Photo By Staff Sgt. Bruno Bego | Cpl. Cody M. Sackinger, from Waynesfield, Ohio, a combat engineer with 8th Engineer...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Injuries sustained in battle are something many Marines have become accustomed to dealing with. One of the most common injuries is a concussion.
The Navy and Marine Corps team is able to treat concussions and return Marines to the fight quickly, but this should not diminish the severity of the injury. What many don’t realize is the lingering after effects of a concussion can be as debilitating as a missing limb.
Cpl. Cody M. Sackinger, a combat engineer with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, was his convoy’s lead vehicle driver when his front right tire set off a roadside bomb during an operation in Helmand province May 2011.
Sackinger was awarded the Purple Heart during a ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 17.
“I don’t think I will ever forget the first few seconds of the incident,” the Waynesfield, Ohio, native said. “We were going through a wadi when the improvised explosive device went off. I was very confused at the moment, very dizzy and all I could think of was making sure everybody was OK.”
Sackinger and the others in the truck were diagnosed with concussions at the scene and airlifted to Camp Bastion’s medical facility where they received treatment.
“My eyes were dilated, I was woozy and I couldn’t stay focused,” he added. “I was relieved we all could make it out of there so quick.
“You feel so vulnerable when you are in that position and in that type of environment, but I knew the other Marines had my back.” he said.
A few days later, Sackinger was sent to the Concussion Restoration Care Center for rehabilitation. The CRCC is an installation aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, ran by Navy medical personnel, whose sole purpose is to help troops recover quickly from concussions or any other type of combat injury, and return to the fight as soon as possible.
“I am very happy with the way the Marine Corps helped me out after what happened,” he added. “The medical personnel at the CRCC were very knowledgeable and dedicated.
“They provided me with a psychiatrist to help me recover mentally and even tried acupuncture treatment for my headaches,” Sackinger explained.
The medical team was able to get Sackinger back to his unit to complete his tour in Afghanistan. However, Sackinger was diagnosed with a complex concussion, which required follow-on medical treatment upon his return to the states.
“I get a lot of medical help,” Sackinger explained. “On average, I go to at least two appointments each week.”
Although he is not visibly injured, he is currently suffering from short term memory loss, speech problems, hearing loss, balance problems and has trouble concentrating.
“I would say loss of concentration and sleep are the two things challenging me the most,” Sackinger said. “I try to stay as focused as I can when I do things or when I talk to people, but sometimes it can be really difficult and frustrating for me.”
Sackinger said this experience changed the way he looks at life. He said it has helped him appreciate every moment he spends with his family and it makes him work harder to recover.
“I continue to go to the [CRCC on Camp Lejeune] where I do exercises to help me with coordination and balance issues,” he added. “I also go to the neurologist pretty often as well as mental health.”
Sackinger not only relies on the care from doctors to recover, but his wife, Heather, provides the emotional support to help him push through.
“I think the recovery process has been slow but steady,” Heather explained. “We have been supported from the beginning by our families and the [Marine Corps].
“I try to be understanding and patient with his situation,” Heather said. “I listen to him every time he wants to talk, and I wake up and watch TV with him every time he can’t sleep. I am as supportive as I can be.”
She also explained, the hardest part for her is to see her husband suffer from this situation, but she is assured the medical care he is receiving plus the support from family and friends will help him recover.
“I would say that my peace of mind comes from the fact that he is getting all the attention he needs,” Heather expressed with a sense of relief. “They can handle all the medical stuff that I don’t understand, I will take care of the rest.”
Sackinger is still recovering from his life changing experience, but as he explains, the help he continues to receive will enable him live a good life with his family.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2012 15:38 |
| Story ID: | 84449 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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