Aimee Copeland Showing Signs Of Recovery Despite Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Amputated Leg (PHOTOS)

Aimee Copeland is showing signs of recovery despite an amputated leg after coming into contact with a flesh-eating bacteria.

The road ahead will not be easy for Aimee Copeland, the Georgia woman whose freak zip-lining accident led to a flesh-eating bacteria infection that's kept her on life support for days.

She's showing small signs of recovery, but faces even more surgeries due to the necrotizing fasciitis that has already taken her leg.

"Today Aimee is responsive and coherent," Copeland's father, Andy, wrote on his blog on Thursday. "She is responding to specific commands, and even selected the music she wanted to listen to. ... Unfortunately, her blood vessels in her hands and in her remaining foot have died, and thus they will have to be amputated too."

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• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• AimeeCopeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

• Aimee Copeland

  Aimee Copeland was put on life support and had her leg amputated after a freak zip-line accident left her with a cut leg and a flesh-eating bacteria. Her family needs help -- to donate or leave warm wishes for Aimee, visit <a href="http://AimeeCopeland.com" target="_hplink">AimeeCopeland.com</a>.

Copeland, 24, has been in critical condition since Friday, when doctors diagnosed her with the infection. Surgeons amputated her left leg and removed tissue from her abdomen to try to stop the bacteria from spreading.

The infection began after Copeland cut her leg last week while she was zip-lining with her friends during a kayaking trip in Carrollton, Ga.

She is still on life support at an Augusta burn unit.

Though the story is tragic, Copeland's family seemed hopeful when she showed signs of movement despite doctors' warnings on Tuesday that her chances of survival were "slim to none."

"Aimee has had a spectacular day -- she's breathing more on her own and her body is responding positively," Copeland's sister Paige wrote Wednesday on the wall of a Facebook page set up for Aimee. "She even got emotional today, I think she's scared."

A website was set up for those wishing to donate blood or money. Visit AimeeCopeland.com to leave warm wishes, view pictures or help the family.

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Comments

[Lynne01n]

07:50 PM on 06/17/2012

No one knows how they would respond to a situation like this unless they have had it happen to someone close that they were able to see how this ravages the body. Some people would rather die then go on without their limbs and body parts. Other people would fight to the end or until they were back home. It's each person's call. No one is right or wrong. This poor girl has had so much to deal with physically and mentally. I pray God will give her the strength to help her deal with all that happens. I pray for her and her family.

[wa0cal]

09:43 AM on 05/15/2012

It's too bad that this young persons life is ruined

[jandos]

10:00 PM on 05/14/2012

So incredibly sad and scary. Poor girl.

[sitat]

12:19 AM on 05/14/2012

God have mercy on her. Please. Mercy.

[littlebrowngirl]

04:32 PM on 05/13/2012

Very sad set of events. Terrible for anyone to endure.

[Christia Gibbons]

04:10 PM on 05/13/2012

How much is enough to amputate? If the blood vessels in her remaining foot and hands are dying, where does it stop? Next could be both arms and the rest of her remaing leg. It doesn't sound like the bacteria is under control. She has already had a "high hip" amptuation which was after a lower leg amputation. I would hate my parents if they took over and let me be cut peice by piece. They need to let her go. One article said she was agitated, yeah, I guess she'd be agitated. 24 years young and having to live like that is a cruelty beyond cruel. What a horrific tradegy.

[Lise Fernstrom]

06:40 PM on 05/23/2012

I dont agree with your statement.if Aimee has the will and determination to live and make that choice to live then you support her and her decision cuz its hers alone to make.Iv been following this story closely and it brings me to tears .My heart and prayers are with her family and especially Aimee who is fighting for her life.Who are we to dedide ones fate.I work with people with disabilities and theres nothing they cant do or achieve.Bottom line whatever happens it doesnt define her.Lise Vancouver b,c canada.

[Sandra Lindsay]

07:50 AM on 05/14/2012

you are one sick person to say such a stupid thing! shame on you.

[neilscott]

09:38 AM on 05/12/2012

Ok - it's a sad story but sometimes family's medical decisions are even sadder. Make decisions for the patient - not your selfish desire to keep her alive...at any cost. (Draw your own conclusions).

[Vesna Politis]

07:48 PM on 05/12/2012

Exactly. I mean what kind of life is she going to have with no hands no legs, they took a chunk of her abdomen too??!!!?! I know this will sound horrible to some people but if she is lucky God will take her with him before she has to suffer any more.

[rg9rts]

05:51 PM on 05/14/2012

Solution! Have a Living Will. You have an appointed power of attorney of your choice and lay out your wishes. Its not perfect but its better than nothing.

[moondenn]

08:43 AM on 05/12/2012

In wish all the LUCK to Aimee in here recovery from this dreadful disease. My Lorrie B. contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis when she cut open her left knee on the steps. She was taken to Hershey Medical Center,Pa where they then diagnosed her with this disease. It was moving that fast they stablized her there and Medevac her to Lehigh Valley Burn Unit. It was now in her Right arm also. She was induced into a coma , given 1% chance on living. She to almost lost her arm and leg. Lorrie had total skin grafts on her left leg and right arm .She came out of Lehigh Valley Medical Center over 3 months later. Lots of therapy afterwards. Lorrie was very strong and was back to work eventually. Lorrie was was 50 yrs old at the time. Lorrie never left anything get her down. And for you Aimee, be strong. You have a long road of recovery, but you have LOVED ones by your side.You are young and you still have a long life ahead of you. GOD BLESS YOU ! Dennis M.

[lensamy]

08:09 AM on 05/12/2012

Best wishes to you Aimee, wishing you get better soon.

[John Doe the 3rd]

01:27 AM on 05/12/2012

OK, i am never EVER going to go zip-lining.

[Killermolls44]

01:49 AM on 05/12/2012

I've gone with no problems. It's really not that dangerous.

[lensamy]

08:06 AM on 05/12/2012

I go zip-lining all the time, this was a freak accident.

[FMTalks]

12:45 AM on 05/12/2012

Gosh.. how dirty was that water for her to come in contact with that type of bacteria??? Seems like it should be closed to the public.

[GalaxieGal]

06:18 PM on 05/12/2012

I don't remember reading anything about water. I think this bacteria was found in dirt as well.

[velveetaeata]

12:10 AM on 05/12/2012

This is horrible. I hope the best for her and her family.

[jhightiger]

12:06 AM on 05/12/2012

You can't take any type of wound lightly. If not taken care of properly or immediately, it can turn infectious, or in her case, dangerous. Now she has to suffer wit loss of body parts. Will she recover from this mentally? Physical damage has already been done. I wish her the best.

[Mem101]

11:56 PM on 05/11/2012

OMG!! Why are people so freak'n morbid and obviously not optimistic! (GOD forbid) but if I had this happen to me, I would challenge myself to do everything possible to show my children that a fighter wins and nothing can hold me back! I would expect the same from them!! So many people want to take the easy way out.... not me and I hope not this girl! I know someone who lost his leg and part of his arm to a boating accident and is now doing all kinds of marathons! Be a fighter Ms. Aimee!

[sopihory]

02:20 AM on 05/12/2012

you don't know what you would do until your two legs and hand are amputated.

[khanista]

04:38 AM on 05/12/2012

Agreed. I'd rather be euthanized than live with four stumps.

[kainagain]

05:01 AM on 05/12/2012

Why don't you folks do a bit of research before you go off on something you clearly no nothing about?
This disease is not one that can be found in the environment per se, its not lurking in water so much as it is lurking on the skin of most of us; it is Staph bacteria run amok. And by run I mean SPRINT. If you don't intercept its advance within 24 hrs you are basically toast/ There is no being tough and fighting it on an individual level. There is only the race against time and the hope that with the help of radical medical intervention, read amputation, you might just survive. Many do not.

[Mem101]

08:01 PM on 05/14/2012

I read and understood it fully... I know the bacteria well. My comment was not towards her but to the other posts from people who would give up and rather die because they had amputation to deal with or that their life would change and they might be looked at differently. The comment is meant for after she makes it .... by the grace of God and her doctors fighting for her!