Copeland Family Fire

Whitney (5:22pm PST, Friday 8/19/22) These pictures were taken 5 months apart. The one on the left was taken in the hospital. It is Pepper’s left hand, the first time we saw it after she had it fully grafted. I remember it being like Christmas, counting down the days until they unwrapped it. If this picture is difficult to look at, please know I’m very choosy on pictures I post and leave the “scary” ones out.  It was one of the best days in the hospital. Seeing her whole hand covered in fresh skin with a 95% graft take. We laughed about how her fingernails looked like something from a fairytale like witch story. The moment they gave us the thumbs up we did a manicure, and that cheered her up a bit.  The one on the right is her left hand today. It is so smooth and function-able. She will need another surgery in the near future to release her pointer finger and pinky.  Her right hand had a release surgery a week ago and has been in a cast ever since. The Doctor will unwrap it on Monday,

Whitney (12:40pm PST, Thursday 8/11/22) This gal has surgery #45 tomorrow! She will have several z-plasties (z shaped incisions) to release the thickening scars on her face. She will also have a release done on her right hand, which is contracting at a very fast pace.  Many of you are asking, what a release is. It is a release done on the thickening scars, that are contracting everyday. They contract to the point that over joints, and burned areas no longer can fully function. A graft (a piece of skin) is taken from a healthy area on the body and put in place to the injured part, allowing the joints and parts of the body to function again.  Pepper’s right hand is no longer able to do certain things. It is very painful if bumped or stretched. She is nervous but looking forward to having a functioning hand again. This is a big weekend for the Copeland family. Krew is still in the OR. It’s been 5 hours.

Whitney (10:34 PST, Wednesday 8/10/22) These two have surgery tomorrow morning. They both have expressed a bit of nervousness, but we know these surgeries will only continue our recovery. Krew will go first. Surgery #15. He will have a release on his right hand/fingers allowing his fingers to straighten and improve hand dexterity. He will have a “club” aka cast in place for 2 weeks. Krew will also have work done on the right side of his face. His right ear and jaw will be released. Along with his right eye. His eye will be sewn shut for 5 days.  Kyle will go next. Surgery #6. His eyes have contracted again, making it very difficult to be in light of any kind. His eyes water almost constantly and are extremely red and irritated. Kyle will have a release on both eyes and have both eyes sewn shut for 5 days also.  We have a different sister flying in to help for the weekend. We feel beyond blessed and spoiled for this commitment as we know it is challenging for our caregivers to put their

Whitney (1:39pm PST, Monday 8/8/22) We are doing our best to get into somewhat of a routine. I was standing in a Target all by myself at 9pm one night after tucking the kids in and I found my self on the office supply aisle. I was staring at the whiteboards trying to decide which would best assist me with my attempt to organize a shattered life. I started bawling. First out of overwhelm, wondering what the heck are you trying to do? I had no idea where to start, and started questioning my abilities. Then the shift. Gratitude poured in, through me. Here I was standing in a Target with the opportunity to plan and schedule for my family, as a whole. I was so taken with gratitude I started to cry even harder. Kyle got them out. I am forever grateful for the ability and opportunity to schedule appointments, meals and entertainment for our sweet kiddos. I keep having little moments like these and they take me by surprise and catch me when I least expect it. I walked out that night with a $10