"I just told her if she keeps improving like this, she'll be out ofhere in no time," said Paige Copeland. It's unclear how much of the ordeal Copeland remembers. She can'ttalk because of the ventilator. But according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , she has mouthed, "What happened?" and "Where am I?" Her familyhas started to give her answers, but has not told her she lost herleg, the AJC reported. The bacteria that triggered the infection, Aeromonas hydrophila , thrives in warm climates and fresh water, such as the river whereCopeland was zip lining with friends.
But experts say the commongerm rarely causes flesh-eating disease. "This was a perfect storm," said ABC News chief health and medicaleditor Dr. Richard Besser. "She had an injury to her leg, she wasexposed to water then had this germ, and she was one of thosepeople where the germ just took off." Although the infection is rare, it's extremely dangerous. Mortalityrates for Aeromonas-related necrotizing fasciitis are upward of 60percent, according to a 2010 report published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews.
After her leg was amputated, Copeland was flown to Joseph M. StillBurn Center in Augusta, Ga., where her recovery has been touch andgo. Tuesday, one week after the accident, her heart stoppedbeating, forcing doctors to resuscitate her. Students and faculty at the University of West Georgia, whereCopeland was completing a masters degree in psychology, gatheredfor a vigil Thursday night. "Despite the fact that medical evidence says she should be dead,she isn't," Chris Aanstoos, a professor of psychology, told WSB-TV.
"I think that's what makes it so precious to so many people tosee how amazing she really is." Copeland remains in critical condition, relying on a ventilator tobreathe. But her family said she's coherent and able to nod andshake her head, a gesture she used to pick the Grateful Dead overthe Rolling Stones Thursday, according to her sister Paige. "I just told her if she keeps improving like this, she'll be out ofhere in no time," said Paige Copeland. I am a professional writer from Sweaters, which contains a great deal of information about voice activated switches , wood bed tray, welcome to visit!
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