Copeland Family Fire

Whitney (11:30 am PST, Sunday, 2/20/22) Pepper is off to surgery #25 this morning. I’m sitting in her empty hospital room. I’m just thinking about the events of the night, 8 weeks ago.  We still haven’t seen our two middle children since the accident. My heart aches for them. We will be reunited soon, plans are underway.  I wanted to share some details that we haven’t shared yet. This is from Pepper’s perspective and maybe one day she’ll be able to share more detail and her own feelings. But for now I’ll share what I know.  Pepper has always been a very mature girl. With a natural maternal instinct. She’s drawn to babies, and small children. But not only drawn to but could be fully trusted in her capabilities in caring for and loving a child from the age of 9. She’s special and I have no doubt will be one of the kindest mothers one day.  She was a protector that night. When her daddy entered the bus she was seen standing between the flames and her 3 year old brother,...

Whitney (12:20pm PST, Friday, 2/18/22) I woke up feeling angry today. Angry and emotionally tired. Probably from the whiplash effect of the news we received. We thought progress was being made, that grafts were being placed today. That anger quickly turned to feeling defeat. Then feelings of wanting to give up. To quit.  I find myself at times living cautiously. The belief is, when I’m cautious or reserved I won’t get hurt. That’s a lie. It still hurts, you just outwardly don’t show it as much. I’m learning though. Learning to open up, get excited and hopeful. Being vulnerable is a learned behavior, that I’m still learning. The blessings are rich from being vulnerable.  I found strength in your messages today. I found strength in great friends, and complete strangers. You reminded me, we’ve got this. God has us. And if God has us we cannot fail and we won’t fall! After her surgery this morning she came back freezing (as usual). She asked me to get really near and cuddle her. I...

Whitney (9:00 AM PST, Friday, 2/18/22) The cultures taken from multiple areas on Pepper’s body came back positive. Her body is covered in a multi resistant strain of bacteria. This type of bacteria loves burns, and she has a lot of burns. No grafts today. Taking her to the OR now to scrub her. Tomorrow shower. She is at risk for sepsis, which is very dangerous.

Written by Kyle (3:15pm PST, Wednesday, 2/16/22) This is what remains of our home. We sold our house and most of our things to travel full time across America. She took two years to build and our blood, sweat, and tears went into creating her. She provided a wonderful space and we truly enjoyed life on the road. It was a dream.  Looking at the picture now, I feel a great degree of gratitude we were all able to get out. It truly is a miracle.  As I sit here listening to Pepper sleep, I am inspired by her strength, courage, and kindness. Life is sometimes hard, real hard, but always for our good and growth if we choose to see it. We are grateful for the time we had as we traveled from Maine to Utah. I personally feel like I lost a dear friend, but we will recover and begin a new wonderful phase of life, whatever that may be. Some of our bodies may be damaged, but our family loves one another and God deeply. Although we will have trials and challenges we will also have beauty and...

Whitney Copeland (1:04pm PST, Saturday, 2/12/22) This is what I woke up to this morning. A very quiet house. I love them both more than words could ever describe. Like it hurts if I think about it too long.  I went to the grocery store yesterday. Krew came with me. It was a good dose of normal, I think we both needed. We just needed one thing. A tiny screwdriver to put batteries into a new remote-control car he received as a gift. We finally found this tiny but much needed tool after searching every aisle.  People are so kind. The “Oh hello handsome boy” and “what a cutie” remarks were around every corner, and in every encounter while in the store and parking lot. I can see the initial reaction in their eyes. It’s like a slap in the face. Reminding me that this is our new normal. It’s a look of pity. Which isn’t a negative thing. If we feel pity, it can be a good indication that we are blessed and grateful for our own circumstances. I’ve had that same feeling looking on others...

Whitney Copeland (11:13pm PST, Thursday, 2/10/22) Pepper’s last surgery went well. Her arms from shoulder to wrist have been grafted, with her skin. She has to keep her arms as straight as possible for the next few days to allow the grafts to heal.  Pepper has started to show signs of tolerance and dependency on one of the current pain medications she is on. They started weaning her off of it yesterday and started a new one today. She is in a lot of pain, there will be a lag in the new med as it needs to build up in her system. She is hurting everywhere and it’s extremely difficult to move her around.  We did convince her to go outside for about 15 minutes today. It was the first time in 6 weeks that she had been outside. I temper the first time I felt sun on my face since the accident (about 2 weeks in). Things so simple are usually taken for granted. We closed our eyes and pretended the breeze was from the beach, and the palm trees overhead helped us imagine it! It was a nic...

Whitney Copeland (9:40pm PST, Monday, 2/7/22) 1 ambulance ride. 1 life flight. 39 days in the PICU. 10 surgeries. That’s what Krew has experienced thus far. After a big bowel movement and a hearty breakfast,  they decided to send him off. The hardest part was having Pepper say goodbye knowing she won’t see him for a few months. COVID limits the visitors to just parents and grandmas.  Krew is quickly becoming acquainted with the house and getting a little too comfortable with being an only child. Krew has a lot of trauma to work around. Currently the grafts on his arms are hard for him to look at. A lot of the area is scabbed over and needing multiple applications of lotion daily. It is a screaming wrestling match for about 5-7 minutes. Touch is difficult anywhere on his body. One day those touches won’t scare him but for now the trauma of the last bit of his life is in the forefront of his mind.  We decided to rent a home here in Vegas. Pepper will still be in the hospita...

Whitney Copeland (4:12PM PST, Sunday, 2/6/22) The Doctors from the PICU and the burn care team met earlier this week and determined it would be best to keep Pepper intubated (breathing tube) and heavily sedated since she would be going to the OR daily this week. This would allow them to sedate her and keep her medicated more often to keep her out of pain. One of the PICU doctors who shared with us that the resilience and motivation she is showing is outstanding for a girl in her situation spoke up and was an advocate for her. He loved that Pepper was cheering Krew on from his wheelchair to take a few more steps.  He saw a glimpse of motivation from her that he didn’t want to see tainted if the breathing tube stayed in place for days. He also mentioned how mature she is and wanted to allow her the chance to have a say in being intubated for 5+ days. We really appreciated this, as did Pepper. She contemplated it and decided that if the anesthesiologist decided that medically she need...

Whitney Copeland (5:45pm PST, Saturday, 2/5/22) We are asking extra prayers for Pepper. We have found out the fever on her birthday and at the beginning of this week are due to an extensive staph infection in her shoulder and back. She has gone to surgery three times this week, to scrub away and scrape as much infection away from her burns. They have removed all synthetic graphs from her upper body. It is a very aggressive approach and the Dr’s all agreed it is appropriate with the amount of infection. She will have surgery #21 tomorrow morning, for yet another scrub. We will be back to square one with her upper body, once the infection is cleared.  Today her blood pressure is lower than usual indicating her body may be under more distress than her outward appearance and sweet spirit may be showing. They have started her on two extremely strong antibiotics,  and they are really trying to get ahead of this before it gets out of hand and potentially life threatening.  Today...

Whitney Copeland (5:16am PST, Friday, 2/4/2022) Kyle had his first outpatient appointment at the burn clinic. His ears and grafts around his eyes are healing nicely. The regiment on his ears changed up a bit, making it much easier for him to care for them. He will have weekly visits moving forward!  We saw an ophthalmologist on Thursday. Kyle was moderately burned in his right eye, severely burnt in his left. Which explains why he can see very little out of his left. At this point the Dr. says it’s too early to know how much the eyes will heal further, but he is optimistic for improvement as it is still early in the recovery stage. Kyle will start steroid drops to help his eyes heal. It has been a big anxiety for him and I both.  Kyle has an appointment with plastics on Monday to check out the grafts under his eyes, and hopefully remove the top layer of Integra around his eyes. His hands are healing great and require hourly stretching or the skin will start to contract. He wea...

Whitney Copeland (10:20pm PST, Wednesday, 2/2/22) Our Krew has met some major milestones the last few days! He hates when OT walks in the room to help him walk, telling them “No!” He always gets up and does what they ask. He may cry and whine the whole time, but he eventually gets the job done. All the staff love to spoil him and bribe him with little hot wheel cars and stickers. He’s improving his walking each day!  Today, all the dressings on his arms came off, for good! His grafts have adhered beautifully. Lots and lots of lotion for months to come. The hospital measured him for his compression garments today, and we may have those as early as 2 weeks. Plastics also are so happy with how his face is turning out.  Right now,  Krew’s biggest struggle is going poop. He is so impacted from all the pain meds, he is vomiting almost after every meal, because he is so full! So,  we are praying for a big one tonight! He continues to eat very small amounts, so opposite to w...

Whitney Copeland (8:42pm PST, Tuesday, 2/1/22) Look at our girl go! Today she asked her doctor,  “What exercises can I be doing to get off all these pills?”  Determination. Grit. Perseverance. Strength. #Copelandstrong

Whitney Copeland (1:31 pm PST, Monday, 1/31/22) Pepper’s birthday started out with a surgery #16 at 7am. After she came back from surgery and recovered a bit, she was ready to start her day! Every morning the first thing she asks for is her tiara. So, we got that polished and put on her beautiful little head. She got in her wheelchair for a couple hours and decided to go to “the playroom”. A little room they have set up here for patients to get out of their room it’s full of toys and different paintings and murals on the walls it’s a nice place to just be to listen to music. At first, she didn’t want to go out complaining that maybe there was anything for her to do because she can’t move her hands and arms yet. I convinced her to try and when we got in there the staff had a little surprise party for her with presents, and a banner with her name on it. We sang to her, and that contagious smile spread across her face. We bought her a cake, and she was adamant that she needed to wait for ...

Macey Jones (Pepper's aunt, Whitney's sister, 12:30pm EST, Friday, 1/28/22) I can remember Whitney running down the road from her and Kyle's apartment across the lake with a positive pregnancy test. We were all in shock and couldn't believe it was really happening. I remember laying on the floor before Kyle left to basic training and brainstorming with them names. I still remember us all saying Pepper over and over in practice for our sweet and spicy baby. How fitting her name is! I can remember for the last few months of Whitney's pregnancy while Kyle was in basic training Whitney and Kolby (their beloved dog) slept with me. I would as quietly as possible slip out of my bed at 4:30am for early morning seminary trying not to disturb the pregnant woman who was growing the family's princess. I remember on the weekends jumping out of bed and making a cup of hot cocoa and delivering it to Whitney so I could lay next to her and feel all the kicks Pepper had to offe...

Whitney Copeland (6:45am PST, Wednesday, 1/26/22) We are so grateful to be celebrating our Krew today. You are a blessing in our lives and one of the greatest adventures we could ever enjoy. Love you big guy! Here’s to another wonderful year enjoying this beautiful life! Krew is 4 years old today!

 Julie Kerr (3:27am PST, Tuesday, 1/25/22) She's going to move mountains! Pepper Anne, you bring tears of joy to Mimi's eyes!

Pepper’s Uncle Skyler, (Whitney’s brother, 2:06 pm MST, Tuesday, 1/25/22)  Sorry if this picture is too much for some of you, but this is my niece, Pepper. Before this accident, her mother was one of the toughest people I'd ever known. Pepper Anne is all of her mama and a bit more! I look up to her strength and motivation, something we can all learn from, and be motivated from. When they ask Pepper to do 10 exercises, she does 12! When they ask her to raise her arm or her leg to a certain point, she pushes through and goes higher. She is pushing through the pain and pushing past the goals because she's a fighter! She's all heart right now. Her motivation is her family, many of whom she hasn't seen for a month. Look into those eyes and tell me this doesn't motivate you! I'm so proud to be her uncle and so proud of what this young lady has taught me in the past few weeks. We can do hard things; we can do impossible things. Pepper is my hero! I want to grow up and ...

Whitney Copeland (2:25am PST, Tuesday, 1/25/22) More progress! These two kids just keep amazing us.  Krew got out of his bed for the first time in a month. He enjoyed a ride around the unit in a wheelchair. If anyone knows Krew they know his love of wheels. He was so so happy! He even got a visit from daddy yesterday and they enjoyed part of Krew’s favorite movie, Cars. It was so good to see him smile, he bonded with daddy. Krew is still going through withdrawal symptoms and struggled last night, projectile vomiting resulting in his NG tube to come out, 2 times now. Days like today make those things bearable and help to keep us looking forward.  Pepper just keeps amazing us! She was asked to sit on the edge of her bed for 15 minutes. She denied the opportunity to lay down and stayed sitting (on her own, for the 1st time) for 30 minutes!! When she was asked to do 10 reps, she would do 12. When she was told go this high, she would go higher. I was so proud of her. She chose to d...

Whitney Copeland (5:00 AM PST, Saturday, 1/22/22) Pepper did well with her shower yesterday, the Dr. was very pleased with how her wounds are looking. The cadaver skin on her arms, torso, and back are adhering well. They will take her in Monday for #14 to remove the cadaver skin and put a different synthetic skin down. This will be extensive and a long procedure, her legs and feet will have to wait until later next week. She still has a good appetite, and requests food like a pregnant lady would, we are so happy to oblige. Her pain is uncontrolled at times but they are working diligently to get it under control. 27 days, building tolerance to these medications are definitely an issue it’s a challenge these drs are willing to take on.  Krew had a chest x-ray this morning and his lung had significantly improved, prayers are working! He is also off the paralytic medication and I saw his eyes and smile for the first time in 8 days! It was glorious. Just what this mama heart needed afte...

Whitney Copeland (10:50 pm PST, Friday, 1/21/22) 13 surgeries and 25 days in for this brave, strong, beautiful survivor.  Pepper asked me today, “mommy you know those nice people that got stuff off of our bus? Did they find my iPod?”  She found out today, that someone replaced her iPod touch that she received from Santa 2 days before the accident, it’s all she asked for this Christmas. She sobbed and sobbed. I asked her if she was ok.  “People are just so kind, mommy.”  I love your heart baby girl, I’m so proud of you, you are a beautiful soul. 💕  #Copelandstrong

Whitney Copeland  (Thursday, 1/20/22)  Pepper had #13 today, they snuck a quick one in on Wednesday. She has a synthetic graft on the right side of her face, and chin called Integra. (Made from shark cartilage) It is a synthetic graft that prepares her skin for a real skin graft, later. It is meticulously sewn into place. The plastic team also worked on her hands today. A synthetic layer was placed on her hands, that will stay most likely 1 week up to 2 weeks and then skin grafts. She was in a lot of pain when she came back, but it is controlled for now and she was able to nap. She was ready to eat dinner! She is off to the shower room today.  Kyle had #4 today. They made a small incision under each eye and took a graft from his collar bone and put it in the incision to add length to allow his eyelid to close fully. They also put Integra on his upper eyelids and on the bridge of his nose. He came back from recovery with his eyes sewn shut. They may be shut for up to a wee...

  Courtney Worthington (Kyle’s younger sister, Wednesday, 1/19/22)  On Friday, January 14th, my drill team (dance team) girls surprised me by telling me they each got the t-shirt that is being used to fundraise for my brother and his family. It was a shock, and I was so grateful that they would do that for me. I also found out that their parents and family members also got the t-shirt and all of them were planning to wear it to our competition the next day. Days after the accident happened, I had a practice with them, and it was the first time I had smiled that week. The drill team girls have seen me in the most raw positions. When my brother called me to talk to me, I was in the middle of a practice, and they saw the tears stream down my face and they each held on to me and told me it was going to be ok. Teenagers these days are pretty incredible. On Saturday, January 15th, I showed up to the school bus to travel going to our competition in my own special shirt to find all th...

  Whitney Copeland (8:25 pm, Tuesday, 1/1//22) I’ve just put a more itemized type update off for a while. You beautiful people just keep asking for specific things that can be prayed for. Things change so quickly around here we just hold our breaths and send up little prayers as the new information comes in. So here are some milestones to rejoice and some side steps we have encountered. Kyle’s grafts taken from his thigh have healed ever so nicely. One graft on his neck and one on the back of each of his hands. The staples have been completely removed from his neck and one hand. His right hand has a few staples left, the graft needed a little more time, they may come out Wednesday. I’ve had the opportunity to shower him 2 times this week helping him wrap his hands (to protect his bandages), assisting him to wash, and the tedious work of removing all scabs and dead tissue from his face, mainly around his eyes. His face is healing beautifully, the doctors are very impressed. His eyes...