Home » Archives » "Injured soldier improving"

Injured soldier improving

Oct- 6-2006 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

By Mark J. Armstrong, The Daily Times

A former Hill Country resident injured while serving in Iraq showed signs of improvement this week as family members keep vigil at his bedside at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

Doctors there removed an oral incubator this week from Sgt. Michael Boothby, 26, with 172nd Striker Brigade out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and have reduced the amount of sedative that had kept Boothby unconscious.

Tim Boothby said that his brother has been able to respond to vocal commands, but that those responses are very weak and delayed.

“His wife was leaning over him asking him to smile at her, he managed to curl his upper lip in an effort, in her excitement she leaned down to kiss him and he attempted to pucker his lips to kiss her back,” Tim Boothby said.

Tim Boothby said his brother was injured by an improvised explosive devise that exploded Sept. 16 along a road outside of Baghdad. Michael Boothby and two other soldiers were wounded.

The other two have since returned to duty, but Michael Boothby was struck by shrapnel in the back of the head, sending bone fragments throughout his brain, according to family members.

“The doctors are still saying it is to early to give an accurate prognosis, but say that these are very good signs and that they are looking forward very hopefully, but warn that it will be a very long and bumpy road to recovery,” Tim Boothby said.

Michael Boothby, a Center Point High School graduate, is married and has three children.

“We are all praying for him,” said Center Point High School principal Scott Turner.

Michael Boothby’s wife and parents have been flown to Maryland to be with him. Benefit accounts have been established at Wells Fargo Bank and at Union State Bank to assist the family with the expenses of travel and lost time at work.

“We, as a family, are asking first and foremost for your prayers for a speedy and full recovery and are trusting God will supply all that is needed in the financial aspect of all of this,” said Tim Boothby.


Advertisements