Update: 24-Year-Old Student Who Lost Leg to Flesh-Eating Bacteria in 'High Spirits'
Aimee Copeland is the 24-year-old who lost her left leg after she contracted a rare form of a flesh-eating bacteria. Doctors had previously given the grad student a nearly-fatal prognosis, but now we're learning that she's mouthing the words "I love you" to family members, that her breathing is getting stronger, and that antibiotics are finally starting to kick in against the bacteria.
She reportedly has still not been told about the extent of her injuries, and she's not out of the woods yet, doctors caution. Her right foot and all of her fingers are still at risk. Fox News'
Dr. Manny Alvarez weighed in, saying, "This isn't something that's going to change in the next couple of weeks ... it's going to be a long battle."
A battle that her fellow students are coming together to help her fight, apparently, as hundreds of people where she's working toward a Masters degree in psychology, the University of West Georgia, showed up to donate blood ... something Amy's father, Andy, said will help not only his daughter in her recovery but others who need it badly, as well.
In an interview Wednesday morning, Andy Copeland expressed his amazement and gratitude at his daughter's recovery. "My daughter's alive, and that's why I'm upbeat, because I believe we've had victory over death here, and that's not something that happens every day," he said. "She may not know she lost her leg, but she understands the miracle of her existence right now."
Copeland said that in a lighter moment just yesterday, the family thought Amy was trying to say she wanted some lamb chops, but as it turns out, she wanted her laptop.
Hear more about her recovery below:
