Monday, May 14, 2012

Flesh Eating Bacteria: It Can Happen to Anyone

Aimee Copeland, a victim of a flesh eating bacteria, her father says a "miracle" is behind the progress his 24-year-old daughter is making in recent days.


His latest update in a blog post on Saturday wrote that, while the flesh eating bacterial infection has forced on several amputations, Aimee's life may just be spared.


Andy Copeland has provided blog updates daily since his daughter contracted the disease after a homemade zip line accident on May 1. The rare infection brought her within inches of losing her life.

Aimee is in critical condition in the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Ga. However, doctors believe they can save the palms of her hands. In doing so, she will have the muscle strength to use prosthetic devices.

"The miracle continues," her dad writes. "The words I hear from the medical professionals to describe Aimee's continued recovery are: astonishing, incredible, confounding, mind boggling and unbelievable. All those are fitting words."


While the flesh-eating bacteria have robbed Aimee Copeland of several limbs, the necrotizing fasciitis left enough of her palms to offer some hope.

One of the challenges her father faces is telling the zip line accident victim the extent of her injuries when she awakens from a semi-conscious state. "She will discover that her hands lack the dexterity and tactile response she has known all her life. How would you respond in such a situation? I think that moment will be one of horror and depression for Aimee," he wrote.

For now, the family waits for the day their daughter can at least breathe without a respirator. As Mr. Copeland said on CNN Sunday, "I have every confidence that Aimee will be able to overcome this."







1 comment:

  1. Your daughter and your entire family are in my thoughts. I will offer a prayer for Amy's recovery. -Pat from the Philippines

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