Help Andrew's Family Rebuild After Tragic Fire

Our brother, Andrew’s, world was turned upside down the morning of May 8th. While in South Dakota for work, he received a call that the place they lived was on fire. This has to be awful to hear as he was so many miles away from his fiancé and their 4 children.

Bransten, Rosalie, and Evangeline were outside getting ready to head to school when Bransten noticed smoke. He ran back to the house and heard his mom, Katie, yell for him to grab Gabriel, his 3 year old brother. Thanks to Bransten's heroism, Gabriel was removed from the home before he sustained too many burns.

While Katie was doing all she could to protect her babies, she suffered third-degree burns over 75% of her body. She is fighting hard, but her body has suffered a lot.

Gabriel and Katie have both been airlifted to HCMC, where they are getting much needed care. Andrew will be spending time going from room to room while also trying to balance being available for Bransten, Rosalie, and Evangeline.

Everything in their home is gone, which will require their family to start completely over.

Please consider helping support Andrew and his family during this difficult time.

All donations will go directly to Andrew, where it will then be used for his, Katie, and the children’s needs.

MAY 10TH UPDATE:

Gabriel is working towards healing. Yesterday, his first act of treatment was to be intubated and placed in the barometric chamber at HCMC. This was to assist with his lungs due to smoke inhalation and him inhaling soot.

Later yesterday, Gabriel was removed from the barometric chamber and transferred to the burn unit. While there, Gabriel’s burns were treated and his airway continued to be treated with intubation. Due to the intubation, he has needed to continuously be sedated to keep him from pulling on the tubes.

Around dinner time, Andrew was able to make it to HCMC to see his little guy and Katie. When Andrew went to visit Gabriel, Gabe could hear him and he gave his daddy a thumbs up.

Andrew fell asleep last night holding his sweet boy’s hand, who woke often throughout the night to ensure dad was still there.

Today, Gabriel continues to be intubated and sedated. When his medications wear off he’s attempting to sit up, but his medical team is quick to assist. Gabriel has had family consistently with him to ensure he’s never alone.

Gabriel has been coughing a bit more today, so the doctors are contemplating placing a scope into his throat to determine if there is any damage. We will know more as time goes on.

Katie was brought immediately to the burn unit when she arrived to HCMC yesterday, due to her sustaining burns on over 75% of her body. While there, the doctors have been monitoring her closely, for she is in critical condition with only a 25% life expectancy, which unfortunately keeps decreasing as today goes on.

Today, they have continued to monitor her, but unfortunately Katie’s kidneys have started to shut down, and her medical team says dialysis is necessary. At this time, updates are very minute by minute for Katie due to her critical status. Please continue to pray.

MAY 11TH UPDATE:

Katie is not improving. Yesterday, a negative rate of survival was given. However, she is continuing to fight.

Katie is scheduled to have her first Acute Burn Surgery this morning. This is to remove the damaged skin and will be done little by little through many surgeries.

Some big decisions will likely need to be made today on Katie’s behalf. Continued prayers are always welcomed!

Gabriel’s progression is currently going in the wrong direction. His airway was heavily impacted due to smoke inhalation and he continues to struggle with breathing. He had a procedure in his room to insert a PICC line in his neck, which goes past the heart to allow easier access for treatment. This was necessary due his veins being hard to find with his swelling.

Around 9:30 last night, Gabriel had the whole medical team in his room due to his blood pressure spiking, then plummeting. His night was rough and his sedation has been increased.

Yesterday, Bransten, Evangeline, and Rosalie were able to visit. Andrew was happy to his babies and they were happy to finally see him!

They each were given a chance to go into Gabe's room with Andrew. Evangeline did not want to go in but she visited from outside the door. The same opportunity was given at Katie's room and Evangeline did the same there.

Evangeline and Rosalie do not understand the extent of everything, but at least they had the opportunity to see their mom.

Bransten on the other hand had questions. Andrew, Grandma Mindy, and Aunt Amanda met with him separately, and he was given honest answers. Gently telling this little boy the truth about his mom was a heartbreaking experience. Bransten is continuing to come to terms with this reality.

Andrew continues to be strong and is graciously accepting family support.

MAY 12TH UPDATE:

Today, Katie had her second Acute Burn Surgery. It was stated she will likely need over 50 surgeries before this process is completed. Unfortunately during these surgeries Katie is losing lots of blood and healing will be difficult. She needed over a liter of blood today during surgery.

These surgeries are necessary to prevent further issues, but do little to help with her major organs. Katie is currently still struggling to heal from her many injuries.

There was a meeting today where hard decisions were discussed.

Last night, Gabriel had another rough night, which required his medical team to make some treatment changes.

Today, Gabriel’s medical team performed a bronchoscopy to examine his lungs and trachea. His lungs seem to be the most concerning, so his medical team may transfer him to the pediatric unit (peds).

Gabriel has lots of mucus in his lungs, which his medical team continues to suction out. Soot from the fire was also seen while suctioning, so an antibiotic was added to his many medications.

The children’s grandmother, Mindi, has been at HCMC as a support to our brother, her daughter, and her grandson since May 8th, after she was discharged from Sleepy Eye Medical Center.

She unfortunately sustained burns to the bottom of her foot and lost some important medications to the fire. Due to this, she was brought to the HCMC emergency department today. She is working on managing her medication regiment and is now needing to care for an infection within her burn.

Mindi was discharged from the ER, but her burn will need to be monitored closely, or she could need to be admitted if it negatively progresses.

On a good note, the HCMC social worker assisted Mindi and Andrew in applying for an apartment through Firefighters for Healing, which was approved today! This apartment will be at no cost to either of them and will be for their full use while their loved ones are at the hospital.

Bransten, Rosie, and Evangeline had their follow-up medical appointments at Sleepy Eye Medical Center today. Rosie and Evangeline’s examination went well with no further concerns.

Bransten, however, has had a wicked cough since the fire. His medical provider ran tests that will be sent to HCMC for further review. We are waiting to know more about this.

MAY 13TH UPDATE:

Katie had a break from surgery today, her next surgery is scheduled for later this week.

More conversations were had today regarding how to proceed with Katie’s treatments.

Prayers to help guide her medical team and offer comfort for her family would be appreciated.

Gabriel had a great night last night and didn’t require extra visits from his medical team.

Gabe also had his first bowel movement, which is great news in the medical world. He was able to have his catheter removed today as well. This may seem small, but we are taking any wins at the moment!

We are hoping tomorrow is another successful day!

MAY 14th UPDATE:

Today, Katie’s medical team attempted to titrate her off some medications, but those medications were started again due to negative effects.

Today was another break day from surgery for Katie, but tomorrow her third surgery is scheduled.

During Katie’s first Acute Burn Surgery her medical team worked on her torso, second was her legs, and her third will be on her arms. Due to the severity of her burns, this could be a more difficult surgery than the previous two.

During Acute Burn Surgery, Debridement and BTM Application are being done.

Debridement involves removing all dead skin to reach healthy, bleeding tissue underneath.

Then BTM (Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix) is placed, this is being used as a skin substitute.

The BTM allows the tissue underneath to grow into the BTM and form a solid wound bed suitable for eventual skin grafting.

Continued prayers for Katie’s surgical team and family are appreciated!

Gabriel had another great day! His catheter remains out and he’s had multiple bowl movements. Unfortunately, his ventilator and sedation remain. But, his medical team is no longer suctioning soot from his lungs.

MAY 15TH UPDATE:

Katie had her third Acute Burn Surgery today. Unfortunately, the family received some devastating determinations. They will be having a meeting over the weekend to discuss the next steps.

Gabe has a case of the wiggles (moving his hands and feet), but he is still mildly sedated due to the ventilator. His medical team is hoping to have the ventilator out within a week. It was stated that children Gabe’s age (3) seem to be the hardest to wean off ventilators. Once the ventilator is out, he will be transferred to PEDS to continue his care.

MAY 17TH UPDATE:

Auntie Crystal and the kiddos road tripped to HCMC early this morning for a visit, which is about a two hour drive one way.

Evangeline was so excited to show off her kindergarten graduation photo her teacher took this week. It is proudly being displayed in her mom’s room.

Andrew, Grandma Mindi, and the kiddos are having a sleepover at the apartment from Firefighters for Healing tonight, they were in need of some time together. (photo attached)

This is the first time Andrew has stayed somewhere besides the hospital since May 8th, when Katie and Gabriel were admitted. Auntie Crystal is filling in as Gabe’s sleepover buddy.

Katie has been taken off some medications due to some health concerns being managed. She is scheduled for some lab work later tonight, which will give her medical team an update on how she’s doing internally. Her next surgery is scheduled for Monday, which again may lead to some hard decisions.

Gabriel is currently being tapered off his stronger medications to help him wean off the ventilator. Gabriel’s medical team plan to wean him fully off his medications throughout the night, then tomorrow he’ll be on medication for pain management only.

Today, Gabe’s medical team has been taking him off the ventilator for small durations throughout the day, in hopes to have him fully off the ventilator tomorrow. He has been managing this well, and his medical team is feeling confident.

With this, his medical team has also been decreasing his sedation, which is giving him the wiggles.

Once the ventilator is done, Gabriel will be on BiPAP, which works by delivering pressurized air through a mask to keep airways open and facilitate breathing.

Tonight will be a big and exhausting night for Gabe.

Please continue to keep my brother and his family in your prayers.

MAY 19TH UPDATE:

Katie had her fourth Acute Burn Care surgery today, which has resulted in the family needing to make tough decisions. There will more to come on this after the care meeting is had.

Please continue to keep Katie and her family in your prayers.

Unfortunately, Gabriel has had a tough day.

With having the ventilator removed, Gabe’s medications were significantly decreased. This caused him to go through withdrawal symptoms. Gabriel’s medical team has been keeping a close eye on him throughout the day due to concerns with his quick breathing, which can be a sign of respiratory distress or other issues. Unfortunately, Gabe was placed back on the ventilator tonight, which means his medications will need to increase as well.

Understandably, my brother is struggling with this, for he does not want to watch his little guy go through withdrawals again.

Please keep Gabreil and my brother in your prayers. It looks like things are going to get harder before they get better.

MAY 20TH UPDATE:

There are hardly words to express the sorrow I’m sharing.

Today at 5:03pm, Bransten, Rosie, Evangeline, and Gabriel’s mommy, Katie, passed away.

Katie’s last deed in life was to save her baby from the fire that took their home. Gabriel is still with us due to her sacrifice, as well as Bransten’s, and we are forever grateful.

Katie, may the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

There are no updates for Gabriel tonight, other than the ventilator is helping him become more stable.

MAY 21ST UPDATE:

Gabriel had a big day, he was moved from the Burn Unit to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where his medical team will be more readily available.

Gabe’s medical team has begun to decrease his medications and level of ventilation in hopes to have him off the ventilator by this Friday.

Gabe has been on antibiotics due to a virus he had prior to the fire. Unfortunately, he now has phenomena as well, so he will be starting his antibiotics over to help this clear up.

MAY 23RD UPDATE:

Gabriel had a good day. He still remains in the PICU, but little by little he is progressing.

Gabe is still working on clearing up his lungs by taking his antibiotics and being on the ventilator. His medical team is hoping to have the ventilator removed by Tuesday, but we know this can chang at any point.

Gabe’s burn bandage on his hand has been removed and he is receiving topical cream for treatment. His burn on his side currenty has a patch that will remain there for five days.

Gabe was able to sit in a special chair today. While being transferred back to bed, dad and Auntie Katie were able to get a quick snuggle in.

MAY 25TH UPDATE:

Gabriel had a great day, his ventilator is out! Leading up to this, his medical team had him practice breaths by having his ventilator on pause for a few hours each day. Let the snuggles begin!

His medication regiment has changed due to him being off the vent and trying to prevent withdrawal as much as possible.

He’s had moments of confusion and crying, but he’s had lots of loved ones surrounding him to help him through this.

MAY 27TH UPDATE:

As stated on Sunday, Gabriel’s ventilator was removed and he’s been on high pressure oxygen since. We are hopeful this will change to regular oxygen tomorrow.

Unfortunately, Gabriel experienced withdrawl symptoms Sunday night. This resulted in him hallucinating and being awake most of the night.

Monday, he was doing better and today he has been awake and playing cars in his hospital bed, as well as taking a few naps with dad.

Grandma Mindi is still recovering from her 3rd degree foot burn, but she’s heading back “home” today to be with the other grandbabies. Evangeline on the otherhand missed her daddy, so she’s having an overnight with him while Auntie Crystal stays the night with Gabe.

Gabe is so loved! He’s been visited by Auntie Amanda every day since he’s been at the hospital, amugst many other visitors. We love you lots, Gabe!

MAY 28TH UPDATE:

This morning, Gabriel’s high pressure oxygen was removed. His stats were doing good, so his medical team kept oxygen off him and monitored his levels. It was determined his oxygen could remain off.

Later in the day, Gabriel removed his own feeding tube. Unfortunately, he was not ready for this and it needed to be replaced. Keep in mind, as of tomorrow it will be 3 weeks since he’s last eaten solid food.

Gabe is ready to be out of his hospital bed. He’s been given many activities to do, but they are just not enough for this active 3-year-old.

His sissy, Evangeline, was there for a visit again today. They snuggled and watched a show on daddy’s phone.

With Gabe’s big day, he is exhausted and ready for what we hope is a good night of sleep.

MAY 30TH UPDATE:

Today, Gabe spent his last day in the PICU. He now gets to come down a few levels and be on the PEDS floor. Yay, no more intensive care!

Gabe still has his feeding tube, but speech therapy provided him with his first “real” meal today, blended chicken with thickened juice. He enjoyed it!

Gabe continues to be surrounded by lots of love and support. Auntie Megan came to spend time with him, which he loved.

Continued thoughts and prayers are always appreciated for Gabe’s recovery and perseverance for Andrew. These have been some difficult weeks for him.

I know it’s been a minute since an update has been given on the other kiddos. Today, with Grandma Mindi and family, they celebrated Katie’s 30th birthday. Bransten, Rosalie, and Evangeline have had some big adjustments latey and they are trying to manage it the best they can. Prayers for comfort would be appreciated as they navigate through these tough times.

JUNE 1ST UPDATE:

Gabriel is thriving on the PEDS floor, however he still has a ways to go.

Gabe continues to have his feeding tube in, but he is doing great eating his modified foods and thickened drinks.

Gabe was able to ditch his hospital bed today and take his first real bath since May 8th. He also got to go on an adventure around the hospital with a wheelchair, which included visiting his previous medical team from the burn unit.

Gabe’s current medical team are still weaning him from his medication regiment, which is causing him to have some withdrawal symptoms. We are hopeful he’ll be done with this by the end of the week.

Gabe’s siblings and grandma Mindi came to visit today. Gabe’s eyes for real big and he asked for his brother, Bransten.

Bransten, Rosalie, and Evangeline spent the weekend with me, Auntie Katie, and Uncle Brandon where lots of fun was had with more aunties, uncles, and cousins. We are so fortunate to have a big loving family who are always willing to lend a helping hand! A few of the other aunties were hanging with Gabe at the hospital and giving Amdrew a much needed night of sleep.

JUNE 5TH UPDATE:

Gabriel has remained on the PEDS floor, we are hoping for discharge within the next week or so.

Gabe continues to have his feeding tube, but he has been approved for regular foods with thickened liquids. He’ll be tested for this today, hopefully he’ll be moved to regular liquids as well.

While Gabe was airbound with Uncle Charles, he kept saying he was hungry. When asked what he would eat if he could Gabe said, “cheeseburger and ice cream.” I’m happy to report, he’s gotten his cheeseburger and plenty of safe ice cream variations.

He is still working on weaning off his medications, we are hopeful his last day of these will be tomorrow.

He has been an active boy; wheelchair rides, wheelie car rides, playing in the toy room, and he’s starting to go on short walks to build his muscles.

His siblings have been a great source of encouragement and entertainment this week. They’re ready to be together again.

Continued thoughts and prayers are always appreciated.