The Battle that Ended in Victory for One Exceptional Officer

Rambam Medical Center
Public Affairs and Spokesman
www.rambam.org.iwww.rambam.org.il

22 June 2009

During the Second Lebanon War, Lieutenant Asael Lubotzky (now aged 26) from
the esteemed Golani Infantry Brigade, was admitted to Rambam Medical Center
after being seriously wounded from a direct anti-tank missile hit, in
Lebanon at the place that became known as the Battle of Bint Jbeil. From the
moment he began to receive treatment in the field and up until his arrival
to the hospital, none of the treating doctors imagined that his right leg
could be salvaged, but Dr. Alexander Lerner operating on him at Rambam
thought differently. Last Sunday, June 7, Asael Lubotzky stood under the
chuppah and performed the breaking of the glass ritual with his right leg.

In July, 2006, Lt. Lubotzky arrived to Rambam, suffering from severe burns
and injuries to both his legs. In those same dramatic moments, Lubotzky met
the man who would change his life forever. Upon his arrival to the hospital,
he was immediately wheeled into the operating room; there he was treated
initially by Professor Michael Soudry, the Director of the Orthopedic
Division at Rambam, and Dr. Alexander Lerner, Senior Orthopedic Surgeon in
the Department Orthopedic Surgery A. His first encounter with Dr. Lerner,
Lt. Lubotzky does not recall, "I was unconscious at the time. Only after the
surgery did I discover how pessimistic the field doctors were about the
extent of my injuries prior to my arrival to the hospital; they contemplated
where the best amputation spot would be."

The main goal of the operation at Rambam was to try to save his legs,
against all odds. After a long rehabilitation, Lubotzky underwent more than
20 orthopedic and cosmetic operations attended by Dr. Lerner. "Dr. Lerner
stayed optimistic about the injuries to my legs from the very beginning,"
Lt. Lubotzky said in admiration, "He was so hopeful that he could save my
leg and that one day, he could be there to witness the breaking of the glass
on my wedding." These words are what kept Lt. Lubotzky going, throughout the
long and often painful rehabilitation period.

On retrospect, Lt. Lubotzky's injuries lead him to notable accomplishments.
Less than a year ago, his story was published in the book "From the
Wilderness and Lebanon," by Yedioth Books that recounts his personal
experiences from the Second Lebanon War. Within a very short time, almost
from the moment it was printed, it entered the best seller list in Israel.
About two years ago, Lubotzky was accepted to the Hadassah Medical School in
Jerusalem, Israel. "A great part of this decision, to become a doctor, was
inspired by the exemplary model set by Dr. Lerner," recalls Lubotzky.

About a year and a half ago, Lt. Lubotzky met his future wife, Avital Shimal
(now 23) whom he wed just last week. "About two months ago, Asael called me
up, and told me that he'd held up to his part of the bargain and that it was
now my turn to hold up to mine," remembers Dr. Lerner. "With great
excitement and emotion I stood at his wedding, watching him stand on his own
two legs, under the chuppah, breaking the glass on his very first try,
dancing with his family and friends, and even with me; the joy was great,"
tells Lerner. "Among the guests were former patients also admitted to Rambam
during the Second Lebanon War, and I was happy to meet with them and see the
progress of their recovery," he recalls.

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