Stryker Brigade News

Enid was understandably shaken and upset. She said when she talked to Javier, she was strong for him, but after the phone call, she was crying hysterically. By 3 a.m., her house was packed with friends there to support her.

Doctors performed surgery on Javier’s left hand while still in Iraq. He was flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, the same night, where he endured another surgery.

From Landstuhl, he went to Walter Reed Medical Center for just one night, then on to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and eventually arrived at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis, Wash., on Sept. 27.

“Fort Lewis Air Evac was great,” he said. “I went straight to the doctor for X-rays and ortho. They checked out my wound and immediately put on a different cast.”

Another surgery was scheduled for October.

This surgery would be much more intense. A nerve graft was to be done, taking a nerve from his leg and placing it into his left hand.

While most everything at Fort Lewis and Madigan was a positive experience, Javier was initially in shock when he was released to the barracks without even one night in the hospital for observation after his long journey.

“After everything that I had been through, I expected a higher standard for wounded Soldiers,” he explained. “I have never been in combat before. Being in the barracks was depressing.”

After an emotional phone call with his wife, Enid immediately called their Family Readiness Group leader.

“Mary Cheney helped 110 percent,” she said. “She fought to make things better for him and me.”

Javier said they have a lot to thank their FRG leader for. He also said Fort Lewis was taking steps to make the barracks better.

There was confusion with travel orders to get Enid to Madigan. Because Javier had been stabilized, somehow his wife’s orders had been closed.

Since Enid had received the initial call back in September, she was packed and ready to go meet her husband wherever he was.

But two weeks went by, and Enid was still waiting. As a back-up plan, Mary Cheney had helped facilitate Army Emergency Relief support. Enid had completed the paperwork for an AER grant since her travel orders had been stopped.

“As soon as our FRG Leader knew that my orders were cancelled, she started making calls. Mary assured me that I would get to Fort Lewis,” Enid said.

And she was right. Enid received a phone call from Fort Lewis informing her of her flight information for the next day. Within minutes, the phone rang again but this time was told she was going to fly that day.

On Sept. 30, Enid and her daughter Krystal, 11, left Fort Wainwright to reunite with Javier at Madigan.

Javier needed help. Since he was released to the barracks, he had no help doing basic tasks like tying his shoe.

With limited mobility in his left arm and hand and still on pain medications, Enid would not only become his support, but his nurse and therapist as well.

The doctors and therapists encouraged Enid to learn how to care for Javier’s wound and to help with his therapy.

Once Enid and her daughter arrived at Fort Lewis, the family moved into the Fisher House. This was a welcome change for Javier not only to be with his family but to be cared for in a house with so much support and love.

Family from Puerto Rico came to Fort Lewis to support Javier during the time of this surgery.

“My sister says that I have two birthdays,” he said. “Sept. 19 was the day that God gave us a second chance.”

While the family was at the Fisher House, FRG Leaders from Fort Lewis brought food regularly and provided encouragement. They even helped the family celebrate Krystal’s 11th birthday by singing to her.

The Rosario Rivera family was amazed by the support from the community for the injured Soldiers.

While sitting at Madigan for pre-operative procedures, a woman sat next to Javier and talked to him. She was a nurse who worked in the operating room.

Enid said this nurse was an angel. During the surgery, she would keep Enid informed on everything happening. This nurse even came in on her day off to check on Javier after his surgery.

The Oct. 6 surgery repaired two tendons in his thumb and index finger and Javier now has a plate in his wrist with six screws.

While he now sends lights flashing at security in the airports, Javier said airport personnel were helpful and he didn’t have problems when he was coming back to Fort Wainwright.

“The FRG has been awesome,” Enid said. “Before I left they brought dinners and when we got back too. They are great.

“I have never seen an FRG like this unit,” she said. “They are hard, hard workers. They make everything possible. Mary Cheney, Gaby Davila, Capt. (Timothy) Sawyer, everybody was great.”

Javier said Davila e-mailed and called regularly, asking and kidding about when he was going to start doing physical training.

The family has been back at Fort Wainwright since Nov. 16, and Javier reported to work with the Rear Detachment Nov. 21. He is now the Rear Detachment NCO for Company A, 2-1st.

Javier has occupational therapy three times a week off-post and mental health counseling every other week. Another surgery to remove scar tissue is probable.

It is bittersweet for Javier to be home. His recovery has been slow and there is no guarantee on how much mobility he will regain in his left hand. But doctors and therapists are hopeful.

“I wish I was with my guys,” he said. “But it is nice being home with family. It’s hard because I don’t know if anything is going to happen again over there.

“But for now, the priority is my family and my recovery.”

Enid and Javier’s advice to other families in a similar situation is to keep the faith.

“Trust your FRG and keep good communication with them at all times.”