Update: 6 week mark

It has been 6 weeks now since Travis' accident. He keeps doing well every week. He is in a new ward, ward 57. It's an orthapedic ward, so they can start focusing on his pelvic and back injuries. His backside wound is almost closed up. Only a week or two, and it will be closed! After it is, the docs will be able to work on his back. We don't know what they have to do yet for his back, so we'll see! Today, Travis got accupuncture to try and relieve some pain. He said it helped a little, but they would have to do it every hour to ease the pain constantly. He's on a lot of pain meds, and most of the time they help to alleviate, but as you can imagine, it is still very painful. Mostly his back and pelvis are hurting. Which, it can be good, because that means that he's feeling! He has nerve damage to his right leg, and the docs said that nerves heal 1 millimeter a day! His legs are probably 3 and a half feet long, so you do the math! He is so brave though. All the nurses say how brave he is being. He doesn't complain, and understands that when the poke and prod at him, it's for his own good!

Update: Another surgery..

An awesome update from Steph:

Hey everyone! I hope all is well with everyone. We are still pluggin along here! Travis had another surgery today. I think this was his 25th one? I don't keep track very well! All went well with the surgery. They cleaned out his backside wound, and it looks very healthy and growing together nicely. He is so postive all the time, and so brave through the pain. Every doc and nurse that comes in to see Trav say he's going to make a full recovery! Although it may be long, it will be good! The docs have told us that they want us to stay for the entire rehabilitation period. It will probably be 6 months to a year here. It is just very good care here, and the docs have every resource they need for Travis' injury! Since we'll be staying so long, Maddy is coming out to be with us on the 28th!!!!! My parents are bringing her!!! We just can't wait! Travis hasn't seen her for 10 months, and he's ready to have his family together again!! Although it's hard to believe sometimes, family really is the greatest thing we have here! Thank you all for your love and support. Travis and I appreciate it so much!!!
Love, Steph

Update: Travis' wound vacs

Travis had another surgery today. Every Monday and Thursday he goes in for a wound wash out. The wound in his backside and stomach get cleaned out and checked out to see if there's any infection. He also has "wound vacs" in his wounds. They are teeny vacuums that keep the wound clear of excess fluid, so the wound will heel from the inside out. Today was a good surgery day. There was no infections, and they took out his stomach wound vac because it has heeled so well! They sutured his stomach through all the layers, and will keep a close eye on it for infection. It was a good day overall.

Update: Making progress

Travis is in surgery again right now. He goes every three days to get his wounds washed out, to prevent infection, and see if they can close anymore of the wounds up. Having surgeries is hard, as I'm sure all of you know, and it seems just as Travis recoops well from one surgery, he's onto another one. But as I said, he is strong! He is so brave too. Because of his broken back, the nurses have to turn him on his side to wash his back and make sure there's no bed sores, and it is SO painful, but Travis just grits his teeth and bares it, because he knows it has to be done. He is my hero. His latest efforts have been to get his motor skills on track, and to start moving his arms and legs. It is so exhausting to him just to do 5 mins of physical therapy (PT); and in turn, it takes all day to work with him. He does little bits of PT at a time, take a break, then start again.

Update on Travis

Hey all. Sorry it's been a few days, but as they say here, no news is good news. Travis keeps on doing good. He has been in a lot of pain though. He has an external fixator on his pelvis, which are bars holding is pelvis in place. He also has 2 screws in his pelvis that will probably stay in forever. His L1 and L2 vertebrae are broken, so he can't sit up straight yet, and that causes him a lot of discomfort. His wounds are closing up nicely though. His infections are gone, and he's feeling better in that way! No more fevers! He's been starting his physical therapy, which is just small movements with his legs and arms, but we have to start somewhere! He's being very strong, tough, and brave. He has a lot of strength to get through this! God is with him, and giving him his wonderful personality and positive feelings.

New Address

Hey Everyone. I have a new address for Travis and Steph. Email me if you need it. Thanks.

Update: Out of ICU today! Chest tubes out!

Trav is doing really good. He got out of ICU today! They took out his chest tube, and he's breathing very well now. His pain levels are still pretty high, but he is tough! We still don't know how long he'll be out here, but the docs say he is out of the woods. His infections are all but gone, and so is his pnemonia! Thank you all so very very much for your love and prayers. They are so felt here.

Salt Lake Tribune article

Utah soldier hurt overseas - The Associated Press
CEDAR CITY - A soldier from southern Utah was severely injured in Afghanistan when land mines destroyed his vehicle, his mother said. Travis Wood, 23, a soldier with the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, suffered extensive injuries Jan. 14, including a fractured neck and spine, a crushed pelvis and various leg injuries, The Spectrum of St. George reported Thursday. ''All I really want is for everybody to pray for my Travis,'' his mother, Yvonne Wood, said. View Full Story

Letter from my mom

Here is a message from my mom that she wanted me to pass on:

Hi Everyone
First off I want to thank you for all your prayers and support during this rough ride. My faith has been tested, my heart has be broken, and as a mother I am helpless. I have received so much support from everyone that I could do nothing but stand tall and help Travis ride this through. I am greatful to everyone and to the US Army.
Travis is improving he is off the ventilator and breathing on his own now. His injuries although serious still have been put on the back burner as he has a more serious battle to fight. Travis is fight 2 differnt strains of Ecoli bacteria, neumonia, and some afgan virus that I cant even begin to pronounce. These things are what is keeping him down right now. They have now gotten nuclear medicine involved where the white blood cells are tagged and followed to find out where the infections are in his body. This is a timely thing and I am anxious ok impatiently waiting the results. Travis is in good spirits and now knows of his injuries and exactly where they are. He is positive thru this and says "Well they better fix me cause Im not leaving the army". He would say that. He has had 18 surgeries as of yesterday and is scheduled again for monday morning. His stomach is almost sewn shut now and looks good, his pelvis is still in the afixiator and will be for another 12 weeks as the secrum bone that connects the two sides of the pelvis was broken in 3 places. It has been surgically pinned but no guarentees. His knees have started healing nicely as you cant see much of the holes there any more, His neck has been cleared of fractures. His lower back and L spine are not cleared as he does have a broken back. He wiggles his toes and moves his hands on command. In two weeks he has made miricles and me happy, This has been a real test of faith for me. When he first showed up he had no use of his kidneys and they were not working. Today I am happy to say he has not had dyalisis in 3 days and he is making the most beautiful color of pee you could imagine considering what it was. His recovery is going so well he may get out of SICU soon. He has his first meal in three weeks last night but prefered water. My travis is strong and brave and will survive this. I just thought I would thank all of you for your prayers and let you know in a few weeks providing he continues on this great path I will be able to come home for a while.
Anyway thank you again for everything

Update: Travis got to eat :)

Update from Steph:

Hello to everybody! Travis is doing so much better! He had a swallow test done today, where they stick a camera up your nose and watch you swallow different things. He did almost perfectly! He's finally able to eat pudding, orange juice, yogurt, and those sorts of things! He is very happy. After going two and a half weeks without eating, of course he's happy! His wounds are looking very good, and are starting to heal themselves! He still has a little infections, but he hasn't had a fever in almost 24 hours!!!! This is what I would call a miracle. Thank you all again for your many prayers. Travis remembers the blast of the bombs, and everything until he got the the Kandahar base. He's starting to talk about it, but it gets really tiring to talk a lot. But, overall, he is doing so well! Everytime the docs and nurses come in, they are so happy on how well he is doing. Everyday is an improvement. Hopefully in a few days, he will be able to get out of the ICU! I really want to thank you guys for all that you have done. Weather it be emails, cards, donations, or prayers. It has boosted us up here, and has really helped us, and it will continue to help us through the rest of his recovery. No news yet on how long we'll be in DC, but as long as he's healing, I'm fine with that! Love you all!!!!
Love, Steph

News Story

Hey everyone. Just to let you know, our little story was on the news last night! If you all want to see it, here is the link.

http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_032002413.html

Maddy just looks adorable (no bias or anything!) One good piece of news we had today... Travis' kidney's are working! He might not need to have dialisys anymore! If he does, it will probably just be one or two more times!!!! The docs projected at least 3 weeks of it! That is one of the many examples of a miracle that has happened to Travis. Thank you all for your prayers, and know that they are being listened to! I love you all!
Here is a link to the newspaper story in Cedar City as well.

http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070201/NEWS01/702010304