On December 5, 2009 at 12:05 pm, my wife Andrea and I were struck by a west bound vehicle in our east bound lane.  I avoided a direct head-on collision barely, thus taking the damage on the front left corner of the Tundra we were driving.  The other vehicle drove through my floorboard and consequently flipping us into the shoulder.  We landed on the passenger side of the Tundra.  My wife climbed through my window to the quickly arriving EMTs.

15 minutes or so later I was removed from the truck.  Both of my feet were stuck under the dashboard.  I suffered catastrophic damage to my lower left leg.  The tibia and fibula were shattered by the calcaneus (or heel bone) being driven through each bone a few inches by the impact of the crash.  I suffered an L2 fracture as well.  I was airlifted to HCMC.  I spent the following 12 days recovering at HCMC.  I was released on December 16 with an external fixator and a back brace.

On December 22 we had a consultation regarding the damages.  I was told by one of my doctors that I three options.  The first option was to attempt to surgically repair the damaged area.  It would probably constitute a few surgeries with each offering a possibility of infection.  My second option was to fuse the ankle and bones above it.  My third option was to do nothing and let it heal as it was.  All three options guaranteed two things; I would never run again and I would have an arthritic ankle within years.

I knew that those three options were not acceptable.  I’m Andrea’s husband.  I’m my kids’ dad.  I’m a coach.

I prayed thanksgiving to my Lord; I am alive.  I knew there was something better.  It came to me.  Cut it off.  I called HCMC.  I told them I wanted to discuss amputation.  After the discussion on the phone with the nurse at HCMC, I prayed for clarity.  I asked for prayers from my pastor and parish nurse along with my family.  Clarity was received two days later!

I was admitted Christmas’ Eve around 11:45 pm.  I had a MRSA infection in the heel.  I spent the next couple of days at HCMC.  I was released on December 26.  My decision was simple now.

On January 4, 2010 around 5 pm I became an amputee.  Starting on January 5, 2010 my new life has begun.  It is filled with optimism.  It is filled with encouragement.  It is filled with love.  It has not changed who I am.  I’m Andrea’s husband.  I’m my kids’ dad.  I’m a coach.  Now I have one really cool looking leg.

July 4, 2010 was six months from the amputation date.  I am walking with no real problems.  I have started to run, although my foot is not designed for running.  I am waiting for the ok from my insurance to get my new, higher activity foot.  I look forward to playing basketball soon.  I look forward to coaching my varsity basketball team this November.  I look forward to sharing my experience with people, fellow amputees, soon-to-be amputees, anyone with a “disability” and everyone.  I look forward to life.

Swimming in Circles,
Judd Yaeger

P.S.  If you don’t understand “Swimming in Circles”? Ask my kids how Dad swims now.

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