fight. Bob is a true fighter & he’s proving that to all of us each and every day since the accident.

Thank you all for reaching out, for your support, warm thoughts and prayers. Please post any messages of support to him below and we’ll read them to him daily to encourage him to keep fighting.

-Tekla

On Monday, November 27th Bob was headed to get firewood when the rear driver’s door of his car caught fire. It disabled the electrical windows and locks and tragically, he was trapped inside. Thanks to heroic efforts from a local bystander, the windows were broken out and he was removed from the vehicle. The County Sheriff & Fire Chief raced him to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day where he was revived and spent the night.

Bob began to quickly decline the next afternoon & was air lifted to Emanuel Legacy Burn Center in Portland on November 28th. After evaluation at Emanuel, it was determined that Bob has sustained the most severe, Grade 4, smoke inhalation injuries and is currently in critical condition at the ICU.

When Bob was flown to Portland his family rushed to his side and we are with him every day, staying at a local hotel. His doctors have been very clear that this is a very serious injury that will require months of treatment in the ICU at the Burn Center in Portland followed by months of in-patient rehabilitation. Bob has a long road to recovery.

He is an incredible man & is loved by so many. He is fighting very hard each day and we ask for your prayers to support him through this lengthy recovery.

This has been devastating for our family as Bob is our world. He is our everything & our rock. Now we are by his side every day, holding his hand, being his rock & we will be here as long as it takes.

A GoFundMe account has been created for those that would like to help. The purpose of this is to assist with our family's housing and meal expenses so we can continue to be with him during his ICU stay in Portland, as well as assist with medical and long term care costs.

-Tekla & Andy