A 2011 Chestatee High School graduate severely injured Friday by a blast from a roadside bomb in Afghanistan is now receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

Marine Pfc. Sean Adams arrived Tuesday at the hospital and his family arrived today, said his brother, Josh Adams.

"We're sitting in a hotel room waiting for (doctors) to say we can see him, because he's still in surgery," he said.

Initially, the family had heard he might not return to the U.S. until next week.

"I guess it was just at a point where (the military) figured he needed to be home, and he was in a situation where he was able to fly and be sent over here," Adams said.

Sean Adams suffered many injuries in the blast, including a shrapnel injury to his left eye and bruised lungs. Doctors amputated his right leg above his knee and his left leg past his knee, as well as the pinky finger on his right hand and the thumb on his left hand.

"He's heavily sedated," Adams said of his younger brother's status.

Meanwhile, friends and others in the community are still trying to digest the news.

"There's just nothing that makes sense about a 19-year-old having a Purple Heart," said Bernadette Jimerson, whose son wrestled with Adams at Chestatee High.