I AM HOME!

I CAME HOME ON THE 5TH OF FEBRUARY AND IT FEELS GREAT! ALTHOUGH NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO STAY HOME. I QUICKLY TOOK OFF THE NEXT THURSDAY AND HEADED DOWN SOUTH TO ST GEORGE. WE HAD A FUN WEEKEND IN THE SUN, WATCHING WILL PLAY IN HIS SOCCER TOURNAMENT AND HANGING OUT WITH SYDNEY. IT WAS HARD TO COME BACK TO THIS COLD WEATHER!
YES, I AM HOME, BUT NOW THE WORK BEGINS! AFTER LAYING AROUND FOR 3 MONTHS AND THEN THE LAST 15 DAYS IN AGGRESSIVE REHAB.............I AM READY FOR SOME ACTIVITY.
I ACTUALLY WALKED FOR THE FIRST TIME, WITH A FOREARM WALKER, THE END OF JANUARY. I HAVE TAKEN ABOUT 50-75 STEPS A DAY SINCE. I CAN'T WAIT TO SHAKE THE ALUMINUM ACCESSORY AND DO IT ON MY OWN! THE WHEELCHAIR IS MY MAIN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION NOW. (IT'S DEFINITELY TEMPORARY)
AFTER MY CHECK-UP TODAY WITH MY ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST, I FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND TO HAVE THE MOVEMENT I HAVE. I WILL MAKE A FULL RECOVERY! NOT SURE I WILL BE AS QUICK ON MY FEET, BUT I FEEL BLESSED! I AM FULL OF RODS, SCREWS AND PLATES, BUT NO WORRIES! I AM DETERMINED TO GET BACK TO A HUM DRUM BORING LIFE! AND THE FOOD IS MUCH BETTER!
THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE MY CHEFS, CHAUFFEURS, AND HOUSEKEEPERS! LIFE IS GOOD!
I LOVE EACH OF YOU!

Traci is coming home!!

Friday, February 5th, Traci will be leaving the Rehab Center and coming home for the first time since November 1st, 2009. She is filled with mixed emotions, gratitude and love. The Elders and Priests in the ward, under the direction of Wade Mattson, built a first class ramp to facilitate her wheel chair getting in and out of the house. Traci can walk on her own, but will need to practice and get more steady on her feet. Every weekday but Thursday, she will return to rehab for therapy. The Relief Society has arranged meals and is ready and willing to help out any where they are needed. WELCOME HOME!!

I AM STANDING!

Traci started today in the pool. She is standing and putting weight on her feet.

Young Women Visit

For our combined Young Women activity, we all piled in cars and went to visit Traci. We purchased an older looking Book of Mormon and each young woman that was willing to commit to reading the Book of Mormon for the stake virtue challenge signed the book. We presented the book to Traci and talked about our experiences as we read and finished, or didn't finish the Book of Mormon. It was a touching reunion, full of laughter, hugs and tears. Traci, you are truely a Christlike example to all of us! We love you!

I HAVE MOVED!!

I AM NOW LIVING BACK AT UTAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. I HAVE GRADUATED TO REHAB AND IF ALL GOES WELL, I WILL BE HOME IN 2 WEEKS! I CAN'T WAIT!

THE LAST SURGERY WENT WELL. I HAVE IMPROVED THE RANGE OF MOTION IN BOTH KNEES AND IT FEELS GREAT TO SEE MY LEGS BEND!

I WILL SPEND THE NEXT 2 WEEKS SWIMMING IN A 90 DEGREE POOL, STRETCHING MY KNEES, AND TRYING TO TURN MY FLAB BACK INTO MUSCLE! IT'S A LONG ROAD AHEAD!

THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE PRAYED FOR ME AND MY FAMILY! I HAVE ENJOYED ALL THE VISITS, TEXTS AND CARDS!

LOTS OF LOVE TO YOU ALL!
TRACI

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE CEDAR PASS 2ND WARD YOUNG WOMEN AND YW LEADERS: SEEING ALL OF YOU ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEANT THE WORLD TO ME. THE SPECIAL GIFT THAT YOU GAVE TO ME TOUCHED ME DEEPLY. I LOVED THE NEW BOOK OF MORMON YOU GAVE ME TOO! I CAN'T WAIT TO BE BACK WITH YOU!

Update

Traci went under the knife again on Wednesday. Surgery #10. They did whatever it is they do to break up the scar tissue in both of her knees. She is continuing her therapy and is very sore.

THANK YOU! FROM TRACI

NOW THAT I AM MORE ALERT, I CAN UPDATE YOU MYSELF AND GIVE CONNIE A BREAK! THANK YOU CONNIE FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS BLOG! YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT FRIEND!

THANKS TO EVERYONE! I WANT TO SEND EACH OF YOU A THANK YOU NOTE! I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL CARDS, EMAILS, BLOG COMMENTS, TREATS, GOOD FOOD, AND MANY VISITS. I EVEN HAD MY HOSPITAL ROOM DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS! IT IS GREAT TO HEAR FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE I HAVEN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME. I APPRECIATE EACH OF YOU. YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND LOVE HAVE MEANT MORE TO ME THAN ANYTHING. I ATTRIBUTE MY QUICK RECOVERY TO ALL THE LOVE AND PRAYERS I RECEIVE. KEEP THEM COMING! I FEEL SO MUCH LOVE THROUGH YOUR ACTS OF KINDNESS! THANK YOU!!!

TODAY I HAD ME FIRST SHOWER SINCE NOVEMBER 1ST! IT WAS FABULOUS! I WILL NEVER TAKE SHOWERING FOR GRANTED AGAIN! HOW LUCKY WE ARE!

I WILL BE HAVING MY 10TH SURGERY TOMORROW. THEY WILL GO INTO MY RIGHT LEG AND LOOSEN UP AND REMOVE THE SCAR TISSUE. THAT LEG SEEMS TO BE GIVING ME THE MOST TROUBLE. WHILE UNDER ANESTHESIA THEY WILL MANIPULATE ALL MY OTHER JOINTS AND WORK THRU THE SCAR TISSUE. MY ARMS ARE DOING GREAT! I HAVE ALMOST 100% MOBILITY! JUST A BIT MORE!

AS FOR WALKING....I HAVE TO WAIT 10-12 WEEKS FROM THE SURGERY DATES BEFORE I CAN PUT ANY WEIGHT ON MY ARMS AND LEGS. LOOKS LIKE I WILL GO TO THE UTAH VALLEY REHAB CENTER ABOUT THE BEGINNING TO MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE POOL THERE!

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN! IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME TO HAVE SUCH GREAT FRIENDS! I LOVE EACH OF YOU!

Update

Schroeders at church on Sunday. Sydney in her new Christmas outfit and the "Guys in their Christmas ties!"

Update

Christmas with the family Will and Sam spent Christmas eve at the hospital with Traci. Quint and Sydney joined them in the morning. They had a wonderful time opening presents and being together. That night, Quint and the kids went to the Schroeder Christmas gathering and Traci had a steady stream of visitors.

Update

Traci has been busy with physical therapy. She is rolled to the therapy room in a bed where she can sit up. She has therapy each day on her legs and then on her arms. All of the casts are off and she just has a brace on her left arm. With this arm, she can touch her forehead. Yeah!! Also for two hours a day,each leg, she has a machine that sits on her bed and keeps her legs moving. Now, the part to be jealous of. When you sit in a hospital bed all day and do very little with your hands, you are able to grow gorgeous fingernails!

Update

Fantastic News! Traci was able to sit up this last Wednesday! The braces have been taken off her legs, too! She said she feels like she could begin to handle a few visitors now. First you would need to text her at 801-864-1625 and make an appointment. If she doesn't text you back right away, please be patient. They are keeping her very busy. The best time to see her would be from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. as her mornings are scheduled with therapy and other needs. The food there is very bland so if you are going and want to take something, just a very small amount of your last nights dinner, a bean burrito(with extra red sauce) from Taco Bell, a pork salad fron Cafe Rio to split with her, anything would hit the spot. Your visit is what she would appreciate most, so feel free to text her. Traci is in Utah Valley Speciality Hospital at 306 W. River Bend Lane.

Traci also loves jumba juice with protien.

Update

Great news!! The doctor took off my leg braces today! The catheter should come out tomorrow! I got to sit up today and they took me to the gym for a change of scenery. I might get my right arm cast off tomorrow! It really feels great! Thanks for your prayers. It means a lot to have your love and support! Traci

Kathy was there when Traci got to sit up - she got video! (this will come soon)

Update

They have continued exercising Traci's legs twice a day. Although this needs to be done, it is very hard and draining. We would ask that your prayers still focus on her legs. She has a blood clot in her right calf and it is very hard to get movement from her left knee. She has good times and frustrating times due to Traci's strong spirit and her will to get better. She loves hearing from you!

Update

Traci worked her legs out twice today and doesn't feel too bad. She is able to do a little texting to keep in touch. Feel free to text encouragement to her. (make sure you tell her who you are in case your number is not in her phone) It takes her time to respond, so don't feel bad if she doesn't get back to you. As always, she is determined to work as hard as she can with her therapy. She is an amazing woman with an incredible spirit - we all knew that! Keep her in your prayers! We love you Traci!

Update

Pray for my legs! I am starting an intense painful therapy. The doctor says they will move me to live in a physical therapy hospital in two weeks if I can show some good movement in my legs. They have a pool! I need specific leg prayers. Thank you! Love ya lots! Traci

Update

Traci looks great! She is still keeping her arms as still as possible, to allow them to heal. She is staying in a beautiful facility with caring help. Quint is at her side as much as he can be to assist her. She has a "scratcher", to assist her in itching. Isn't it funny when you have an itch, you itch it, and then you itch every where? Put on top of that, bandages and not being able to move!

Will has the release to return to school and he will be doing this in January. He is doing very well. I did learn that he bit through his tounge during the wreck.

Update

"Yeahhhhhhhh! I just got my feeding tube out!!! The Bone Doctor is coming tomorrow to take out the stitches, staples and change the dressings! Progress!! Traci

Please continue to correspondance to the Schroeder home address.

Update

The doctor has been gradually decreasing Traci's calorie intake (through her feeding tube)with the hope to increase her appetite. If all goes as planned, Traci should be able to have Turkey Dinner tomorrow.

For two weeks, she is supposed to keep her arms as still as possible. This will give the her healing an extra boost. Moving isn't something that Traci can do easily anyway, but it does help with comfort.

Sydney is home from school and they enjoyed the afternoon to evening visiting. Traci is less medicated and able to carry on a conversation, unlike when Sydney was home last time. This is a blessing!

Update

My biggest desire with this blog is to keep you informed about the Schroeders and to celebrate the little things with them. They feel of your love and prayers and appreciate all you have done in their behalf. Traci has been moved to her "short term home" and is getting settled in. She has strict instructions as to her activity and she is wanting to get adjusted to her new routine before she has visitors. Her goal is to be in a wheelchair by the new year, when she can start her physical therapy. She is focusing on her mental health to better prepare herself for the road ahead.

Sydney will be home tomorrow for the holidays and Traci is looking forward to spending some time with her. Will can visit occasionally. Spending Thanksgiving together as a family will be extra special for them this year. They have so much to be thankful for.

Please continue to keep the family in your prayers. Hopefully, within a few weeks, Traci will be adjusted to her routine and ready for visitors. Thanks again for your love!

Update

Reasons to be thankful not to be in ICU:

same size room,
family can come anytime,
the food is better,
LESS PAIN!
and a great day!

costs less too! lol!!