A man, who was severely burned Jan. 8 as he tried to save his 2-month-old son’s life during a house fire is undergoing several skin graft surgeries at the Augusta Burn Center, according to updates posted by family members on the hospital’s www.caringbridge.org Web site.
Christopher Riley had second degree burns on 50 percent of his body and sustained lacerations from a broken window neighbor Dwight Thompson pulled him through as Riley tried to re-enter his Island Highway home to save his son, Jayce Riley.
Riley’s son died in the fire. Riley’s wife, Lori, was at work when the fire broke out and their twin daughters Brianna and Shayla Riley were at school. The fire was ruled accidental.
Riley was air-lifted to the Augusta Burn Center where he undergoes daily cleanings on his burns and near-daily skin graft surgeries. He also had surgery to repair the laceration on his leg and has been sedated most of the time to speed his recovery and dull the pain.
According to a family member’s recent caringbridge.org posting, Riley opened an eye Jan. 21 and responded with eye movements when he watched a video of his daughters.
A few days and several surgeries later, Riley started physical therapy with a hospital therapist.
Throughout the ordeal, Riley has battled bacterial infections and fevers.
“Today has been an eventful day,” a family member posted Monday. “Starting out this morning when we went in to see him, he was wide awake and mouthing questions one after the other. Wanting to know what happened, why he was there and how much he wanted to go home ... We told him he was getting the best care at the best hospital around ... He sat up in the bed, tried to get out at first then just sat back and listened to us.”
Riley’s page has received 1,374 visits from family and friends. The Heritage Bank is accepting donations for the Riley family at its Midway and Hinesville branches.
Visit Riley’s page at www.caringbridge.org/visit/christopherriley/mystory.
Christopher Riley had second degree burns on 50 percent of his body and sustained lacerations from a broken window neighbor Dwight Thompson pulled him through as Riley tried to re-enter his Island Highway home to save his son, Jayce Riley.
Riley’s son died in the fire. Riley’s wife, Lori, was at work when the fire broke out and their twin daughters Brianna and Shayla Riley were at school. The fire was ruled accidental.
Riley was air-lifted to the Augusta Burn Center where he undergoes daily cleanings on his burns and near-daily skin graft surgeries. He also had surgery to repair the laceration on his leg and has been sedated most of the time to speed his recovery and dull the pain.
According to a family member’s recent caringbridge.org posting, Riley opened an eye Jan. 21 and responded with eye movements when he watched a video of his daughters.
A few days and several surgeries later, Riley started physical therapy with a hospital therapist.
Throughout the ordeal, Riley has battled bacterial infections and fevers.
“Today has been an eventful day,” a family member posted Monday. “Starting out this morning when we went in to see him, he was wide awake and mouthing questions one after the other. Wanting to know what happened, why he was there and how much he wanted to go home ... We told him he was getting the best care at the best hospital around ... He sat up in the bed, tried to get out at first then just sat back and listened to us.”
Riley’s page has received 1,374 visits from family and friends. The Heritage Bank is accepting donations for the Riley family at its Midway and Hinesville branches.
Visit Riley’s page at www.caringbridge.org/visit/christopherriley/mystory.