May 21--VERO BEACH -- Each stretch of his arm. Each touch of his face. Nerves transmit pain.
"I've had my mandible (jaw) broken and teeth knocked out. I can tell you it is nothing compared to the pain of a burn," said Dustin Hawkins, 31, an Indian River County firefighter and emergency medical technician. "My level of pain has been redefined."
Fuel fumes ignited May 8, blowing into his face and on his arms on a rescue boat moored at Fire Rescue Station 2 at the base of the east end of the Merrill Barber Bridge.
Although he'd had medical training, nothing prepared him for what was next: being rushed to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute, then to a burn center in Orlando.
He had second-degree burns to his neck and face -- ears and lips -- and third-degree burns to his arms.
He returned home this past weekend. As near as he can tell, it probably was Saturday.
Now he's trying to follow doctor's orders: virtually nonstop eating, totaling 5,000 calories a day, to nurture the healing of his skin, which he expects to have some permanent scaring.
In Orlando, "I had some of the finest nurses and doctors," he said. "They were wonderful" in providing the best treatment for his deep pain.
The least favorite part of the day is when his bandages are changed.
"When someone asked what it is like to be burned, I have nothing to explain it.
It is unknown how long his recuperation will take.
On Wednesday he'll be back in Orlando for the first of a long series of evaluations of how his skin is doing. That will help decide what is next.
Already he has had some skin grafts.
While he heals, he is intent on returning to duty as a firefighter, a profession he chose after being inspired by a St. Lucie County firefighter he didn't name.
"I always wanted to help people, even if I didn't know them. I like to lend a hand," said the firefighter who grew up in Vero Beach and attended John Carroll High School.
Now people are helping him.
"It is just absolutely amazing, uplifting," said Hawkins of the calls he has received from friends to fellow firefighters to county commissioners.
His mainstay is his wife of 13 years, Lynn, their two daughters and pets.
"All my necessities are being met and exceeded. I have nothing to worry about except healing and getting back to being a firefighter," he said.
While he was hospitalized in Orlando, an attorney for the county said he had an attorney. The firefighter said he never retained an attorney and doesn't plan to take any legal action against the county.
"I just want to get back" to work, he said.
Copyright 2014 - Treasure Coast Newspapers, Stuart, Fla.
