Those of you who have me on Facebook, might have guessed from my status a few weeks ago that I had an incident in Thailand. The main picture for this entry was going to be the picture my friend took about 10-15mins after the accident, but some people found it a little gross and preferred a warning. So, instead of the pic automatically showing up, please click here to see it.
FAQ
Were you in that big club fire in Bangkok??
Nope. This happened at a big new year’s beach party in Koh Phangan
What happened?
We noticed some people were having trouble starting a bonfire and being a nice person, I offered to help out. It ended up being quite big. I was a little too close to the fire when someone accidentally bumped into me and I fell in. I jumped back up within a split second, brushed the embers (and my first layer of skin) off, but the damage was already done: 1st and 2nd degree burns in a split second!
Were you alone?
Thank God I was not. I had 2 amazing volunteers from Nepal that were with me and who took great care of me. Craig was the one holding my arm up while the doctors peeled the skin off during the treatment; I probably couldn’t have gone through that on my own! Craig and Moose- thanks again for everything!!!
That must have hurt like hell!?
The burn itself wasn’t that bad, probably due to the shock and the adrenaline. The doc mentioned that I lost about 8%-9% skin surface area and usually at 10% people tend to go into shock, so I was probably just on the borderline.
The treatment afterward was absolutely excruciating!! I believe it was on the third day when the pain was so bad that I was actually gritting my teeth and almost screaming in pain. Craig told me after the fact that he was staying strong for me, but that it was really too much to watch.
Are you smiling while they’re peeling off your skin in the pic?!
Although I was trying to maintain my good humour and smile, I think it’s more of a wince from the pain as the soot, sand and skin came off.
What was going through your mind when this happened?
Honestly – although it was pretty bad, I’m very quick to turn a negative into a positive, so I was immediately thanking God that it wasn’t worse, that my face was fine, that I wasn’t alone and figured that in the worst case, if it scars, then it’d be time to get that sleeve tattoo! 
Is it going to scar?
According to the docs, I should hopefully get the colour back in about 4 months and it might leave some marks for a few years, but gradually, most of it should be back to normal.
The good news it that the doctors (and nurses) in Thailand and Nepal did a great job and everyone here says it’s healing up very well. Here are some pictures from exactly a month later when most of the skin has come back. If you’re wondering why my arm is shiny, my uncle (also a doctor) recommended I put olive oil on the arm to help with the [risk of] scarring. Yes, I’m also using vitamin E cream! 
Thanks for not sending me the warning first, jerk!
However, the pics at the end of your post aren't any better..when were they taken? Very freaky thing to have happen indeed. I am glad you are alright and that it was just your arm that was affected as it could have been much worse.
Are you home yet? I hope the rest of your trip (i.e., X-mas & New Years) was great. What a holiday season this one has been…hopefully 2009 will bring nothing but good things.
good heavens! are you alright now?
I can only imagine hwo it must’ve felt!
take care..
Holy shit dude!!!
Only you would be able to turn a negative like this into a positive! LoL!
Your “month later” pics look a lot better though. Looks like your arm is healing up nicely.
Glad you’re ok.
Hey, thats terrible! I am glad you recovering and that you had good support from people when it happened! Hope you have a full recovery lots of love Xxx
Didn’t know something that bad happened to you. All my thoughts are with you. Wish you the best for prompt recovery.
Wow, I’m sorry to hear this but I’m so glad you’re ok. Take care, and stay away from fires
Nelle – Ha ha ha! Sorry, I figured you wouldn’t see the pic until you got to the bottom!
These pics were taken about an hour before I wrote the entry, so pretty much exactly a month later.
Yes, I’m back home now! I expect 2009 to be great!!
LD – Yes, it’s healing really well and although I can’t put pressure on my elbow, the rest is fine, thanks!!
Moe – Ha ha! Yeah, count on me to stay positive regardless of the circumstances!! Thanks!!
Nimmi – Thank you very much! Yes, I was really fortunate to have amazing support during the ordeal, I can’t imagine what it would have been like alone! BTW, I saw the skit with Dilo the other day, quite funny!
Francine – Merci beaucoup! I’m back in Montreal, we should do lunch to catch up sometime when we’re both available!
Tara – Thanks! Don’t worry, I don’t think I’ll ever get THAT close to a fire again!
Sorry about your burns, Ian. The downside of being a nice guy, eh? Painful, isn’t it. Hope you’re on the mend. Hope to see you again soon. When are you coming back to Pittsburgh??
This was really shocking! I hope that you are healing now.Please take care,and keep us posted!
Donna – Ha ha! Yup! I’m too nice!!
I’m certainly on the mend and I hope you’re doing better too! Not sure when I’ll be in the burgh next, but hopefully sooner than later! Congrats on the Steelers’ win!
Indyana – Yup, shocking indeed! Sorry if it was a bit graphic, will certainly keep you all posted!
Hey Ian… j’espère que tu vas mieux. Pauvre toi ! C’est un terrible accident que tu as eu là. Reposes-toi bien… tu me donneras des nouvelles !
Ian,
I’m glad you’re alright dude. That’s a pretty badass burn.
Gasp! I’m happy you’re ok!
Dude! That’s pretty brutal! I hope the recovery is quick and complete!
Hélène – Merci, ca va beaucoup mieux maintenant!! Oui, tu dois aussi me donner des nouvelles!!
Ryan – Thanks man! It is pretty badass…I’m kinda’ hoping a couple of the burns do leave some slight marks!! lol
Liz – Thank you! Hope you’re well!
Rammie – Thank you, sir! Recovery is going well so far, hopefully it’ll be quick, I’ll probably post some updates in a few months!
Man Ian, I thought I was the one accident prone. Really sorry to hear and see you hurt. I love the way you made it a positive experience. (I always try to learn from my accidents.) Please take care! and keep on being the nice guy you are!
Kalusudda – Thanks for the nice words! I wouldn’t say I’m accident-prone, maybe adventure-prone is a better description? There are often so many twists, turns and random events in my life, but I’m always glad that I have a good story to tell in the end!!
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger right?
I thank God that you made it out of the fire fast and time will heal,I was worried sick until you had your first posting after New Year,I knew it was unlike you,so I prayed and i thank God once again that your OK<,Bro Jack.
Think of all the stories you can use as part of your game now lol
Take it easy man, the body is a tough machine, it’s amazing how it heals!
Bro Jack – Thank you very much for the prayers!
Daemon – You’re right! Except I wish the story could have been that I was saving a baby from a burning fire or something!!
Yeah, it’s incredible how the body heals itself up!
mmmmm Olive Oil. (inappropriate right? lol)
glad you’re safe.
Kristina – Ha ha ha ha…as long as people aren’t dipping bread on my arm, it’ll be fine…(gross right?)
Thanks!
IAN!
WTF?! You should be more careful! I’m gald to see that it wasn’t any worse!
Scrump – LOL! You actually seem upset! Sorry about that…
But yes, I think we’re all glad it wasn’t worse!!
I am glad you are doing better, Steph’s grand father was in a bad fire about 14 years ago and he was very bad off. Olive oil and Vitamin e are great ideas, keeps the skin smooth and prevents the tightness
good luck,
check out our pictures from Costa Rica, we went there for a week in January. did you see jenelle wedding opics, and Steph was the maid of honour
Mrs. M – Thanks! Yeah, I’m blessed that it wasn’t worse!! I did look through some of J’s wedding pics, the girls looked great!!
I saw some of the Costa Rica pics, it looked like it was for a wedding as well? Looks like you had a nice relaxing time!
Whoa. Even though you say you're wincing, it looks to me as if you're smiling in that picture. It pretty much makes me love you. I hope you're doing well now & I'm thinking of you and hoping for as speedy a recovery as possible!!
And to me, your blog IS some "random blog", but it's a goodun so that definitely counts for something! :p
So if this 15 year difference is not a big deal, how is it that I ended up right in the sugar daddy categoty?!
Angie Dawn – The chart was meant to be tongue in cheek, so of course you’re free to date whoever you like!
Thanks for the nice words, I’m recovering pretty well, thanks! Also glad you consider my blog a “goodun”! Thanks!!