A University of West Georgia graduate student who lost one limb and will probably lose parts of others to flesh-eating bacteria is mouthing words to her family and showing a "fighting spirit," her father said Friday.
Aimee Copeland is fighting for her life at an Augusta hospital after her left leg and part of her abdomen were removed last week. She contracted the infection after injuring her calf in a zip line accident 10 days ago.
"I would say that she has more commands than questions right now," Andy Copeland told "CNN Newsroom," saying his daughter’s breathing tube was repositioned so her parents could read her lips. "'I can’t talk,' was what she said. And we said, 'We know, honey, you've got a tube down your throat.'
"She said, 'Then take it out.' So her fighting spirit is obviously shining through right now.'
Aimee, 24, contracted the bacteria – Aeromonas hydrophila – during an outing with friends near the Little Tallapoosa River, about 50 miles west of Atlanta, on May 1, her family has said. She fell when a homemade zip line she was using snapped, and she gashed her left calf.
The family has said she sought medical treatment for the wound and received 22 staples to close it, according to CNN affiliate WSB. But on May 4, after she complained of pain for days, a friend took her to an emergency room, and she was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and flown to Augusta for surgery. She went into cardiac arrest after being removed from the operating table, but was resuscitated, CNN affiliate WGCL reported.
Her father wrote in an Internet post Thursday that her hands and remaining foot also will have to be amputated soon, because blood vessels there have died as the disease has spread. He said Friday that Aimee doesn’t yet know about these next amputations.
"There’s no way I would reveal that to her in her current state. I believe that it would just traumatize her further," he said, adding that a psychiatrist at the hospital will tell her when she's able to talk.
Andy Copeland wrote Thursday that Aimee shows no sign of brain damage and that a doctor said her lungs are healing. On Friday, he told CNN the road ahead for Aimee will be difficult.
"It's obvious (that) if you’re missing one limb, it's going to be hard enough. But if you're missing all of your limbs, it’s going to be incredibly difficult," he said. "But I guess I want everybody to know is that she’s not alone. She’s got her family to support her in this, and not just us."
Thousands of people have connected with a Facebook page that the family also is using to update her progress.
"She's got the support of the entire world right now. And that's really what's humbled us greatly in this entire process, just knowing that everybody's looking at Aimee and praying for Aimee and just offering their undying support. For that, we'll be eternally grateful."
Aimee Copeland, of Snellville, Georgia, is a graduate psychology student at the University of West Georgia and was scheduled to complete her master's degree in the fall, school spokeswoman Yolanda Rodriguez said.
On Thursday night, a couple dozen students and faculty members attended a vigil for her in a building that houses the school’s psychology department.
"Despite the fact that medical evidence says she should be dead, she isn't. I think that’s what makes it so precious to so many people, to see how amazing she really is," Chris Aanstoos, a University of West Georgia professor, told WSB on Thursday.
Dr. Buddy Creech, an assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University, said that Aeromonas hydrophila, found in water and elsewhere in the environment, is one of many bacteria that can cause a flesh-eating process.
"When it gets into those deeper tissues, it has a remarkable ability to destroy the tissues that surround it in sort of this hunt for nutrition," Creech said Friday. "When it does that, those tissues die, and you see the inflammation and the swelling and the destruction that can be very difficult to control."
Creech said Aeromonas hydrophila more commonly affects humans when it is swallowed – resulting in diarrhea. When young children or children with immune problems drink water with the bacteria, "they can get a very significant diarrhea illness from it," he said.
"It’s much more uncommon that we see it in (a case like Copeland's), where we see wounds get infected and the infection runs wild,” Creech said.
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A friends father had this same bacteria, he was placed in an oxygen chamber and the team of doctors was able to get ahead of the bacteria – why isn't this information being shared? Check UW Hospitals Madison – then Milwaukee
medicine will keep this women alive when it is obvious she will die, thankfully. rip. you will be in a better place soon.
And CNN will say to FAT WHITE LADIES IN AMERICA with Fles-eating bacteria...... "Die... Die....Die you fat pigs. Squeal like pig. Let those bugs bites your fat oil. We are sick of fat people apply welfare check. Just Die... DIE!!!"
CNN will write nice things to skinny and pretty white woman. "Fighting spirit", "Courageous", " Strong"
Hang in there Aimee, you have so much to live for.
there are a lot of folks on here who should regret the crap that they are posting on here. So glib and caustic. what goes around comes around. be careful with your callous comments.
Somebody might follow you home for posting nasty stuff. Good idea to hush now.
Her father started it! After the loss of her leg, her father said that they're considering changing her name from Aimee to Ilene.
CNN hates FAT WHITE WOMAN.
Just because your wife is fat and not popular doesn't mean that cnn hate fat women
I wonder if they tried to cure it with the poison from a a poisonous snake
Can we get a moderator to ban "Jim?" Thanks. Report him until he goes away.
Please find it in your hearts to donate to this cause. This young woman will have a very long and difficult recovery. God Bless.
I don't think you can say that God blessed her.
Errr, I don't think you can say that God blessed her.
This is absolutely horrific. She got a relatively minor wound and a few days later loses all her limbs and is barely clinging to life. She's 24 years old and hardly had the chance to live.
Can't imagine anyone having to go through this. My prayers go out to her and her family. To remove her body piece by piece is so hard to even think about. As a parent, I truly don't know when I would say "Stop".
Just goes to show you that the old saying is true. "One day you're here the next day you're gone." Live life to the fullest so when your time comes you have no regrets. Also, If I was in her situation I would just tell the doctors to let me die. Sad but I don't want to live the rest of my life disfigured and having to rely on other people just to do basic things like take a shower or go shopping, etc...
I agree with you Ross...having no hands, no feet, no limbs whatsoever makes it beyond difficult. Who is going to take care of her once her immediate family, like her parents, pass away?
Only a ouple things in this world that scares me to the core. this bacteria is one of them. the other distant second is under water cave diving.
My heart is broken for her. 24 years old...her whole life ahead of her, career, marriage, kids, independence. All gone in a flash of an eye. This is probably more difficult psychologically than physically at this point. So so sad...
If any sort of fund is set-up to help this young woman, could someone post the information.
The United Community Bank in Carrollton, GA has a fund set up for her. You can call (770) 838-9608 about how to donate to "Aimee's Fund." This was in the local papers.
I also think there is more information on a facebook page set up by the family/friends. I know they are looking for blood donations as well.