Tracy's Tribe

On Tuesday, May 22nd, Tyler came home to find Tracy on the bathroom floor, barely responsive. The boys had been by her side, unable to help her. Tyler called 911, and she was rushed by ambulance to Aurora Lakeland Community Hospital in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

Upon arriving, they did two CT scans, along with other tests and neurology consultations with Aurora St.Lukes medical center in Milwaukee. The team determined Tracy had experienced a massive stroke and found that she had at least two clots, in both her brain and neck. She was given a very risky clot busting medication, and was brought by Flight for Life to St.Lukes in Milwaukee where she was met by the stroke response team and taken immediately into emergency surgery to remove the clots. The team was successful in removing 90% of the blockage. There are still remaining portions of the clots, but the doctors determined it would not be worth the risks to continue removing them.

After a very rough, long sleepless night of pain, and many tests, they were finally able to get a successful MRI done and found that her brain swelling was extremely severe. They called their best surgeon out of another surgery, and he rushed her to the OR to perform a five hour craniotomy (removing skull plates to allow the brain the room to swell).

Prior to the craniotomy Tracy was stable and slightly responsive, but according to the Doctors the stroke enveloped almost the entire right lobe of her brain. Her nurse stated that based upon the imaging, she is surprised at how well her cognitive function is. She knows who Tyler is. She has pain response in left side, but no motor control of anything left of center at this point.

There appears to be internal bleeding in her body, but they have not yet found the cause. There is also a great concern that the clots were derived from other, larger clots elsewhere in her body, and they are trying to find them through MRI, CT scans and ultrasound. These clots need to be found immediately, and removed, before any more portions travel, as they could become lodged in her heart or lungs, which would be instantly fatal.

We have no idea what the future looks like long term, or the extent of damage that has been done. These things will show themselves in time, most of them sooner than later.

Tyler has been told that when Tracy does get released, she will wear a helmet for months, and then eventually will need another surgery to place titanium plates in place of where her skull was removed.

Tracy and Tyler have two beautiful boys, Breydan is 10, and Logan is 7. Both boys have different forms of autism. Tracy was the full time caregiver, and homeschooling mother to her boys. Her life has been completely focused on working with her boys, and doing all she could to help them succeed in progressing forward. The boys have a very hard reality ahead. They know a little about what is happening, but the details are too much to fully share at this point. They are staying with family, but are missing “Mama”. Breydan keeps asking if he will see her again, and if she will know who he is. These are the very beginning of what this little guy is having to process. His last moments with her were very scary. This is all too much for any person, much less children.

We are reaching out in desperation. This family above all needs prayer for strength, for peace, for provision. Please pray for these boys as they are confused and scared. Pray for Tyler to feel the Lords arms wrapped around him, as he feels completely out of control and wants nothing more than to bring his wife home. He cannot wrap his head around what the future looks like, or how to even begin moving forward. He needs our love, support and prayers.

Second, we are asking for you to consider any donation you may feel led to give. This family is facing struggles most of us cannot comprehend, and the financial burden will be beyond tremendous. Tyler will be faced with needing to move out of his home to be on a first floor IMMEDIATELY (in the next week or two). There will be the need for caregivers for both Tracy, and the boys, in order for Tyler to be able to go back to work. The list is endless, the need is tremendous. We are so grateful for any help you can offer. Every prayer helps, every donation helps.

Thank you for being part of Tracy’s Tribe. We must rally around this family, and show them that they are NOT alone in this journey. We are a community of people who love them and care.



“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:76

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22