Woman, daughter recovering from burns

ESCANABA -An Escanaba woman and her daughter -both injured in an explosion in their camper two weeks ago -are recovering well at a burn center downstate. They're doing so good, the mother was released from hospital care Friday and the daughter could be released this coming week.

Denise Seymour, 37, and daughter Isabel, 2, were burned on July 18 while a meal was being prepared on the stove in their camper trailer. Seymour's husband, Mark, and their son, Abrahm, were not injured. The family was camping at Stoner Lake in Alger County when the explosion occurred shortly before noon.

The daughter was transported to Munising Memorial Hospital then transferred to Marquette General Hospital. The mother was transported to Marquette General Hospital. The two were later airlifted in separate helicopters to the University of Michigan Burn Center in Ann Arbor.

"They're both doing excellent," Mark said Friday evening in a telephone interview with the Daily Press. "We're all doing pretty good."

Mark is a retired Escanaba Public Safety officer and Denise owns her own therapy business. Their son is staying with family.

Mark has been practically living at the hospital, either at the bedside of his wife or daughter. He said he occasionally goes to his Ronald McDonald living quarters and has a quick bite to eat.

"Denise's face has improved and Isabel's face has improved," he said, explaining that Isabel still has a breathing tube and is sedated. Her doctors planned to remove the breathing tube today. The tube was removed a few days ago but had to be replaced.

Denise and Isabel's injuries were almost duplicate, Mark said. They were both burned on the face, hands, arms, belly and legs. Isabel suffers burns on the top of her feet. Denise's feet were not burned because she had socks on. Both we're wearing pajamas when the explosion occurred.

The toddler was in the burn unit for one day and has since been cared for in the pediatric intensive care unit. Here she receives medical attention from both burn and pediatric doctors, the father explained.

She's undergone skin grafts on the tops of both feet and on top of her right hand. There was concern her belly would have to be grafted but doctors are letting the skin heal on it's own, he said.

"Isabel's burns are getting re-evaluated on Monday," he said, hopeful she may be released from the hospital within the next week. Once back home, mother and daughter will continue physical therapy as their burns heal, he said.

To view updates on the progress of Denise and Isabel, visit www.carepages.com using the keyword stonerlake.

Friends and family are planning a fund-raiser to help the Seymour family pay for medical expenses. A breakfast fund-raiser is scheduled for Aug. 29 at the Escanaba Elks Club. Auction and raffle donations can be dropped off at the Record Rack at 1212 Ludington St. in Escanaba. For more information about the fund-raiser, call (906) 786-9082.