Travis and Ina Wheatley’s Medical Expenses

UPDATE: 1/21 Travis came off the ventilator on Tuesday. He’s been moved to a rehab facility where he’s learning how to swallow and speak again. He starts his strength therapy training tomorrow. Still one day at a time. He’s still on a feeding tube but hopefully that gets to come out soon. Once again thank you all so much for all your kindness and support! 

UPDATE: 1/15 - He has done well the last couple of days. We are hopeful he will get off the vent in the next couple of days. Today is day 12 and if we can get him off today or tomorrow he shouldn’t need the trach or peg! I’ll know more in a bit.

UPDATE: 1/12 - Well, we thought we had made some improvements however overnight he’s crashed again. They are placing a new chest tube for the left lung and starting another arterial line to monitor blood gasses more accurately and quickly. If we are still on the vent Monday which we fully expect they plan to do a tracheotomy and place a feeding tube in his stomach. They say he is currently in ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). The doctor is confident we can get him through this trauma but it’s going to be a very long difficult process. Most likely he will be in the ICU for several more weeks. Thank you all for the continued prayers and support. 

UPDATE: 1/7- Chest tubes came out this morning. We're still watching the left lung. He's still on the vent. No surgery at this time, only goal is to get him off the vent. His vent settings went back up to 70%. So it's just a waiting game. We can’t thank everyone enough for all of the donations and calls and support we’ve received! 

UPDATE: 1/6- Not much else to report this morning. Still on the vent and still just waiting for his lungs to heal up a bit. There is talk of doing surgery to plate his rib cage. As we know more I’ll be sure to update.

UPDATE: 1/5- Ina made it up here last night for a visit! Overnight they worked on lowering his oxygen needs and we’re down to 50% which is great news. Plan today is to maintain and continue to work on clearing his lungs! We can’t thank everyone enough for all of the support!

UPDATE: Ina will be coming home today 1/4!!

UPDATE: Travis unfortunately had to be intubated late yesterday afternoon to give his lungs a chance to rest. When I have more information I will be sure to let everyone know. Out of respect for my family we do not plan to post any medical pictures. Thank you so much already for your support.

Hi friends and family. Travis and Ina Wheatley are in need of your help. Ina and Travis have been helping their niece with a project and on December 2nd Ina fell 12-15 feet from the top of a chicken house. She’s suffered a catastrophic back injury and had surgery the next day where they placed rods and pins to stabilize her spine. She is currently wheelchair bound but has regained some feel and small movements so we are very hopeful that she will walk again.

Fast forward to December 30th and Travis was determined to finish part of the project and also fell from the chicken house roof. He is now in ICU with 13 rib breaks, several in multiple places, a broken sternum and 4 compression fractures of his vertebrae. To add insult to injury he also has Covid.

With mounting medical expenses and the need now for home health to aid in recovering not one but two back injuries we are asking for help. Ina will be coming home Friday and we are hopeful that Travis won’t be long after her. Anything helps as we move forward to getting Ina back to teaching High School Science and back in her gardens. Travis back to welding and tinkering and building half the fences in the county! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share.