Update: Deflated lung

I think I forgot to tell you guys about Travis deflated lung? Anyway, since they couldn't bang it open, they've had to put chest tubes through his chest, and near his lungs. There has been pockets of fluid and air that have formed near his lung, which made it deflate. So far, the chest tubes have done an OK job. The surgeons are putting a new one in today, in a different spot, to try and suck out all the unwanted elements.

Update: Breathing on his own!

Email from Steph:

We've had a really good 3 days. Travis is doing very well in fighting his infection. The docs took out his breathing tube today! he's been able to talk, but is still not quite sure what is really going on. They are keeping him on good pain medicine, so he's loopy, but still talking! He doesn't know what his wounds are yet, and we'll tell him once he settles in with breathing on his own. He has his personality back though! He's teasing me and Yvonne, and flirting with the nurse. He has asked for Mountain Dew too! Obvioulsy, he can't have it yet, and he doesn't like that! Hopefully he won't have to go to surgery for a few days, so his body can start healing on its own. Thank you all for your prayers and love. It means the world to me and Travis. We love you all!

A miracle last night!

Travis pulled through last night with a miracle. The infection has all but diminished, and the docs say that he will pull through. He is still sick, but he is past the scariest part. He got a blessing last night from an LDS Social Worker and doc here. It was a beautiful blessing, which said Travis will recover from this. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your prayers. I know that they are being heard, and God is with us here. The peace that is here is overwhelming, and the strength that Travis has is amazing. He sends his love to you all, as do I. Thank you so much, and keep the faith. God is here with us, and carries us through are hard times if we can hold to our faith, and work hard!

Update: Prayers needed!!

Here is a copy of an email I received from Stephanie this morning.

Hey everybody. I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that Travis was doing great. He is still in ICU, with a ventalator (the tube that breaths for him), and is not awake. He wakes up every now and then, and can blink to us yes or no, but he can't move yet. He has been running fevers, but we've tried to keep them down. Today we had a big set back. He got a terrible infection in one of his wounds. It is very severe, and we will see what the next 12 hours brings. He is in surgery almost everyday getting his wounds cleaned out. He fractured his plevis, and the doc put two screws in it to keep it together. He won't be able to walk or at least 12 weeks. I don't mean this to be a depressing email. I know that all your prayers have been with us here, and are helping. There are some LDS docs here, and have given Trav blessings, which are the most comforting feeling in the world. Travis will get through this, but it will be a VERY long time for him to fully recover. Thank you so much for your love and support. I love you all.
Steph

Update: New pic of Trav

Just thought you all would like to see Travis. his face is still Handsome. I will send more when I can. he is doing good. they did try to take him off the respirator but he got anxious and they put him back on. I think some of you heard that he had 2 broken femurs that was not the case. he has a broken pelvis and 2 vertebras. he is on dialysis but not sure of the kidney damage. they did take out some of his intestines. his Colin is not gone just badly bruised as is his liver and bladder. tomorrow he will have another surgery to clean out his stomach. and I think repair his pelvic. I will try to keep everyone updated as I know

Update: Still on the ventilator.

Hey all. This is the latest update of Travis. The docs tried to take him off the ventilator today, but he had a hard time, so they put him back on. They also woke him up this morning, and he knows what is going on, and that we're here, but he's still having a hard time moving his body. We will have to see what the next few days hold. If you need his address, let me know!

Travis is leaving Germany.

Hi all, I talked to my mom this morning at 8am .and she asked me to pass this info on. Travis is not there yet he should be arriving sometime around 4:00pm to Washington DC from Germany. Travis is stable but is now fighting an infection from his open wounds. they put a filter in his leg so that the blood clot would not break apart and cause problems. I will be going there 1st thing in the morning to be with them and will be there most of the weekend.
you can call me anytime is you cant get ahold of my mom. I know Travis will endure more surgeries once he gets here. Please pass this info on I dont have everyones email.
Please pray from him to have comfort!!

Travis was injured at War...

I dont know where to begin. My brother Travis was injured in Kandahar, Afganistan. He has sustained so many injuries that my mind is so jumbled right now I couldn't begin to list them all. He broke his legs, back and just about every bone in his body. He cracked his skull, pelvis and hip. He crushed his cheek and butt bones. He is having kidney and liver problems at the moment as well as e coli, phnemonia, viral infections, blood clotting and high fevers. I will keep everyone posted as I get information on this blog. I will let you know more when I know more. HE IS GOING TO PULL THROUGH GUYS!! HE JUST HAS TO!! HE'S SO STRONG AND IS A BORN FIGHTER! PLEASE PRAY FOR HIS COMFORT AND STRENGTH THROUGH THIS. ITS GOING TO BE A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY.