Since that tragic evening on June 1st when the Cessna 206 carrying the Cavner family crash-landed during Anchorage rush hour traffic, friends, family, and even strangers have shown extraordinary acts of kindness. From ‘good Samaritan’ rescuers to generous donors, good people have done good things, reinforcing the fact that people care about people in general and for the Cavners in particular.
To say the least, we are very grateful for the many hours that have been devoted helping Preston and Stacie Cavner carry on their outfitting business at Lake Clark, Alaska. Over the last several weeks, many volunteers have come to their aid, offering their help, influence, and money to preserve the vision of this couple.
Now, a month after the accident, the schedule with be changing for the family. Now that the focus will be on recovery and rehab for the next 15 months or so, the emphasis is shifting from surgery and medical procedures to therapy: physical, occupational, and speech. Also, the schedule will include naps and family time for Stacie, Preston, and Hudson to be together without visitors. This will require coordinated visiting times and just a couple of visitors at a time, so as not to interfere with the rehabilitation process.
The 3 surviving Cavners have had a total of 16 surgeries since they have been in the Portland Burn Center. It is sort of a fog to look back at it from this point. We just hope for the best in moving forward to conquering the many challenges ahead. One of the challenges at this point is remembering there are some real differences between the patients. They all have different levels of injury and are at different stages of recovery.
Preston’s fractured face has been rebuilt with 12 plates. He is into therapy now and re-learning some fundamental skills. Stacie may possibly have had the last of the crucial surgeries with future surgeries being primarily for skin-graft repairs. Her recovery will be an extended one requiring a great deal of therapy due to amputation. Hudson has gone through a lot for a two year old, but is gaining strength each day. His scalp surgery, where he was severely burned to the bone, has really been a big challenge, but the doctors have it under control. Preston is trying to be so strong for them. It is not easy. He knows that his family, his precious loved ones are really hurting.
As you all know, there is always MORE to the story than meets the eye. And for certain that is the case here. But just when it seems like the "more" is becoming too much, someone does something wonderful, kind and considerate. As we move towards recovery from physical wounds, there are so many other things to think of. And it is becoming readily apparent that thinking of them in conventional terms is simply just not adequate. There are three people in Portland and one in Seattle that require some pretty unconventional consideration. It has to be geared towards one thing and that is simply the process of complete healing; all else is secondary. It is not a matter of restoring all the life that existed before the accident, but creating a new culture, a new normal, that will enable them to heal as individuals and as a family.