A Story That Inspired Me

  Below is a story that unexpectedly had the power to move me emotionally. I never expected to have such an impact on another persons life, yet I am honored. Only with permission I share her tale. Here is an unbridged account of this woman's story:

"Hi there...I really should write you and Siobhan a letter...but it's not likely that I will get around to it...so-I'll just tell you. Siobhan was a brand new Army Mom on our website when Derek was injured. At the time, I was home caring for my mother...she had Alzheimer's and was bed bound with a variety of health problems. I was lucky that I was able to take early retirement a couple of years ago to care full-time for her. At the time of Derek's injury---my mom was on the last leg of her earthly journey. I had a two hour routine that I ran through, then I would sleep for an hour and start again. Siobhan's blog and ya'll's daily-sometimes hourly updates-were such an encouragement to me. I would tell "Nana" about Derek...and remind her that he was that red-headed boy (she's a red-head.) She had in her mind that he was a boy from school (also named Derek) who was wounded in Korea with my dad. Funny how with Alzheimer's they can remember the past-but not the current days. Anyway-when she would fuss about her exercises or being turned, I would use Derek as an example..and she would be more cooperative. When Derek was so sick with that weird infection, we would pray the bugs away and she would make unkind remarks about how dirty Korea was and that would trigger a memory of when my Dad was in Korea and Vietnam and she would just tell stories about him till she fell asleep. I learned so much about my dad in the last year. Nana passed away a few weeks ago...and I wonder if not for Derek and his mama and you, I would not have had Derek's story to tell Nana, and she in turn would not have recalled my father's days in Korea and Vietnam. By opening up ya'lls life, you helped make my last year with my mother productive and simply more fun. Thank you!"

Few men dare to be proud of the tears they shed. Today I was among this group of few. Of course they were tears of joy, passion, and understanding. Why? I will forgo divulging names to respect the privacy of my fellow young servicemen. Months ago I had the opportunity to visit a newly injured soldier and his family. It was an eerie reminder of where I was once, barely coherent and struggling for life. Unbelievably so this young man’s injuries were worse than mine, this chilling fact apparent at first glance.

With my game face on I did the best I could to provide a few words of encouragement and convey what brightness the future held. I left the room shaken and concerned for this brave warrior. From my understanding after a long fight he became healthy enough to transfer to another facility to begin the next stage of his therapy. Today I had the honor to see him one again, months later. Before me was a new man and a healthy body.

Feats like this are no short of a miracle. I liken it to an artistic masterpiece. Before him stands a blank canvas. Only his supreme vision could turn nothing into a priceless masterpiece. Before all else was a blank symbol of doubt. I know I could not transform and complete such a vision. That’s what I felt when I saw this man, others, and myself. Simply put we were messes, total disaster of scarred flesh, missing body parts, and alien equipment. Not even a gambling man would say that we’d live.

Yet, here we are. Complete. Healthy and transformed. It was a monumental task that required hundreds of people, millions of dollars, and thousands of resources. Here we stand as God’s greatest masterpiece; human life!

This is why I proudly shed tears.

We had a  great weekend filled with picturesque landscapes and scenery has rejuvenated my spirits. Together Krystina and I decided we both needed a relaxing day and a chance to enjoy the warmth of the Maryland sun. Without any prior knowledge we decided upon the Brookside Gardens, which came up after a quick search.

After we stepped foot into the gardens I felt as though I entered a different reality. I remember looking at Krystina and saying, “I feel like I am in never ever land.” It was beautiful. The various themes of the place left you stunned, it had such diversity and distinct areas such as: Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children's Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Style Garden, Trial Garden, Rain Garden and the Woodland Walk, and the Formal Garden!

Without a doubt the most amazing place in the park is the butterfly garden. Inside a small green house dozens of butterflies flutter through their green oasis. Sadly a pending thunderstorm ended our outing early. There’s always tomorrow!

PT went fantastic today I put in over three hours of solid work over two sessions. Finally I’m getting my energy back. Ever since my injury my stamina has been lacking and I’ve been exceedingly lethargic. Also m desire to return home has distracted my efforts. I’m excited to say I feel like today is the first day of a fresh start.

I believe I can contribute the improvement to several factors: Testosterone replacement therapy. After my injury my testosterone levels plummeted. I only began to treat it with injections last month. The second road blocks were narcotics, opioids by nature are depressors, now that I am scaling back the dosage the benefits are instantly recognized. The third PHYSICAL remedy has not yet been corrected. It been brought to my attention that most likely I have sleep apnea. That’s a problem, that means I am not getting the benefit of my sleep. I am working on booking a sleep study.

I won’t lie a little soul searching was required. Don’t worry I am not going to let anyone down. Not anyone else or myself. I’m ready to kick some ass in the gym.

I would never describe myself as a public  person. However my life changed forever on July 23, 2011. It's hard to sum up the past ten months in a few brief sentences, here's my attempt:

The first thing that comes to my memory was the heat. Summer heat in Afghanistan is no joke, add 100+ pounds of armor, ammunition, and gear its nearly unbearable. Especially when your patrolling in in the grape rows.to my knowledge  the mission was a success to my knowledge. We were RTB (Returning To Base) after securing a LZ (Landing Zone). I never made it back. The first IED (Improvised Explosive Device) I stepped on sent me reeling. I crashed hard onto the ground and my machine gun fell from my arms. Instantly I made sure my legs were still attached to my body. After a deep sigh of relief I stood back up and picked up my weapon. I was asked if I could continue, I'm an Infantryman of course I could.

We took a brief moment to take a picture with the HME jug, it's not everyday you step on an IED and remain unscathed. Before resuming the mission my team leader said to me, "Your one lucky SOB."

I proved him wrong the next step.

Luckily my weapon smashed into my face breaking my jaw, fracturing my skull, and knocking out my teeth. The lucky part of that was the impact knocked me unconscious.

My left leg was instantly blown off, the remainder chopped off the next day due to fungus spores. The right leg mangled beyond recognition, in the end it will be approximately 10-12 inches. My pelvis fractured in two places. Infections consumed my body nearly taking my life. My right arm could have been amputated but the doctors salvaged it. I have little use of it.

No one that was there that day thought I was going to live. Even the doctors told my mother it was 50/50. I was in coma for over a week and had hellish nightmares. Between the injuries and pain meds I believed the nightmare was how I was injured. It took me nearly four months to completely rejoin the real world.

After 40 surgeries, 109 blood products, 2 months in the ICU, 8 months in the hospital, 6 wound vacuums, 1 super pubic, 1 colostomy bag, 1 to many brushes with death (thank you sepsis), around the clock antibiotics, to many to count infections, I AM ALIVE!

The three people I have to thank the most are: God, my Mother, and my Fiancee. I have been given a second chance and that's why I am writing this blog. I don't want anyone's sympathy our to feel sorry for me. However I do want to pay it forward and help anyone I can.

This will sound crazy but this is the best thing that ever happened to me. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON