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It was a day like any other...until it wasn’t.

That day in early November 2020, Wade McDonald “rose with the chickens,” as his mother Mandy would say, most likely had breakfast at his favorite Kingfisher cafe and headed to work.

Not long after, both Mandy and Allen McDonald, Wade’s father who was already at work in Oklahoma City, received a call informing them that their 21-yearold (now 22) son had been in a traumatic accident at work.

Arriving as Kingfisher EMS were preparing to transport Wade to the University of Oklahoma Medical Center trauma emergency room, Mandy was able to ride alongside her son in the ambulance.

On the way, paramedics tended to Wade’s injury as Mandy reassured her son, while combating her own fears.

Wade’s leg had been severed above the knee and he had lost a significant amount of blood.

Fortunately, quick-thinking co-worker Wyatt Krittenbrink removed his belt and applied a tourniquet to Wade’s upper leg, which the McDonalds credit with saving Wade’s life, along with Kingfisher paramedics and medical personnel at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center.

“Wade most likely wouldn’t be here today if Wyatt had not-been thinking so clearly during that emergency,” Allen said.

Although Wade was aware and talking for much of the ambulance ride, Mandy said, when he lost consciousness the paramedics intubated his airway as a precaution. Medical personnel at the trauma ER commended the Kingfisher paramedics for opening his airway and providing the appropriate care during the emergency, Mandy said.

“All that hard work and training really paid off that day,” Allen said.

“Between Wyatt and Kingfisher EMS, we certainly owe them a debt of gratitude.”

With COVID restrictions in place, Allen and Mandy had to wait outside while medical personnel treated Wade, but were both able to see him before he was taken to the trauma operating room.

Not long after arriving at the hospital, Mandy said, their family, friends and Wade’s coworkers began to arrive to support and encourage them.

Once Wade was out of surgery, only one person was allowed to stay in the hospital with him, so the McDonalds decided Mandy would stay and Allen would care for their daughter Cameron, a freshman at Kingfisher High School. Allen would travel back and forth to the hospital during surgeries to be nearby and as needed.

“They prepared us that it could be several surgeries in order to get everything cleaned out of the wound since it was an agricultural accident,” Mandy said. Other concerns were how much damage might have occurred above the tourniquet, if skin grafts would be needed and the possibility that more bone would have to be removed.

Over the next week, Wade would have two more surgeries and receive 14 units of blood during the ordeal, but the injury would require no bone removal and no skin grafts.

“We were so fortunate, because Dr. Ertl at OU Medical Center is known for being one of the best surgeons for amputees,” Mandy said.

“People come from all over the country for his expertise and surgical technique on amputees.”

The technique Dr. William Ertl uses, Allen said, redirects the nerves so that they have another job, which helps reduce phantom leg pain.

Although Allen wasn’t able to be at his son’s side while in the hospital, he was always nearby during every surgery and even able to see him through the glass on one occasion.

As Wade was being moved from the trauma ICU to another room, Allen positioned himself in a building next door and, using binoculars, was able to see Wade through the hospital doors to send a wave of encouragement to his son.

“Besides the accident happening,” Mandy said, “we’re very fortunate.”

“Wade only had to have three surgeries and no skin grafts. He ended up with the best doctor in the country and though only one person could stay because of COVID, I was able to stay with him the whole time he was in the hospital.”

After 10 days, Wade was released from the hospital to recuperate at home and was reunited with his dad.

Although Wade doesn’t remember much about the accident, he said he was glad to be out of the hospital.

“As soon as they told us we could go home, we got out of there,” Wade said.

The traumatic event and being away from his dad during the time Wade was in the hospital was difficult for both of them, Mandy said.

“All he talked about was getting home to see his dad,” she said.

“It was a really good reunion.”

Another positive aspect during the traumatic event was all outpouring of support, Allen said.

There were blood drives to cover the transfusions Wade received, as well as calls, texts, prayers and other acts of kindness from family, friends and people in the community, he said.

“All the support meant so much to us.”

Wade has a lot of friends, more than Mandy realized, and people were always checking on him and wanting to help.

“It is very humbling to know so many people love your child as much as they do,” she said.

While recovering at home for almost two months, Wade said it was difficult not being able to get out and do the things he likes to do and was happy whenhe was able to go back to work.

Always having a positive attitude, Wade never complained through the whole ordeal, Mandy said.

“As soon as the doctor said Wade could do sedentary work, he was gone,” Mandy said.

The people at his workplace were very supportive and helpful in finding a position for Wade to return to work, Allen added.

Back on the job for about two months, Wade is working in a different position, but he hopes to be working outside once he has his new prosthetic leg, he said.

“He just wanted to get back to work, a routine and get back to living his life,” Allen added.

While waiting for his prosthetic leg, Wade returned to work, settled back into much of his routine and was welcomed back by his friends at the local cafes.

“Everyone was so glad to see him back. I don’t think Wade bought his own breakfast or lunch for a long time,” Mandy said.

One of his favorite places is City Cafe and he really enjoys being with the people there, she added.

Although Wade adapted to using a walker to get around, he was excited about the day he would walk on two legs again.

After four months on crutches, using a walker, wheelchair or motorized scooter, Wade took his first steps on two legs again as medical personnel began the fitting process at Scott Sabolich Prosthetics and Research in Oklahoma City.

“It was awesome,” Mandy said. “I was so proud. It was like seeing your baby learning to walk again.”

With several fittings and adjustments behind him, the day finally came on March 23 when Wade was able to come home with his new prosthetic leg.

“It is truly amazing what they can do with prostheses these days,” Allen said.

Wade’s prosthetic leg has a microprocessor in the knee which can be set to a particular mode via a cell phone or other device to determine the motion needed for particular activities and will eventually “learn” Wade’s gait, he said.

“For instance, while hunting in thick grass he will be able to control the level of bend in the knee and trust that he won’t fall,” Allen added.

Wade will probably have two legs, one that is waterproof for the hunting, fishing and outdoor activities he likes to participate in, he said.

Now that Wade has received his temporary prosthetic leg, he will undergo intensive physical therapy and prosthetic gait training.

His prosthesis will have to be adjusted periodically and have parts redeveloped as the muscle changes over the next year or 18 months, Allen said.

With time and training, Wade should be able to do whatever he wants to do in life with no limitations, Allen said.

It has been a difficult ordeal and Wade still has a long road ahead, but the McDonalds are thankful for many things along the way, especially for the abundance of love and support from friends and family.

“Wade has a huge support system all around and we are truly grateful,” Mandy said.