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tania 09-Feb-2012 18:46
Hi. I found your pictures researching for 3rd degree wound pics for a project I am doing for my class. They turned out to be pretty helpfull. I just want to thanks u for taking the time to post them. Good luck!!
Rob Ecob 29-Oct-2011 17:38
Hello Matt from Cambridge, Ontario Canada. I have just had the most amazing hour or so going through your amazing record of your ordeal with your legs. While putting with my vintage motorcycle I accidentally severed my tibialis anteria tendon on my right ankle/shin, close to where your injury was. Seventeen weeks later the tendon repair is successful, but the remaining skin wounds have resulted in two surgeries for a hole that would not heal, recent secondary infection and a re-opening of all scars for debridement. The surgeon is talking skin graft, and taking note of your brave ordeal I now have a better ideas of the forthcoming possible goods and uglies. Thank you so very much for the amazing recollection of what you endured, with a seemingly positive attitude most times.From your work picture seems like we may have similar work, CAD design etc.? Stay well.
Jenna 06-Oct-2011 01:30
Matt:
I found this because I was looking for examples of healthy (and not healthy) skin grafts after several months of healing. I contracted MRSA and psuedomonas from having a small cut sutured at a hospital, and lost skin in an area about 8x10 inches, along with the underlying fat, 3 out of 4 arteries, 3/4 major nerves, a major vein, and about 1/3 of my calf muscle. They rotated two muscle flaps in two separate surgery, and I had veins from my other leg sewn in to bridge the gap in arteries and the vein. The arterial grafts did not take, for unknown reasons... so I've got full return blood supply now, but only one supplying artery. Healing was so very slow - I had a wound vac over the flaps for a month (and had it for 2.5 months prior to the flap rotation, while they tried to kill the infection) and then had my skin graft. I spent months in the hospital, over a year in a walking boot, and ended up with a VERY well healed graft site. however, I've been told this week that despite the graft and flaps healing well, it appears I still have infection either in the bone itself or in an abcess around the bone (tibia). Got me wondering what a healthy graft looks like healed, what one looks like that's hiding an infection... and got me quite curious about others who have had muscle flaps, and what they ended up looking like. Thank you so much for taking the time to record this - I haven't taken photos of my leg in months. But like you, I DID take pictures as the infection started and progressed and then after the MANY surgeries to remove tissue. Only thing I missed is getting shots of the muscle flap during a wound-vac dressing change; the nurse was very anti-photos.

I'm glad you've got your leg sorted and healed - It looks amazingly good compared to how it COULD have ended up.
Krista 13-May-2011 00:45
Dear Matt,

As I'm sure you've read before, I came here because my 9 yr old son was caught playing with matches after a "friend" brought over a lighter. Thankfully no one was hurt, no damage was done. I wanted him to see just how things could have gone tragically wrong. I made him look at every photo and it made a huge impact on him. He wanted me to tell you that he was very sorry for what he did, that what he did was stupid, and he would never do it again.

Thank you for your courage to show your injury and recovery. I cannot imagine what you've been through and am glad to read you've recovered from your burns. I am truly grateful that you could make an impact on my son in a way I could not.

Bless you,
Krista from FL
Michelle Clark 07-Mar-2011 22:03
My son is doing a 7th grade term paper on hear injuries. I wanted him to see the trials and types of treatment that a burn victim has to experience so that he could get the full gravitation of how serious and lengthy treatment is. I am a nurse myself and was able to explain the process to him with the help of your postings. When I asked him how he felt or if he had anything to say he stated "Thank You for the pictures. It looked really hard for you." So as a Mom, health care worker, and a teacher I would like to express my gratitude as well. This will help him on his paper.

Sincerely,

Mom and Son of Raleigh, NC March 7, 2011
Lisa Sailor 18-Feb-2011 08:50
I have had Multiple Sclerosis for 20 yrs and have been in a wheelchair for 17 yrs. I accidentally stumbled on our photo journal and forced myself to look at each photo. What a great reminder to those of us with very little or no feeling to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL around things that can cause burns. Thanks for the visual warning to the wheeling community. God bless.
Louise 20-Dec-2010 23:46
Thank you for taking the time to record and post your burn photos. I find science and the human body fascinating in its normal and abnormal (disease, burns, surgery, etc.) states. I had no idea that a 3rd degree burn would heal with such difficulty. The very first photo it didn't look that bad at all. It just shows how deep the damage can go with burns. I have a very low threshold for pain. I cannot even fathom the pain you went through. I cannot fathom the pain that others who have large % of burns over their body. Being burned is one of my great fears.

Ok, now I will have to check out your animal photos as I am an animal lover!
Sunny 19-Dec-2010 19:51
Thankyou for posting these photos. I had third degree burns to my hand about two weeks ago and am wondering if the skin would heal without a graft on one of the fingers because there is no skin where the skin under the nail should be and my fingernail look like its 2inches long. Your photos help me understand the healing process more fully. Thank you so much for being so detailed. This was helpful to me. Good luck in your recovery, you sould like a very strong (mentally) and good guy!
Alex 12-Oct-2010 18:32
Glad ur doing well. My name is Alex and I had a horrible burn experience. I am an amateur pyrotechnician. I miked a one pound batch of black powder. Wow! the stuff was really powerful because as I was transferring it into a container it blew up right into my face. How my vision was not impaired, God only knows. Well I am a stubborn Gypsy and did not go to the hospital. The right side of my face LITERALLY looked like fried chicken: No doubt a 3rd degree burn. Well, my girlfriend is Chinese. She treated me with a Chinese method called skin regeneration moist therapy. It involved a Chinese herbal ointment called "Mebo." And, without any excision or grafts it fully healed in about a month. The basis of this Chinese method is inserting "stem cells" into the burn and allow them to regenerate skin. It was amazing! My burn was quite worse than yours. Only thing is that I now need to be careful of being in the sun. and I have slightly mottled skin tone. [not really a big deal.] Maybe some other readers will benefit from the method my girlfriend used upon me.
If hell has fire in it...I am gonna make sure I be a good boy!
Burns are HELL...!
Alex
Guest 07-Oct-2010 08:49
Thanks for sharing. I am a makeup artist working on a tv drama in New Zealand and needed reference photos. You've been through a lot! Well done.
lisa 22-Aug-2010 23:52
hi there matt, randomely just came across pics of your leg burns, didnt think it would be right to browse through and not leave a comment. you are so so brave! that looked terribly painful, i could not imagine how sore that must have been, at one point it looked like it was set to heal then split right open again, how awful, you are an inspiration to burns victims, thats quite a journey, so good to finally see pics of it healing up, glad you are well, take care
sincerely lisa x
Rachael 03-Aug-2010 03:41
Thank you for sharing your journies! Beautiful family! I too was looking for burn photo's for my children and ran across your photos.
Guest 11-Jun-2010 09:15
Matt,

We work with Aunt Cindy~ She is AWESOME!!!! Love the pictures of her 60th!!! In fact, all your pictures are beautiful, especially the kitties!

Sherry and Deb
Guest 31-May-2010 18:30
Hello Matt. Amanda here mother of two boy's, 10 and 8. Was looking for burn photo's to possibly show my kid's, as we caught them building a bonfire to roast marsh mellow's INSIDE our motorhome. Kid's just don't get the gravity of the thing's that could happen when they make such bad choice's. I don't think I will be showing them your photo's as they are so graphic, but I am amazed at your journey and so glad you are where you are today. LIFE IS GOOD Amanda
Karen Perry 06-Oct-2009 14:58
Matt,

Hi. Hope all is well with you and Janay. I am wanting to see Kayla's senior photos....can you help direct me to the location.

Many thanks.
Karen
Jeff Yeager 07-Nov-2008 01:12
Hey Matt, It's your old friend an riding buddy now living in the great white north. The pics are amazing the one of Knobby Hill brings back some great memories,like old Mikey and that first double jump you talked me into take care, jeff
Dusty 18-Oct-2008 22:14
Hi Matt,
Great site, I love all of the pics of Janay, the cats, and yourself. I really like the Corvette. I'll try to give you a call.

Dusty
Guest 27-Aug-2008 08:20
finaeaton@yahoo.com
Fina 27-Aug-2008 08:19
Three weeks ago I received third degree burns on my legs.I just had the skin graft operation today. I am full of questions. I have olive skin, how long did it take your donor sites to look normal, if ever? If the hole u have in the middle of the burn by your foot is from antibiotics, why? No docs have told me that I would have to inject myself. Did the miracle cream really work? If so how many tubes? Answer only if you have time or want to. Thank you.
Guest 25-Jun-2008 20:44
I love looking at your pictures. I wish you could update more often. GREAT JOB!
Deanna 19-Apr-2008 21:21
Hi Matt,
I have third degree burns too. I am going through pretty much what you went through. I think you are a really brave person. You have a great sense of humor and your pictures really told the story well. I know your pain.

Good luck and well wishes,
Deanna
Guest 08-Mar-2007 10:21
Fantastic gallery.
Guest 13-Dec-2005 14:30
GREAT PICTURES!
Emily 13-Aug-2005 03:25
Matt,
This is Emily and I wanted to tell you that I realy enjoy the beauitful work you do church and family.
Love,
em
Guest 11-Dec-2003 03:31
Matt I see your putting the new lens to use and are wasting no time.

Nice christmas light pics.

Scott
Tina Nelson 21-Aug-2003 15:52
Dear Matt:

I am your Mom's cousin in California. Since we are all mostly strangers, suffice it to say that I am thrilled with your fine photos! What a beautiful family! Your Mom often mentions names, but to now see the faces is wonderful. The surrounding area looks beautiful, so lush and green. Now that I have your website address, I'll check it out as often as possible . . . my only computer is at the office. Thank you a million times over!

Sincerely,
Tina