Ozzy's Road To Recovery!

Early Friday morning March 31, Derek Oswalt (Ozzy) was in a devasting motorcycle accident causing multiple life-threatening injuries. Derek was then airlifted from Genesis East in Davenport Iowa to The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa where he was placed on a ventilator. Derek's entire left leg from the knee down, was mangled, shredding all tissue, veins and arteries. This resulted in a couple surgeries through the weekend as several doctors and surgeons continue doing everything they can to save his leg as he's still at risk for amputation above the knee. Right now, he has an external frame to bridge the leg. While they wait to see if blood flow will return and tissue to show signs of repair, the incision will remain open but packed. Derek's hip joint and the back of the hip socket are also broken along with his tailbone. This will require more surgeries in the future. He suffered a broken nose and several broken bones in his spine (T5-11, minus T10) but they assured the family his spinal cord was not affected. They discovered massive bruising to the lungs as well as air outside of them which required a chest tube. Recently, we learned that his seven broken ribs will likely result in yet another surgery where a plate will be placed to take the pressure off his collasped left lung. The good news is that he is awake and very much aware and extremely remorseful for the accident that took place.

As a family, we will be by his side through this entire journey but unfortunately, he's going to be in the ICU for a very long time followed by countless months of physical therapy. The doctor's informed us that his road to recovery will take place over the next several months, likely to lead into a year. This means medical and monthly bills are going to add up quickly. At this time, we've created this to help take some of that off his mind so he can focus entirely on healing and coming home to his family.

We would like to thank everyone for their well wishes, continued prayers and words of encouragement as they do not go unnoticed! If you are unable to donate, please share.