Jack’s Story
A motorbike accident caused a friction burn for 6-year-old Jack.
What happened?
Jack’s story as told by his parents Melissa and Johnathon.
On the 21st December 2019, Jack aged 6, was riding his motorbike around the back yard when he clipped a tree causing him to fall off. His foot got stuck underneath the back tyre which within seconds, tore through his boot causing a full thickness friction burn to the top of his right foot. During the call to 000, we were told to carefully remove his boot and sock and apply cool running water from the hose to the burn. The ambulance arrived, and we were transported to Busselton Health Campus. The doctors there were straight on the phone to the Burns Unit in Perth, and not that long after we were airlifted by the RAC Helicopter to PCH.
Treatment and recovery journey
Jack was operated on the next morning. We remember getting the call from Professor Fiona Wood saying she would find us in the hospital to discuss Jack’s burn. It was at this point that we realised exactly how bad the injury was and what we were in for.
We were told that Jack was the second child at PCH to receive Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) as part of his treatment. Professor Wood was most concerned about a bone infection at this point as some of the bones in his foot were also scratched and burnt from the accident. Jack needed a wound VAC, debridement and dressing changes every 2nd or 3rd day under anaesthetic. He wasn’t allowed to walk or put pressure on his foot. Keeping a 6 year old boy still was quite a challenge! The nurses of 1B were superstars though, and regular trips to Fun on Four and the Starlight room made this time easier.
Once the team were happy the BTM was successful, Jack had a split skin graft. One more week of keeping his foot still, and we were then given the green light he could move. With regular physio sessions with Cheng, and the amazing support we received from our Occupational Therapists (OT’s) Penny and Justin, Jack learnt to walk again, and 8 weeks later we were able to go home, fully equipped with all kinds of dressings, creams, and equipment for what would become our new daily routine with dressing changes and exercises.
Jack has had CO2 laser surgeries as well as a full thickness graft to release his toes, and as he continues to grow, he will require more grafts.
Life now
Regular physio appointments keep him on track, and he loves choosing different colours for his compression garments. We see the wonderful team at Clinic J as required, using Telehealth wherever needed. Both Jack and I are part of the Biobank research group and feel comfort in knowing that this research will help future burn patients.
We decided to ‘Take the Plunge’ and abseil down the Central Park building fundraising for the Fiona Wood Foundation. Abseiling down 220m was quite easy compared to some of the early days we faced. Having a child in so much pain is something a parent will never forget.
We can’t thank the whole team enough for all that they have done for Jack, and we know what they will continue to do in the future.
At the time of Jack’s hospital stay we were told we would become part of the Burns family, and that is exactly how we feel today.
