Hey every body. I just thought this would probably be the easiest way to keep everyone updated on my dads accident. For those of you who don't already know, my dad was feeling a little sad that summer was coming to an end and he wouldn't be able to
barbeque for a while so he decided to turn himself into one. No seriously, he was working on a car down at Grandmas. From the story I got this is how it happened. He was trying to prime the carburetor or something and tried a little gas to get it fired up. Well as expected it fired up and the gas splashed on him igniting him. He started to roll around on the ground, which was the black top at Grandmas, and when the flames just wouldn't go out he ran to the tomatoes and started rolling around in them. They started throwing dirt on him to get him out and thankfully that worked. He and
Shanel jumped in the car and headed to Mountain View Hospital.
Shanel called my mom and told her my dad had gotten burned. My mom and
Shaylie flew out of the house and came and got me. Thankfully now I live close and have neighbors willing to help watch my kids so I went with my mom and Shay.
I went right in not really knowing what to expect. I knew his face, torso and arm were burnt, but did not know to what extent. I was really worried I was walking into a real mess and of course I was thinking the worst. I was worried I was going to walk in and not would not be able to recognize him because his face and ears were going to be melted off. Then what would he do with those new reading glasses he just got? I'm sure you all would love to know he looks the exact same. He face just looked a little red/black and was starting to blister. His left arm on the other hand looked like crap. All the skin was falling off. I'm not gonna lie, it looked just like an arm off a zombie in a horror movie. His left hand was by far the most badly burnt. I'll never forget seeing that. He still had his ring on, which I must say looked absolutely perfect. They had to get the ring off in a hurry which could have been a real chore, because it's Titanium there was no cutting it off. They just had to lube up his hand and slide it off. The tip of his ring finger was just hanging there. I just kept thinking about uncle Kim and his finger being cut off. I thought for sure he was losing/lost part of his finger. He was really shaking. I thought it was just from the pain, but I think he was really shaking because his body temp was falling and fast because of all the cold rags and ice they had on him. He said a few choice words to the Dr. when the Dr. told him he couldn't have any more cold rags or ice to help and also that he needed a catheter. After they got the dry raps on him and the good drugs in him he started to calm down. His blood pressure went back up and so did his
sats. That was a real comfort. Another really good thing was his airway was not burned. If his airway would have been burned I know things would not be as they are now. They would have been much much worse.
My uncle and my dads friend, who's wife was working at the hospital at the time, hurried over and gave him a blessing. I know without a double that blessing really helped and is one of the reasons he is doing so well.
We had the choice of sending him by land or by air. In the end we decided to send him by helicopter for the main reason of pain control. The medication that was helping he couldn't have in the ambulance.
My mom, Darren and Jeff (both are my moms brothers) headed up to the hospital as soon as we decided how to get him up there. They hoped to be there as he arrived. The rest of us stayed to see him get on the chopper and head out. I was so overwhelmed with all the people who rushed down to make sure he was okay and to make sure we had all we needed. Seeing how people are when they see the helicopter at the hospital has always bothered be. They act like it's a little show and all exciting, but they never think about the person getting in there or their family.
It really bothered me seeing all those people taking pictures and watching for a little excitement. I knew my dad was really hurting and everyone just stared. It was nice though some people were taking picture for me since I didn't have my camera so I'll post some later because to tell you the truth it was kinda cool watching the helicopter leave.
Even though my mom told us not to my brothers and I headed up there to take her some stuff and just to check on them. When we got there Darren and Jeff were just heading out and they waited for us so they could take us home and we could leave the car for my mom. When we went in there my dad was in the burn ICU, which scared me a little, but I figured it was just so they could keep a close eye on him and continue to monitor his airway and make sure nothing snuck up on them. When we got in there they had shaved him mustache and he was really swollen. Especially the left side of his face. When he talked his face was swollen so his side of his mouth didn't move too well so it looked like he was there for a stroke not for a burn. He was up and talking and making jokes. As we walked in he said to
Mckayd "
McKayd don't be stupid like me."
McKayd says "what dad light myself on fire?" My dad's like "no
McKayd text and drive." We all started laughing wondering if he knew why he was in there. Then he said something about watching a thing on
texting and driving so then it all made sense. I'll have to get more of the story today.
After they had cleaned up his wounds. They found they were all only 2
nd degree burn which is absolutely amazing to me after seeing what it actually looked like. They said the fact all his burns were pink and he was able to move them was really good.
My mom sent me a text today that said he wasn't in too much pain. He was doing as well as can be expected. His body is doing exactly what it should be and he was going to get up and shower soon and the Dr. would be in soon to check on him. I'll keep you all updated and I'm sure all of your comment, prayer and calls are all really help so keep them coming. I would love to read him comments if you'll leave them here that would be awesome. I know if anyone is like me they want to call but don't want to call because they don't want to bother them, so this is a way if you want to show your support you can and you will know you won't be interrupting anything, but please feel free to call or text or whatever you want to do. All of your support is much appreciated.
I have to just laugh at this picture because all of you that know Cooper know how kind and loving he is. On the mat he's a totally different person. He doesn't let anyone push him around and he's very aggressive. It's so fun to watch him wrestle and become this totally different kid. Then when the match is over he's right back to the same loving kind boy he's always been.
Cooper w/ cousin Morgan, Grandpa Alan and Grandma Randy
Cooper w/ Grandpa Jed and Grandma Leslie.
He was lucky enough to be baptized by his dad and have his uncle Brady confirm him. I was amazed at how many people came to share this special day with him. I had to laugh because the primary president didn't know she was supposed to get a count of how many people would be coming and we were over-flowing the room we were in. This isn't a very good picture, but you get the idea. We were all supposed to be writing Coop a little note for this cute book the primary presidency put together for him. (Please note all the guys are just sitting there because they're making their wives write one for them. Just thought that was funny.) 
(This is everyone after)
Then Riley gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. He shared a great story about listening to the Holy Ghost. I hope Cooper always remembers to do so.
Brady then preformed the confirmation. The spirit was so strong. Brady was really nervous, but still did a great job, even if he did end abruptly when he became emotional. Hey that's how the Gordon's roll. We like to keep our emotions to ourselves.
Grandma Sherri & Grandpa Butch
I just want to thank everyone for coming and sharing with Coop in this great day. 
Seriously, how can you look at this picture and not think it's the cutest.