We are pleased to report that captain, Chris Tomlinson, is safely at home from the injuries he sustained in a house fire Tuesday evening. Below is an account of the events from that night and his recovery.

Wednesday, October 22nd

My final visit with the surgeon was today and he’s totally released me from his care.

We had a good discussion about how life is going to be from now on and of course it will change, but over time things will get better.

He did say that I have about a 10% chance of creating the exact same injury because of the fusion, but I can live with those odds. I probably have a better chance of lightning striking me than I do of blowing out another disc.

The only other long-term issue I face will be with medications that attempt to control the “stingers” I still get in my arms. It’s called “referral pain” and it feels like a stinging/tingling sensation that just rockets down my arms.

So I hope to be rejoining the fire department on a limited basis before years end and then be back in the full swing of things by early spring next year.

Thursday, June 26th

I had my second to last visit with the surgeon today and we discussed how things are progressing and determined whether or not I should stay under his care.

For now I am under his care until at least September when I am to set up one last appointment and finalize any further treatments or medications.

He did verify with me that I will NEVER have 100% movement with my head again and that my spinal cord could take up to two years to heal. At which time it may never truly “heal” and I might suffer stinging/aching pains in my arms for years to come.

All in all I’m happy to be progressing, but I can tell a huge difference in what I can and cannot do. Running seems to jar my neck around which causes pain. Sudden jerking movements such as being startled by a loud bang can cause me to spin my head quickly and create pain.

So for now I need to try and be very diligent in my exercises, taking medications when necessary and wearing my bone fusion stimulator.

Thursday, April 10th

This is the second meeting with the doctor and things are progressing they way they should.

I have been released to full-time work as of today, but with continued physical therapy 3-times a week for 8 more weeks.

My lifting restrictions are now based on what I “feel” and to avoid any situation that is uncomfortable for me.

The fire department is still a no-go until at least late June or early July. And my light-duty status may be continued after that when I meet with the doctor yet again in early June.

Monday, March 3rd

I had my first appointment with the surgeon to check on my progress today and here are the details:

- I’m still not allowed to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk

- I am allowed to drive again

- He’s given me permission to return to work on a “light duty” status

- The progress on my left hand is not as good as he’d like, so I start physical therapy soon 3 times a week for 4 weeks

- Will not return to any firefighting activities for at least 3 months if not more

- I’ve been fitted with a bone fusion stimulator similar to this one and wear that 4-hours a day anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months.

Fri – Sun

Family, friends and fellow fire departments stop by or send their wishes for a speedy recovery.

Most of my time is spent resting and watching television during all hours of the day and night.

I return to see the doctor on March 3rd to evaluate my progress and determine if therapy is needed.

Thursday, february 14th

Approximately 07:00

I am cleared to leave the trauma unit and be placed in a shared room.

11:30

A physical therapist visits to evaluate my current condition and progress. We go through a very small grouping of tests and she finds that I’m doing extremely well and has cleared me to at least freely walk about the floor I’m on to “knock the stink off” as my wife would say.

16:00

After reviewing all medical charts and my current condition I am released from Parkview Memorial to return home with a mandatory bed rest for the next few days.

19:15

My other “family” came to visit and see how I was doing. Felt great to see the gang and let them know I was doing fine. It was also good to recount the events and answer some questions people had about Tuesday night.

Wednesday, February 13th

Approximately 04:30

After a CAT-scan and an MRI, the resident surgeon advised me and my family that I had a slipped disc and it was pressing against the spinal cord which was the cause of the tenderness and tingling in my arms. He recommended surgery right away.

By 08:00 I was in recovery with reports from the doctor that everything went very well and they expected very good results from the work they completed.

Tuesday, february 12th

Approximately 22:45

As I entered the structure with another firefighter from Tank204, we had discovered that the interior crews had a very good handle on the situation and we went into salvage / overhaul mode. After removing a few items from the residence I made my way into the kitchen area where a firefighter was extinguishing some minor hot spots in the attic. Suddenly, without any warning the ceiling collapsed on me and from what I’ve been told two others.

After a momentarily loss of consciousness I realized that I had been injured and was buried in drywall and blown insulation.

I felt extreme pain / tingling in both arms and listened to my crew as they cleared the debris from around me. The slightest movement or even touch of my arms was almost impossible to bear at times.

They moved me to Medic 21 where EMT’s and Paramedics assessed the situation at hand. We then proceeded to Parkview ER where we were met by a neurosurgeon and a team of trauma specialists.