Moments like these remind me how fortunate we are to have such great care close to home.
What started out as a normal weeknight turned into a very scary situation for our family. My seven-year-old daughter, Charlie, had just finished microwaving a bowl of ramen noodles while I was doing the dishes nearby. As she carried the hot bowl, she stumbled and, in an instant, the boiling water spilled all over her chest and stomach. Her tears and screams filled the kitchen as she frantically tried to remove her soaked shirt. I rushed to her side, cut off her shirt and grabbed an ice-cold rag to place on her chest. Seeing how badly she was burned, we raced to the car.
Within 15 minutes we had pulled into Bronson’s emergency department in Paw Paw and were seen within minutes of arriving. The nurses and support staff moved quickly to keep Charlie as comfortable as possible as we waited to be seen by the doctor. We saw Dr. Evan White. He was extremely helpful in getting her pain managed right away. He was attentive, thorough in his explanation of what our next steps would be and made sure Charlie was comfortable. He checked on her multiple times during our visit, and as a mom watching her child endure the worst pain of her life, I was incredibly grateful for his attention and kindness in those moments.
After Dr. White contacted the burn team in Kalamazoo, it was decided that Charlie would be sent home for the night and we would go to Bronson Burn and Wound Center in Kalamazoo the next morning.
From the moment we arrived at Bronson Burn and Wound Center to the time we left, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The front desk staff who checked us in were warm and welcoming. Meg, the child life specialist, was waiting for us and stayed throughout our appointment. Meg immediately connected with Charlie. She explained to Charlie that she was there to help keep her mind and hands busy during her appointment and offered fun art activities on her iPad. I could see the fear start to fade from Charlie’s face as she worked with Meg.
Beth Doorn, NP, is the provider who saw Charlie. I can say without a doubt that Beth is one of the kindest providers I have ever met. She was engaging and didn’t just speak to me as the parent, but intentionally involved Charlie in the conversation. She explained what she was going to do and asked Charlie if she wanted to be involved in the process. She took the time to teach Charlie why cleaning her burns was important and how it would help her heal. Many times during the treatment, Beth would tell Charlie how brave and tough she was. Even the nurse in the room could not believe Charlie was only 7! I could tell how much those words meant to her, and it made a very painful experience so much better for both of us.
I can’t fully express my gratitude to Beth and the entire team at Bronson Burn and Wound Center. Our family has come to Bronson to receive care for as long as I can remember, and moments like these remind me how fortunate we are to have such great care so close to home.
