I got off work early, and learned that my cousin was back home, so stopped off to get the latest news on my uncle's condition.
When I got there he said he'd just got home, and was taking a shower and heading back. His wife came in and asked why the car wouldn't start...long story short, the starter had taken a shit.
And it's their only vehicle.
So, since he was wanting to go back to the hospital and spend the night again with his dad, he asked me if I would run him over there. Of course I did.
He didn't look as bad as I feared. The lower half of his face has some severe burns, but not as bad as they could be, mainly deep skin damage, with a couple of small spots, one on his nose, the other on his cheek, with deep tissue damage that will require skin grafts.
Also, on one arm, and one knee, he will need skin grafts. He was wearing coveralls, but there were holes in the knees, and he didn't have the cuffs fastened, so those areas were burned.
I'd understood he had burns over his whole body, but his forearms, knees, and face were the only places burned...where he wasn't covered by clothing.
He was awake for a bit while I was there, but can't speak due to the ventilator tube in his throat. The swelling has gone down in his face, and in his throat some, which the doctor said is a good sign.
When he woke up this morning he motioned that he wanted a pen and paper, and his son brought him one. His first words...
"I really didn't want to go to work today anyway." LMAO...he's in good spirits, and other than wanting the tube out, seemed to be doing well, all things considered. He was more concerned about the others he worked with (no one else was hurt) and the damage to the plant. He's the maintenance supervisor, so go figure.
He'll be on the ventilator for another day or two, but once the swelling in his throat has gone down they will remove it. It is more a precautionary measure than a necessity.
He said he wasn't hurting to much today, but itched all over, another good sign as that means his body is starting to heal itself already. They gave him a Benyadryl shot, and that took care of the itching.
Then after I got home, and hour each way and spent an hour there before the nurses kicked me out, I had to make up five large batches of Amish Peanut Butter Spread. If you've never had the stuff, it's delicious. But it's also messy to make, since it has peanut butter, corn syrup, honey, and marshmallow creme in it.
I filled twenty pint jars, a homemade Christmas gift to family members. Then I had to clean up the messy kitchen...
SOOOO, it's almost 11 and I'm off to bed shortly, I'm TIRED!
Thanks to much to each and every one of you for your positive thoughts, prayers, and concern.
Dirtycopper