Wounded warrior rebuffs injuries

Published Sept. 30, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Diana M. Cossaboom
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Wounded warriors bear scars which formed them into the combatants they are. Some scars are noticeable, while others hide below the surface in various forms.

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Jen Kyseth, a wounded warrior, has a disability that is not physically visible, but can be crippling both physically and mentally.

"It was a progressive injury; it started bothering her in 2008, back in Germany," said Jen's husband Lt. Col. Todd Kyseth, U.S. Air Forces Central chief of command and control operations. "She went through a lot of treatments there, but they didn't seem to help."

Jen has degenerative disc disease. She had surgery for the disease while on active duty which was unsuccessful and resulted in her procurement of failed back syndrome.

Jen medically retired from the Air Force in 2013 due to her injury.

In July, her pain increased, putting a halt on training for the Warrior Games. After going to the doctor, the computerized tomography scan showed a new bulge on her spine.

"I've been having insane nerve pain right down my quad and all the way down to my toes," said Jen. "My shin is numb, I can kind of feel it, but it's numb."

Because of the nerve pain flaring up, Jen had to go back on medication for the pain, halting her hopes on attempting to have a baby.

"I've been trying to get off all the medication I was on so that we could have a baby, but now that I am on this stuff again it'll have to wait," said Jen.

Even if they fix the bulge a new bulge might grow back. One big way to prevent a bulge from occurring is to keep physically active, said Jen.

Participating in the Warrior Games keeps her active and gives her goals to work towards, said Todd.

Having a month off from training because of her new ailment didn't deter her from her goals.

"Every time I get on my bike to train I'm pushing as hard as I can" said Jen, "wondering if there is someone that is working just a little bit harder than me. I don't want to look back and say I could have trained harder."

During last year's games, Jen medaled in three events: second place in recumbent cycling division, second place in the 100 meter freestyle, and third in the 50 meter freestyle.

"I'm nervous," said Jen. "Last year I had no expectations, but now that I've done it once, I do expect to medal. I want to win something."

This year, Jen is scheduled to participate in the swimming and recumbent cycling events. She is one of 50 athletes selected to represent the Air Force in the Warrior Games.

The six-day long games began September 28 and will continue through October 4. There are seven areas of the competition: archery, cycling, shooting, sitting-volleyball, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair basketball.

The Warrior Games are beneficial for Jen because it gives her an opportunity to talk with people who have similar issues she experiences. There are other events that led up to the games which helped maintain her motivation and continue training. The games foster a great experience for both athlete and family members to be around people that go through the same complications every day, said Todd.

"Jen has gone through a lot," he continued. "She loved the Air Force, and getting that injury and having to leave the Air Force was hard on her, but she's still sticking with it. She's still motivated, and she still wants to help people who have similar issues."