Firefighter Becky Quigley, a Salmon River Hotshot who was seriously injured last month on the Silver Fire in Plumas County, came home to Weed Tuesday of last week after being released from Chico’s Enloe Hospital, where she spent most of the past month in intensive care.
Before even reaching Weed, Quigley was honored by a group of 70 firefighters and family members who displayed a banner from the Lassen Lane overpass in Mount Shasta that read: “Welcome Home Becky.”
The look on Becky’s face as her father eased his truck to the shoulder to let her take in the moment said it all.
“She was surprised all right,” said Darin Quigley.
Cheering firefighters and fire engines from CAL FIRE, Mt. Shasta City Fire Department, Mt. Shasta Fire Protection District and Weed City Fire Department lined the bridge with their “code 3” lights flashing for Becky.
“She’s doing good... we’re happy to have her home,” her father said. “But it's going to take a while for her to fully recover.”
The I-5 surprise was orchestrated by CAL FIRE and Weed Fire Department Captain Robert Wettstein.
“The family looked at the possibility of rehab at Enloe, but in the end they told her go home... She has progressed really well,” Wettstein said.
"It could take up to a year on her lungs (for recovery),” Darin Quigley said, noting that they are still continuing to do tests on her shoulder, as well.
The overpass banner was just one of the many demonstrations of support that the local community has shown for Becky Quigley.
Weed Elementary School also had a banner on display to welcome Becky home. It was made by sixth, seventh and eighth graders in the GATE class. Becky’s brother Brian, who is in sixth grade, was one of the many students on hand when the banner was unveiled.
Brian said he is happy to have his sister home and is glad her recovery is going so well. “I get to see her a lot now,” he added.
Becky’s homecoming came shortly after a fundraising dinner held in her honor, which saw a full house crowd in the Sons of Italy Hall and raised $20,000 that will help support her recovery.
A recent check on the carepages.com reveals that over 700 people have registered on the website to follow Becky’s progress and to show their support. At last count, almost 1,500 messages have been sent to Becky and her family.
Here is an update of a post made on Monday by Nancy Quigley, Becky's mother:
“Being home does seem to be better for Becky’s recovery, but it’s going to be a very gradual process. Her resting heart rate is still over 100 beats per minute, blood pressure is high, and oxygen levels in the low 90s. So we look forward to little goals, like getting the heart rate down into the 90s, gradually reducing the blood pressure and increasing her stamina. For someone who is used to being so physically fit, it’s a strange new world to get used to. The doctor said that we won’t know the extent of recovery in her lungs until about a year from now. Her stomach is still adjusting to having food in it (she hasn’t actually had spinach yet), but it’s getting a little bit better every day. We ask for your continued prayers for daily improvements.”
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation has been helping support the family. Donations can be made either online at wffoundation.org or sent to 2049 Airport Way, Boise, ID.
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Firefighter Becky Quigley, a Salmon River Hotshot who was seriously injured last month on the Silver Fire in Plumas County, came home to Weed Tuesday of last week after being released from Chico’s Enloe Hospital, where she spent most of the past month in intensive care.
Before even reaching Weed, Quigley was honored by a group of 70 firefighters and family members who displayed a banner from the Lassen Lane overpass in Mount Shasta that read: “Welcome Home Becky.”
The look on Becky’s face as her father eased his truck to the shoulder to let her take in the moment said it all.
“She was surprised all right,” said Darin Quigley.
Cheering firefighters and fire engines from CAL FIRE, Mt. Shasta City Fire Department, Mt. Shasta Fire Protection District and Weed City Fire Department lined the bridge with their “code 3” lights flashing for Becky.
“She’s doing good... we’re happy to have her home,” her father said. “But it's going to take a while for her to fully recover.”
The I-5 surprise was orchestrated by CAL FIRE and Weed Fire Department Captain Robert Wettstein.
“The family looked at the possibility of rehab at Enloe, but in the end they told her go home... She has progressed really well,” Wettstein said.
"It could take up to a year on her lungs (for recovery),” Darin Quigley said, noting that they are still continuing to do tests on her shoulder, as well.
The overpass banner was just one of the many demonstrations of support that the local community has shown for Becky Quigley.
Weed Elementary School also had a banner on display to welcome Becky home. It was made by sixth, seventh and eighth graders in the GATE class. Becky’s brother Brian, who is in sixth grade, was one of the many students on hand when the banner was unveiled.
Brian said he is happy to have his sister home and is glad her recovery is going so well. “I get to see her a lot now,” he added.
Becky’s homecoming came shortly after a fundraising dinner held in her honor, which saw a full house crowd in the Sons of Italy Hall and raised $20,000 that will help support her recovery.
A recent check on the carepages.com reveals that over 700 people have registered on the website to follow Becky’s progress and to show their support. At last count, almost 1,500 messages have been sent to Becky and her family.
Here is an update of a post made on Monday by Nancy Quigley, Becky's mother:
“Being home does seem to be better for Becky’s recovery, but it’s going to be a very gradual process. Her resting heart rate is still over 100 beats per minute, blood pressure is high, and oxygen levels in the low 90s. So we look forward to little goals, like getting the heart rate down into the 90s, gradually reducing the blood pressure and increasing her stamina. For someone who is used to being so physically fit, it’s a strange new world to get used to. The doctor said that we won’t know the extent of recovery in her lungs until about a year from now. Her stomach is still adjusting to having food in it (she hasn’t actually had spinach yet), but it’s getting a little bit better every day. We ask for your continued prayers for daily improvements.”
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation has been helping support the family. Donations can be made either online at wffoundation.org or sent to 2049 Airport Way, Boise, ID.
