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Matt Rodenbeck | all galleries >> Galleries >> Burn Photos > April 2nd - Outside Close Up
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02-APR-2008

April 2nd - Outside Close Up

This close up view shows the area after Janay cleaned it out. That is Janay's pretty fingernail, not mine for those who were wondering :)

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Julie 21-Mar-2012 10:44
Mr. Rodenbeck, Wow, you certainly had a hard path to follow. You did a wonderful job documenting your progress. Burns are one of the sights that have always bothered me. I cannot even imagine the pain you had indured, let alone all of the setbacks along the way. While looking at your pictures, I was thinking to myself that you were looking better and then seeing that you had, yet, another surgery was highly disappointing to me as a viewer. I can't imagine the frustration that you must have felt. Like the saying goes, "one step forward and two steps back." I am really glad that you are healed after almost a 2 year battle. I want to say thank you for sharing your pictures. I think you would be a good motivational speaker! :0)
Gillian 22-Feb-2012 16:20
This site is AWESOME! I'm a nurse studying for my final exam in wound care (actually, wound, ostomy, and continence care) and I have never seen such a well-done, exhaustive series of images. It was really helpful because it showed so many different things we cover in wound care school: burns, grafts, granulation tissue, osteomyelitis, slough in the wound bed, rotational flaps, etc. Thank you! I'm going to forward this site onto my classmates, if you don't mind. :)
mikhel & Kathy (mom) 20-Feb-2012 17:39
hi! I am 9yrs. old but I did something pretty stupid this morning and I was playing with fire inside our townhouse. Luckily I got my mom and she put it out before it was to late. So she showed me your website and I thought it was a great lesson to not play with fire and what the long-term consequinces would be. Thanks for your help,your my hero!
:-)
Matt, Thank you so much for documenting your ordeal & sharing it with us! I showed my son other pictures of burn victims but your photo gallery allowed him to really "see" the long & painful struggle of recovering from burns. Praise God for your recovery & putting it on your heart to share! Thank you! Now on to my son's next lesson; washing clothes, walls, windows, furniture, cleaning carpet, etc to try & get rid of the smoke smell--All while being thankful this is ALL we have to deal with!
komal 18-Feb-2012 15:17
hats off sir..
Keli 11-Feb-2012 19:29
I suffered from a 3rd degree burns as an infant. My father dumped hot grease over my body. Its weird because the scars have not bothered me too much throughout my life (I'm 33), but lately have. Today I looked at them closer than ever before. The pieces of my plastic diaper still visible. Medical technology was much different 30+ years ago, but I feel like you too experienced what I did. Your journey is touching. I hope I can one day be an inspiration too. Congratulations.
Christa Spencer 08-Oct-2011 20:03
Matt, Thank you so much for the pictures of your recovery. My 10 year old daughter wanted to cook some Ramen noodles all by herself on the stove. Although I don't have a problem with her doing that under close supervision, her idea of cooking procedures and safety are different than mine. After repeatedly asking her to hold the handle of the pan as she stirred the contents, she was not doing what I asked. She was dismissed from her cooking job and sat in a chair as I finished cooking. Still fuming at her lack of seriousness, I made her sit there and think about it all until I got out of the shower. While in the shower I was praying about the whole ordeal, God told me to show her burn pictures on the internet. I went to Google and typed in "burn victims" your site is where I went. I made both my 10 and 7 year old girls look at each and every one of the pictures, even though they thought they had seen enough long before we we through them all. You have been a blessing to our family. Both girls were changed by your journey of pain trauma, healing and recovery. Thank you for using what was bad, for the good of many other people. We pray
you are healed completely. May God bless you. Chris, Rachel and Rene S.
Guest 06-Oct-2011 21:26
Thank you for the play-by-play of your ordeal. I am so sorry you had to go through this. I was looking on the internet for pictures to show in our in-service this month. (I am a training officer at an EMS service) I found you pictures and were amazed at the progress the medical profession has made. Burns are the part of our job that we especially do not like, because we know that the initial injury is not the end of the road and that the road is usually long and hard. God bless you and your family for sharing your trials with us that hopefully someone can learn from it.
Guest 16-Sep-2011 15:07
Congratulations Matt. Praise God! I found your photo gallery this morning to show my 4 year old son, James. He was amazed and bored - go figure! He was playing with a burning candle this morning and I am trying to educate him about burns. Thanks for all your dedication to track this journey. We were blessed by it.
Stacy
Audrey 15-Aug-2011 05:56
Matt, I had a bonfire accident on July 5th, 2011 and had 2nd and 3rd degrees covering my left arm. I had skin grafting on my elbow and on the outer right wrist. I was searching online to see how my graft sites would look when i found your photo blog. I'm so sorry that you had to go through all that. I can't imagine how hard it was when your leg wouldn't heal. I spent a lot of time looking through your photos and was in tears by the end. This is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
Much love, Audrey
Guest 11-Aug-2011 02:41
Hi Matt, thank you for sharing your journey. I am a PT student who will be treating burns in my upcoming clinical rotation and found your photos very helpful as I have limited previous burn experience. I can only imagine what a difficult journey it was. I wish you all the best.
Guest 09-Jul-2011 15:21
My husband and two other men were burned in a work related accident seven weeks ago (May 19th, 2011). They are all burned over 75% of their bodies. It has been a long road so far with MANY ups and downs. We know it will continue for years and life as we once new is forever gone. We have seen a lot of improvement and are so thankful for the skill and competence of our medical staff. God is the ultimate healer and has chosen to spare these men. I'm sorry you had to experience this but a lot of good has come from your willingness to take us on your journey. Thank you.
Lea Hunt
Erik 29-Jun-2011 12:46
I appreciate the gallery as an educational memoir of sorts. I just had a motorcycle accident with no jacket and got road rash. They say that classify road rash and burns the same. Mostly superficial but I get an idea of how bad it could have been. Helps me with my decision on riding again. I am so glad that you have come through it. As I was moving through each picture I kept hoping it would get better, then my heart sank when you got to the osteomyelitis era. I'm glad you're good!
Matt Rodenbeck19-Dec-2010 02:13
Jenn - Thank you for the kind words. My wife is an amazing woman. Simple words can not describe the love and respect I have for her. She is simply an amazing woman! I hope my photos have a positive impact on your boys and keep them from playing with fire.
Jenn 18-Dec-2010 15:42
Matt,
I was looking for pictures of burns to show my two 13 yr old boys so I could try to show the magnitude of how dangeropus playing with fire is. They both got in trouble for playing with matches in the woods and caught a hay bale on fire. Luckily it was a very old bale and the fire went out on its own after burning only half of it. Not much damage was done and noone was hurt, but it scared me half to death and I wanted to try to educate them on the long term consequences of what might have happened. Thank you so much for having the courage to post your journey for us to witness. I am so very happy for you and you recovery. May God continue to bless you and your wife, who stood by you through the whole thing. I commend her because in this day and time not many people stand by through the dark times anymore. Jenn
guest 16-Dec-2010 21:00
thank you for posting your photos i have been searching for info. i had a seizure and burned my hand on a electric stove 3rd degree burns. i know i will be ok. once again thank you so much. betty
rayma tracy 06-Nov-2010 11:10
Matt thanks for sharing your journey through which God has graciously sustained you. I brought a patient from Indonesia to Melbourne for a major tumor removal surgery which has required a large skin graft. Now 2 weeks post-op. Your experiences and photos are a real encouragement and I understand the process of healing, setbacks, grafting, and recovery much better. God bless you as you continue on. Blessings!Rayma
Oya17-Oct-2010 15:09
I only have one word to say at this point C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! ! ! on a full recovery from such a horrendous burn. I viewed your photos from start to finish and I must say that there were quite a few moments where my hopes were extremely high and I was ready to say congratulations but after proceeding to the next photo I had to refrain from saying it . You have been through more than an ordeal and I must say you are a brave person. It has been one rough two years for you, one I know you will not soon forget. Hopefully someday you will look at your completely healed leg and compare it to those photos of the past and rejoice. To God be the glory. Your story is more than a testimony and should be shared with all burnt victims, I know it will offer more than inspiration to them, it will give them hopes too. God bless. Moet!!! Anyone.
Guest 14-Sep-2010 09:12
Hello Mat,
Thanks for the chronology of pictures. I teach nursing students and was looking for a good gallery of pictures depicting burn injury and healing. You have provided an invaluable gallery of pictures, and have described your feelings as well. Thanks.
Bennie
Karen 04-Sep-2010 02:28
My daughter is recovering from a serious burn to her hand and the infection that followed. She burned it while cooking and had to be hospitalized with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Your recovery pictures are very informative for anyone trying to understand how difficult and long it takes to recover from. You certainly have been on a very long journey and I hope you are doing well.
Guest 08-Aug-2010 14:04
Hi
I had 3rd degree burns from boiling water as a child. I'm an adult now, and still suffer from confidence and low self esteem due to the scars. So, am looking to see if there is anything i could do to improve the scars now.
Francis Ouseph 26-Jul-2010 05:59
Hi Matt,
My 4 yr old son had got a nasty burn on his posterior just above the
knee. He got the burn from a hot bike silencer. It was not very serious as
the burn hadn't got to his muscle, he is into the third week of dressing.
He is recovering fine. I was just googling for burn wound photos and I hit
yours. I went through all your snaps and was I was so glad when I saw your
last photo where your leg has finally healed !

"For He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole" [Job 5:18]
Guest 19-Jul-2010 02:48
I was actually looking for a site to show my 3 young children just how bad injuries can be from hot oil or burning water, as they are always curious about what I am doing or cooking in the kitchen. Although your injuries were not from cooking, they were very helpful in showing my children what could happen if they accidentally tip over a pot of boiling water or crawl up on the cabinet to "sneak snacks." I have tried explaining what can happen, but I think your pictures may have had an impression on them. so hopefully, next time I ask them toleave the kitchen and stay away while I am cooking, they will understand I am protecting them from burns and not just being a "mean 'ole Mommy."
Stephanie G 25-Jun-2010 13:45
I was looking for pictures of burns to decide if the one I got several days ago would need medical attention. Thank you for taking time to share your experience. It has given me insight and direction to understand how I need to procede. Thank you!
KatieG 14-Apr-2010 02:00
thank you for sharing your experience - my 16 yr old nephew just got burned 2nd & 3rd degree on his RT foot and shin last weekend (fell into a bonfire) and is being treated at Augusta. He's very early in the process so we are unsure what he will have to go through. We have been told the burn has not affected the muscles so we are thankful. Could you tell us how the past 2 years have gone for you, and post additional recent photos?
Ruben 18-Mar-2010 21:45
Thank you, for sharing your experience, strength and hope. I found your website, while researching skin grafts for burns; my friend needed grafts on both feet, after an accident with boiling water. This happened years, ago, but I wanted to further understand what he must have gone through. He still has nerve pain, but gets through it, One Day At A Time. I am purchasing a pair of Crocs Rx Relief, for him. I wear nothing but Crocs, because they are so comfortable, maybe they can help you, too. I hope that the inflammation in your feet went away and that you no longer require treatment for the burns. My prayers are with you and your wife, as well as, everyone being treated for burns. Take care, Ruben.
Katrina 02-Mar-2010 02:17
Thank you for posting your experiences, as a nursing student I have found it very helpful in understanding the healing process for burns. It was amazing to see the transformation, and I hope that you have continued to heal. Thank you again for the glimpse into your recovery.
Ruby 02-Mar-2010 01:03
I am a nursing student and I thank you for taking us through your journey. It helps us understand what we are learning better.
D. Gladney 02-Mar-2010 00:54
I am a nursing student. I've found your documentation of your experiences very helpful in my studies. Thank you for showing the world your ordeal.
Ruby 02-Mar-2010 00:45
I am a nursing student and I thank you for taking us through your journey. It helps us understand what we are learning better.
Keely 01-Mar-2010 23:12
Matt seeing your transformation was mind blowing. Seeing the body's potential to heal and the healing process was amazing. I am a nursing student and actually being able to see the stages of burn healing has helped me tremendously. Your positivity and optimism throughout your experience is truly commendable. God Bless
Nikki 01-Mar-2010 21:50
We are learning about burns in nursing school. This was very helpful in visualizing the healing process. Hope you are still doing well. Thanks for posting pictures and telling your story.
Johnathan 01-Mar-2010 21:38
thanks for being brave enough to post your journey to recovery online. It really gave a lot of insight about the long recovery process for a burn. Hope all is well.
Donna 01-Mar-2010 21:27
I hope your leg is doing better. It was amzing seeing the healing process with burns. I had no idea how long it could take burns to heal.
Andrea 28-Feb-2010 09:10
Thank you for sharing your pictures. I am a nursing student and I want to specialize in burns. You had a long recovery. Your burns healed very nicely. Once again, thank you. Andrea =)
Michelle 19-Dec-2009 16:41
Thank you for these photos. It's not easy to find such information. My daughter was burned one week ago and is in a burn center. She fainted while cooking and landed on the burners. She's doing very well, all things considered, but I'm very concerned about how her burns will look eventually. It's tough for a pretty girl to have scars. Luckily, none were on her face. She has a good attitude but I wish there were more sites like yours to show a range of injuries and how they eventually heal.
SJR 09-Nov-2009 20:21
Matt, I was looking for information on skin grafts as my good friend's daughter has suffered a serious burn and I wanted to be well educated to support them in the recovery ahead. I was inspired by your story and admire your strength and courage. I hope things have continued to heal for you. Thank you.
Susan Bertrand 15-May-2009 03:32
Matt,
I was looking for pictures to show healed skin grafts and came upon your pictures. My son got burned a little over a month ago from a bon fire. He had his 3rd surgery May 12th and is doing great. He is only 10 years old and I worry about self confidence from scars. Although he was burned over more surface area, you seem like you have gone threw so much more than he has. You leg looks wonderful!!!! That gives me hope for him. He had the Integra and wound vacs on his legs for four weeks. They grafted skin from his back and a strip from his leg (that was all they could get off of his legs, as the rest was 2nd and 3rd degree burns) 3 days ago. Tomorrow they will take the burn packs off from his legs. I am so excited. They are going to get him up to walk also. How is your strength in your leg? Do you have any lingering pain? I appreciate your posting your journey. It really helped me get a view from other sources besides a medical journal and doctors!! Our doctor has been wonderful here at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN and has explained everything perfectly to us but your pictures helped also.
Good luck!
Susan B.
Nashville, TN
Christina 03-Apr-2009 22:08
Wow Matt!! What an ride you had in your healing process. You do not know me but I was searching for burn information on the web and stumbled on your photos. Burned my hands very badly on hot oil and was searching for something to make me feel like things will get better. After viewing all your stuff I know there's hope. Thanks for posting it all somehow it helped me. Christina