9-year-old burn survivor home for the holidays after 9 months in hospital

PHOENIX — Battling infections and blood clots that came alongside third-degree burns, 9-year-old Isabella McCune gets to be home just in time for the holidays.

She spent the last nine months in the Burn Center at the Maricopa Medical Center after she caught on fire while standing near her family’s barbecue on St. Patrick’s Day.

As she was released from the hospital, Isabella was reunited with the same Phoenix firefighters who were the first to respond to her accident.

The crew from Phoenix Fire Engine 45 greeted her with hugs and kisses as she was helped into the room in her wheelchair decorated with tinsel.

.@PHXFire reunited with Isabella McCune, 9-year-old burn survivor who is being discharged from the Arizona Burn Center after 9 months of care.
Here is Isabella & the crew from Phoenix Fire Engine 45 who responded to the fire at the family‘s north Phoenix home in March. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/pMTxY1o3go

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) December 17, 2018

“It’s amazing to see them,” Isabella said.

“They were being really nice and helpful. They were so calm it helped me relax.”

Phoenix Fire engineer David Ford told KTAR News 92.3 FM, “We’re not heroes, we’re just servants of the city. The heroes are that little girl that went through all that pain and recovery.”

During Isabella’s hospitalization, she endured countless skin graft treatments all the while fighting infections, one even creating a blood clot within her heart.

But she also had a surprise visit from pop star Taylor Swift back in May, which she said she’ll never forget.

“She was so nice. Just like you’d imagine, but nicer, and she was so tall,” Isabella said with a smile.

Sitting beside her parents and the firefighters who saved her life back in March, Isabella spoke about the care she received at the Maricopa Medical Center.

“All the nurses, techs and doctors do their best to make sure you’re fine and not in pain. Because of that I want to be a burn nurse,” she said.

Isabella still uses a wheel chair for long distances and will do so until she fully regains strength and balance.

“The thing I remember the most on that call is how calm she was. She was just standing there waiting for us to help her,” Phoenix Fire’s David Ford said.

“She’s well beyond her years. I’d be proud to be her dad.”

Dr. Kevin Foster, director of the burn center, described Isabella as “so positive” during her recovery.

“She’s had ups and downs like everyone does … She showed a level of maturity beyond the level of any 9-year-old I’ve ever seen,” he said.

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