Adele’s Story

What happened?

In May 2022, we moved into a new home, which came with an elegant outdoor ethanol heater. During a gathering with my son and his friends, I decided to give it a try. Thinking the flame was out, I poured in five litres of ethanol. Unexpectedly, the heater burst into flames, causing an explosion that engulfed me.

Trained in first aid, I instinctively stopped, dropped, and rolled, but since I was drenched in accelerant, this method failed. In a desperate move, my son tried to smother the flames with dog blankets, but they, too, caught fire.

Amidst shock and panic, he yelled for me to dive into the pool to douse the flames. Missing the pool on my initial leap (I blamed it on being on fire), he nudged me in with a kick. Once out, a friend of my son’s promptly used a garden hose to shower me with cool water as paramedics rushed to my aid. In the ambulance, my son kept soaking me with water while the medical team attended to my injuries.

Despite swift efforts to put out the flames, I ended up with burns on 33% of my body, covering my face, neck, chest, both hands (fully), and torso. The paramedic later informed us that such accidents are not uncommon due to the ethanol’s invisible blue flame, which has led to a ban on these heaters.

Treatment and recovery journey

Following the accident, I was admitted to the Fiona Stanley Burns Unit, where I spent five challenging weeks. My burns journey involved two surgeries for skin grafts and spray skin treatments. As an early-release patient, my routine included attending the burns unit four times a week for dressing changes, psychotherapy sessions, and consultations with occupational therapists.

My burns recovery has presented many challenges. I have endured infection after infection, and I have to admit to those days being some of the darkest. Missing my 50^th birthday as I was struggling with yet another infection was particularly difficult for me. As it turns out, I had picked up a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and discovered that I was allergic to the Fixamol tape. Once these issues were addressed, my recovery started to progress positively, and I began to heal.

The care and support I have received as an inpatient and outpatient are second to none! I cannot fault the care I have been given. The ongoing surgeries to help with movement and the look of my scars have been unbelievable, and I am so grateful for everything and everyone involved in my recovery. The Fiona Stanley Hospital and its staff are just amazing!

The healing process has been gradual, but every small victory has been a cause for celebration, thanks to the support of my amazing fiancé, family, and friends.

Life now

For my one-year ‘burn- anniversary’, I had a photoshoot to help me come to terms with the new way I look. The theme was rising from the ashes—my very own phoenix.

Around this time, I also returned to work, which marked a significant turning point for me, and when I started to feel a shift, I felt like I was flying high! Right now, life feels good, and I am almost back to my old self, albeit with some days more challenging than others due to occasional soreness and fatigue, as my recovery continues 19 months on.

The burns team, has been extraordinary throughout my journey! While I might be facing more treatments ahead, including laser surgery, scar release, and some reconstructive procedures, I’m fully aware of how beneficial they are and how they contribute to enhancing my quality of life. The work done on the scarring on my face has been incredible, making it almost unnoticeable. My gratitude extends to everyone at the Fiona Stanley Burns Unit and the Fiona Wood Foundation for their groundbreaking research and advancements. Although I haven’t had the chance to be part of their research efforts yet, I’m eager to participate in the next suitable study. It’s important to me to give back and aid in the progress of treatments for others embarking on their own recovery from burns.

To aid in my physical rehabilitation, I’ve embraced Yoga and Pilates, both of which I’ve found incredibly beneficial for enhancing my strength and mobility, and I absolutely LOVE them!

I’m also gearing up for the 2024 HBF Run for a Reason, which aligns with my second ‘burn- anniversary.’ Participating in this run is my way of giving back and offering support to others who might find themselves in a similar situation. During the darkest days of my burns recovery, the thought of joining such an event seemed like an impossible dream. Now, the prospect of completing the 4km run fills me with excitement.  It shows how far I’ve come and inspires me to keep pushing forward… who knows, I might even do the 12km for my third ‘burn- anniversary’.

Life is good, and I am so fortunate to be here to welcome my first grandchild.