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