Thirteen-year-old Celine Paik of Norman was removing a sugar and water mixture from the microwave when she accidentally spilled the hot liquid onto her left hand. “The pain was instant,” she remembers. “I knew it was bad immediately.”
Her mother, Hyunjoo Lim, put her hand in cold water and took her to the emergency room. They were referred to the
Paul Silverstein Burn Center at
INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center. That is where they met
William Nechtow, D.O., a general surgeon with fellowship training in surgical critical care specializing in complex burn injuries.
“Celine sustained a second-degree burn on her hand, which means there was redness and blisters but that it would ultimately heal with time and treatment,” says Nechtow. “The real concern came with the fact that she had orchestra tryouts in a couple days and was worried she wouldn’t heal in time for her audition.”
Celine has a deep passion for music and even at her young age had been playing the cello for years. “She was trying out for the North Central Honor Orchestra, which is a regional event,” explains her mother. “She would be competing against kids her age and older for a few coveted spots. We were concerned that she wouldn’t be able to play her best as her hand was wrapped in bandages.”
Nechtow prescribed a burn ointment and a special glove that allowed her to continue playing the cello while her hand healed. By the day of the tryouts, Celine was mostly healed and thankfully wasn’t in much pain. Despite her ill-timed injury and subsequent bandaging, Celine was selected as the 8th-chair cello.
“I was a little disappointed with my audition,” she admits. “But I am truly excited and very thankful to have been accepted – especially under these circumstances.”
Her mother agrees, “Without the treatment, I fear the burn could have become infected or left a noticeable scar and her hand wouldn’t have been ready in time. We are extremely appreciative to Dr. Nechtow and the entire burn team at INTEGRIS Health for helping make our daughter’s dream come true.”
