Natalie’s Story

Site created on December 30, 2023

On Monday, December 11, about 3:15 am, Natalie’s and Crockett’s house burned. 


It was a complete loss; they were lucky to survive. Their 3 cats did not. 


Crockett only had minor burns, bumps, and bruises, Natalie experienced major trauma: broken bones (femur, pelvis, both hips, ribs, wrist, vertebra), lacerated spleen, and 3rd degree burns to more than 10% of her body. 

The fire began outside the house and appears to be arson.  We have been asked by law enforcement to keep that part of the story quiet until they get a conviction.

We are using this site to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


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Our dear friend Joe created a donation site at go fund me for us:


https://www.gofundme.com/f/natalie-and-crockett-a-couple-in-need-of-help?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch

Please note the "tributes" and any donations solicited by CaringBridge go only to CaringBridge.com, and do not support Natalie or Crockett.   
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Newest Update

Journal entry by Katie Dunn

Natalie was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, January 30, after 7 weeks and 2 days! 

Crockett had been staying with her there, which was wonderfully lenient of the hospital, and also served another purpose - he saw what the nurses did and learned how to manage some things, such as cleaning and dressing the burns on her legs.

They are now staying for a while in friends' condo, a beautiful space with a view of the Golden Gate bridge, the marina district, and the bay. They'll be spoiled forever.

Being "at home" is very different from the hospital.  For instance, there's no 4am vitals check (yay), no meal service (boo), and no housekeeping (boo)!

And in the hospital there were those wonderful, encouraging, skillful, reassuring nurses and doctors making sure all was well.

The demolition of the burned house is almost complete.  They were able to salvage a handful of keepsakes from the rubble: a burned t-shirt from Natalie's mother; a corner of a quilt from Crockett's great grandmother.

Natalie and Crockett are getting used to the new routine- days of home PT, OT, and nursing- at least one visit to the burn unit at the hospital each week- bookended by wound cleaning and bandage changes. 

The first week they went back to the hospital once, last week it was twice.  After a week of Natalie being able to take a shower every day, which was heaven, the infection had increased a little, so they went back to the 3-day anti-microbial dressing.  Now it's shower every three days again.

Rebecca, Crockett's sister is visiting and helping out now, and they've gotten out a little to visit interesting places around town. Natalie got wheeled to the beach, which she had been dreaming of since being hospitalized.  She doesn't have much stamina yet, so that was limited.

It's been a while since Dec. 11 with Natalie in traction, heavily sedated, with a feeding tube, to skin grafts and leg immobilizers, to learning how to sit, stand, and walk again.  There's a long road ahead, but things are heading in the right direction.

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Our dear friend Joe created a donation site at go fund me for us. Thank you so much for your help.

 

Please note the "tributes" and any donations solicited by CaringBridge go only to CaringBridge.com, and do not support Natalie or Crockett.   
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