For those of you that follow my twitter feed, you know that we were in the hospital last week with this girlie.
Five years ago, on Feb 9, she was burned terribly (3rd degree burns) on over 20% of her body. She was in the ICU for two weeks in an induced coma. They put her in that coma because the pain was too great to stand awake. When they put her in that coma, they told us that there was a chance she wouldn’t wake up. For two weeks we weren’t sure she would live through, and in spite of, her injuries.
But she did.
Two long months spent in the hospital, through countless surgeries, and she lived.
Our lives were changed forever the day her t-shirt caught fire. We live with those changes everyday, and we will for the rest of our lives.
Six years later, and her suffering still isn’t complete…she had to go in for an armpit reconstruction last Tuesday. The scar tissue in her armpit has contracted to the point that she can not lift her arm to even a 45 degree angle. It had to be released and reworked. We were in the hospital through the end of the week and spent most of this weekend sleeping it off. Thankfully, her skin “took” to its new location and she is already able to move her armpit more.
Today she woke up, found me, and proclaimed, “Mom! I happy! I better!”
So we are on the road back to normal.
xo
Tara
edited: I did my math wrong in the original post. Her accident was Feb 9 2005, which makes it five years ago, not six.
I’m glad the surgery went well and that she is feeling better.
I <3 Makenna :)
This is such wonderful news. You had just started writing about her accident when I started reading your blog. There were many prayers and tears as I logged in each day to see how you all were doing. I am so glad to hear she is doing well. She is a very special girl. I have enjoyed watching your family grow over the years. Thank you for sharing them with us.
So happy it all went well….you are in my thoughts!!!
wow. i can’t believe it has been six years. that’s when i also started to get to know you and your amazing family.
i’m so glad she’s here.
Glad she is getting better
So glad she is feeling better.
truly wonderful news tara!
I’m so happy for your family.
W O W. Sweet McKenna’s hospital stay was when I first started reading your blog. Six years ago … Seriously? That’s longer than my son has been alive! Girl, no wonder I feel like we’re practically family!!
Precious post about an even more precious girl. McKenna amazes me with her strength and resiliency, as do you. THANK YOU for sharing her and the rest of your beautiful brood with all of us!
my thoughts are with you…glad it sounds like it’s getting better.
glad that’s she’s doing better. you’re a wonderful mom…
What beautiful, happy words!! I saw the thread on Twitter and remembered back to several years ago when I’d first ‘discovered’ you. Hard to believe it’s been that long, but I hope you know so many of us continue to laugh and cry with you and your beautiful family, and your beautiful photographs.
what good news.
Glad McKenna is doing better. I can’t believe it’s been six years. That sweet girls face always makes me smile. I hope everything heals quickly.
Smiles
Ria
Oh my goodness! I’m so happy to hear that McKenna’s procedure went well and that she’s feeling better. Poor you, Momma! I know that it must be heart wrenching for you. XO
Dear Tara,
My heart goes out to you and your family & esp.
miss Mckenna, she is truly a gift!
I am so happy she is okay and has been able
to continue spreading her joyful happy face to
your family and those around you! I hope she continues to heal!
burns are VERY scary! I know in 2007 when Michael was burned,
it was the scariest time of my life!
Lots of love,
tara
SO happy for you guys! Seems like she wouldn’t be a Whitney if she wasn’t a born fighter. :) Big hugs and hope you feel that weight lifting off your shoulders a bit!
I’m so glad she’s okay! Wow that must have been such a scary, lifechanging event. Wow….
sending nothing but happy thoughts and big warm cyber hugs to you and your little girl….
glad your little precious is feeling better.
wow your story really touched me.. I hadn’t read it before the post from a year after the accident. I know that fear.. my oldest son almost died from a burst appendix its a long story but suffice it to say.. I so feel you sitting in that hospital waiting for news filled with worry and fear.. and am so so happy that she is doing so great.. with it all.. its funny how changed you come out of situations like these.. How you remember every moment every person every smell and sound.. Much love to you all.
Tara, I had no idea that that had happened to McKenna…to all of you. I am so sorry. Wow. I read the post you linked to and just cried. I cannot imagine the terror of that experience. I am so glad that you are all healing. Somehow that happens along the way. Partly intentionally and partly before we know it pieces come together and heal.
she’s amazing and you all are too.
i can’t get past the fact that she’s fourteen! i still think of her as ten.
So relieved to hear you are all finally home and that she is already on the road to recovery, a tough cookie that one! Sending you all my love. :)
My thoughts and wishes go out to her and your family for a speedy recovery.
So glad that McKenna is feeling happy and better now. :)
So glad that she is happy, we will keep her in our prayers.
oh wow, tara, i had no idea. so glad she’s doing well! i’ll be praying for mckenna to continue on the road of healing!
Glad that McKenna is doing well
I remember when it happened, and reading what you all went through. So wonderful that McKenna is feeling happy and better!
So glad to hear that you are on the mend. Having loved ones in hospital is very stressful.
So glad the surgery went well Tara. Big hugs to McKenna and mommy!
Glad to hear she´s doing fine !!!!
Blessings to you both as she heals.
So glad to hear that she’s doing well after surgery!! Can’t imagine how difficult the accident was for all of you…It’s wonderful to hear happy news! :-)
ah McKenna – you brave brave clever girl – and lots of strongs to Mommy and Daddy. xx
suffering, of any kind, for a child can wrench a mother’s [parent’s] heart to point of true agony….my heart goes out to you and my prayers for swift and awesome recovery are going up hourly for your daughter. Yay for better days.
wow. her joy finished my tears off! i’m so glad that she’s okay. xo. :)
such incredible courage and strength. so happy for you guys. I hope all continues on this path of happiness!! <3
this is so touching. i read the link from the “one year” mark. i am crying from the emotion i feel through this story!! you are blessed and God is amazing. I am happy that she is ok and happy. God Bless
Tara ~ My love, thoughts and prayers are with you. Hang in there sister. Give that sweet girl of yours a big hug for me.
So glad that she is feeling better! The recovering is sometimes the hardest part. Hugs to her and you!
Hardest thing int the world to see our children in pain and it changes us forever. I’m so glad McKenna is doing well and what sweet words those must have been to hear. You are an amazing person.
She is so lucky to have you as her mama honey. More x’s and o’s.
K
So glad to hear she is feeling “On the Road” Back to normal. I will say a little prayer for your family.
Sending lots of healing and rest vibes to sweet Mckenna. :)
Lots of love to the Whitney’s, Mckenna, heal well and quickly!
Gosh, just hearing my kid say that would make me cry! Isn’t that really all we want as parents? To have our children safe, healthy, and happy? She looks great! Love the picture.
So glad everything came through okay!
She’s a brave girl! And you both have the love and positive thoughts of all of your blog readers for support. I may not know you, but I can offer my prayers and best wishes for strength and recovery.