(MCCOOK, Neb.) — A workplace accident has left Thatcher Skolout hospitalized and clinging on to life by the day through the power of prayer.
Shelby Skolout has shown tremendous strength and courage as she has stood by her husband Thatcher who was seriously injured in an explosion near McCook. She has been a source of inspiration as she draws on her faith in Christ, caring for her little boy and shouldering so much during this time of struggle. Here is her most recent update on her beautiful family.
Update on Thatcher:
Evening of March 25, 2024
“On the bright side Thatcher’s hemoglobin levels went up so that is good! There’s currently no concern now for any internal bleeding.
Physical therapy got him up today on the edge of the bed again and he did well. They had asked him to give them a thumbs up! They helped him form his hand slightly but then he did the rest then kept it there! He squeezed my hand. He also made eye contact with his dad and with me! He got tired after a bit so they laid him back in bed!
I was talking to Thatcher later this evening a couple hours ago and was telling him how proud of him I have been in fighting to come back to our family! And told him all the things we still have yet to do. As I was getting all sentimental on him and I was holding his hand, he took his thumb and pointer finger and rubbed it back and forth on my hand and I have to believe that this was his way of comforting ME and trying to tell me that it was going to be just fine.
Thank you Jesus for today’s wins! I will continue to praise you in this storm and lift my hands because you are who you are no matter where I am.”
Update: The family of 25-year-old Thatcher Skolout is sharing that he is being cared for at the ICU in Kearney where he is expected to remain sedated for at least 5 days since he was injured in an explosion. Medical personnel are monitoring and taking steps to reduce swelling on his brain.
Thatcher’s wife Shelby Skolout wants to thank the army of people who helped get him to Kearney. She knows that many of the emergency personnel know her husband.
The family is amazed by the love and prayers offered up for them. Shelby says the next 72 hours are critical and there is a long road ahead. The family is praying for a full recovery.
Original post :
Sheriff Kevin Darling of the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office reports a 24-year-old man was injured and flown to Kearney after a propane tank he was converting into a smoker exploded Monday.
Around 5:20 pm Monday McCook dispatch began receiving calls of an explosion south of McCook along Hwy 83.
Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department and McCook Fire and Ambulance as well as Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office responded.
The explosion was reported by neighbors as they couldn’t determine the source. It was discovered that a propane tank had exploded. A press release reveals that the young man “was apparently in the process of converting the empty tank into a smoker.”
The press release further details the incident, “It appeared that the subject took precautions to use water inside the tank to displace the vapor but was apparently insufficient to displace all the vapors.
While attempting to cut the tank with a cutter torch the vapors were ignited causing the explosion. He was wearing a respirator at the time and had taken other precautions as well.”
There was a delay in discovering the injured man by several minutes due to the callers not knowing exactly where the explosion had occurred. The original caller contacted their neighbors, who in turn went to their residence and discovered their injured son.
On EMS and Fire’s arrival a trauma code was initiated with McCook Community Hospital and arrangements were made to transfer the victim by air to a higher level of care, Good Samaritan Kearney.
Injuries to the man are serious, and out of respect for him and his family his name is not being released at this time. We can certainly pray for him and his family.
UPDATE:
Fire Chief Mark Harpham confirms an explosion south of McCook around 5:20 pm Monday. He confirms one man was taken to McCook Hospital. The explosion was not a house. The Red Willow County Sheriff’s Department is lead on this situation. Prayers please.
Breaking news: in rural Red Willow County/McCook area.
From what I understand there has been some sort of explosion and at least one injury. Responders are on scene. Helicopter may be on scene too. I have reached out to the McCook Police Department but they are working a call. I will update when more details are available.
If you would like to wish this family well, or donate in any way, here is a start. Thatcher’s wife is sharing updates on his condition as she feels appropriate. Such a lovely, strong family. I pray for his healing and their continued strength.
Thatcher was injured in an explosion in Red Willow County. He is hospitalized in Kearney, Nebraska.
Excerpt from one of Shelby’s posts. A God fearing woman, she asks for prayers (Shelby is Thatcher’s wife):
“As of what you can do, truly just prayer for now! Some of the things you can pray for specifically are:
1. God would continue to help me be at peace and keep me calm.
2. He would help prepare my heart for the worst but also help me not to dwell on the possibilities that come to mind
3. That I can keep some food/ water down.. I’ve been pretty nauseous and shaken. The nerves are getting to me sometimes.
4. That I can focus on caring for my son and being there for his needs too! There’s been so many people here helping me today/keeping an eye on him which helps.
5. That I can be reminded to be the WIFE and FEEL, not the nurse and fix/worry.
6. That God would give me the words if there are people around me that can be witnessed to through this horrible situation, because God’s work is still very much the priority and I want to be a light to those around me that they may question (and more importantly that I can answer) WHY I have peace in this chaos.”
March 14, 2024
Journal Entry by Shelby Skolout
“The doctor updated us on more detailed information shortly after I updated you all this morning:
– Thatcher was pre-medicated with mannitol last night in hopes to keep his intercranial pressures down through the night (which is a drug that pulls excess fluid from the brain in order to eliminate it though his urine). Thankfully it worked and his pressures remained stable through the night. And are currently remaining stable as of now. This is still a very critical time, and the doctors have made it very clear. We are not out of the woods. There is still a lot of swelling to be had and today very well could be the hardest. And brain injuries. A lot of the swelling is the most critical in the first 3 to 5 days, and could even be longer for some individuals.
– They had done cultures of several areas of his body to pinpoint the source of the suspected infection. The cultures drawn from the lung did come back with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria so they have put him on two antibiotics (vancomycin and zosyn) until they know what specific bacteria it is where they will eventually treat with more specific antibiotics. They do suspect it to be aspiration pneumonia, which is caused by Food/Fluid/other contents that get into the lungs (kinda like when you choke on water and it “goes down the wrong pipe”) this could’ve been caused by the pressure of the explosion possibly, forcing any stomach contents out and up, then back into the lungs. From my previous knowledge, this is pretty common, and it is being treated right away. Because of this they have needed to increase the oxygen needs being given on his ventilator but he is still not maxed out on this and doing okay in that department.
– One thing the doctors are thankful for is that before this event, thatcher was already extremely healthy, has a strong heart, and being young is on his side.
My main hope and prayer for today, again, is that his pressures remain manageable by nonsurgical options! Please continue to pray that we don’t have to resort to surgery.
Today, I am more encouraged than I have been in this entire process. God has overcome me with unexplainable peace and comfort today. He’s a compassionate God!!
Please don’t stop reading here, this is the most important part of my update.
Originally at the beginning of the situation, I was obviously heartbroken and devastated, but you wouldn’t believe the amount of growth I’ve had in my faith in the last few days. Not to say that I didn’t have faith in my God before, but the closeness that I have with Jesus is different now. My new hope and goal for today is to love on those around me. I have met a few people in the waiting room here. A lot of them have gut, wrenching stories just like me and are in all walks of life! Please join me in praying for them too. Because I have an overwhelming amount of prayer warriors, I want you all to be there for these specific families too. I don’t know how many people are praying for them, if they know Jesus as their savior, or what they’re whole stories are but please pray for their journey too:
Joe (wife has had breast cancer for many many years and they are now withdrawing care. He’s about 45 or 50 maybe and has two kids 7 and 10 years old.)
Randy (wife and kids say he has been here since January 17th. Was in a bad car accident and still in critical condition).
Finally, this is the verse I’m choosing to live by today:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
God has us all right where He wants us always, and just because something horrible has happened does NOT mean that his work is not the most important thing we can do. Our purpose is to serve Him and be His light. Just as you all have been a light to me, I’d like to do this for others too.”
For those that wish to support Thatcher’s recovery and rehabilitation:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-thatcher-skolout-and-his-family