Aimee Copeland, 24-year-old with necrotizing fasciitis, remains in critical condition

Aimee Copeland, 24, remains in critical condition at JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Ga., doctors said Friday.

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(CBS/AP) Doctors say 24-year-old graduate student Aimee Copeland, who is battling a flesh-decaying bacteria she contracted from a zip line accident, remains in critical condition.

Aimee Copeland "very responsive," but to lose hands and other foot to necrotizing fasciitis, says report
Aimee Copeland, 24, battles flesh-eating necrotizing fasciitis following zip-lining accident

Officials said Friday that 24-year-old Aimee Copeland was listed in critical condition at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Ga.

Aimee's father Andy also gave an update on his daughter's condition Friday morning in a blog on the University of West Georgia Psychology department student website:

"Aimee is alert and trying to mouth questions. Her breathing tube has been reoriented to increase her comfort and allow them to try to read her lips," Andy wrote. "She said: 'I can't talk!' We told her it was because of the tube, and we explained the need for it. 'Take it out!' She also asked 'what happened?' and 'where am I?'"

"I thought it would be better when she became alert, but it is actually harder for us," he wrote.

Copeland suffered a cut on her leg after falling from a homemade zip line May 1 as she and her friends kayaked along the Little Tallapoosa River in Carrollton, Ga.

The University of West Georgia graduate psychology student was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, an infection that destroys human tissue. She had most of her right leg amputated last week because of the infection.

Family members said Thursday she will lose her hands and remaining foot to the infection. But her father also said Thursday that his daughter is improving, and that she has been coherent and alert. A blog post on Thursday said her neurologist said there was no indication of brain damage, and the cardiopulmonologist says Copeland's lungs are improving.

[jmw0107]

I have two beautiful daughters, and I'd have to ask myself, in consultation with my wife, if keeping my child alive is what she would want, or in this tragic case, be in her best interests. Who am I placating? Who am I giving hope to? My child? Or me?

Some of the verbal religious diatribe I am hearing from this family is almost as sickening as the horrible accident and disease that is taking this beautiful girl inch by agonizing inch. She faces a lifetime of pain and misery. Why? Because dad couldn't bear let me go to be with God?

My prayers are with Aimee and her family, but they may not be the same prayers her parents are praying. I pray they have the strength to do the right thing.

[afriskyr]

This is so sad. I wouldn't want to have my limbs amputated. What kind of life will she have without hands and feet?

[aigkbrlies]

Enter in Google "cdc silent killed from iraq"
She got this from the Hospital!!

[healthwatcher]

Infections are a terrible issue. I would try high strength ionic silver or an ozone before I cut my hands off. I hope she gets well. This so sad and I pray for the family.

[lauraleigh22]

Everyone keeps saying what a "miracle" it is that she's still alive, like she's lucky! Lets she how lucky she feels on "Aimee Day" (what her father called it) when they take her of the ventilator and tell her she will loose all her limbs and have to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Seriously, I would rather my family remove the ventilator now and let me go. I understand her family wants to keep her alive, but what kind of life will she have. This is worse than the Terry Shaivo case, at least she didn't understand what was happening. This poor girl will know all too well......

[stm128]

I know if I were in her shoes I would feel that my family was doing me a favor if they just let me go if I were to lose the ability to do things for myself.

[snixchance]

I feel exactly the same way. It is a terrible thing that has happened to this young woman and losing both hands and legs I could only thing would be absolutely torturous. If God's will is correct, she will not have to live her life in this manner. I pray that she sees Heaven with all of her limbs attached and she goes flying so high as one of God's Angels.

[2grlsmom]

Hi, I had this disease about 10 years ago that developed from a paper cut on my finger. It's horrible and I'm very lucky to be alive. One thing I've come to understand since contracting NF is that the bacteria Amy was exposed to is something that she (and all of us) are regularly exposed to. Bad bacteria is on everything. In my case, it was strep. Not sure if that's the case for all NF people. Strep entered my body, but mutated to this disease. This is the information I was given from my infectious disease specialist. The mutation was caused because my immune system was off. BTW, I was (I thought) healthy, working out regularly, normal weight, in my early 20s. I feel for Aimee. It sounds like she's surrounded by loving people who will help her.

I've since changed my career to focus on nutrition education, receiving an MS in the area. I don't freak out and try to avoid all bacteria, but I do pump my body full of healthy probiotics. Antibiotics are great, but they wiped out everything when I was on my crazy-heavy doses.

My thoughts are with Aimee and her family.

[marcie10000]

This flesh-eating bacteria is such a mystery. One has to wonder how many universities are studying it.

[aigkbrlies]

I hope that the Family of this young lady is reading these posts.
Type in "cdc silent killer from iraq".
This has killed over 97,000 children "birth to 18 years old"
I have Leishmaniasis from Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran.
The Congressman to contact is Issa, Ca.; Cummings, Md.; Thornsberry, Tx.; kucinich of Oh. was voted out, but Issa, Ca. took his place as head Congressman. Cummings, Md. was point in a Congressional Investigation but DOD and the State Dept. pulled it and now has it.
Only a blessing can help the ones that has this Unforgiving Disease because AIG and KBR "Halliburton" is to big to FAIL.
For me add Gmail
God Bless your Family, God Bless America and make them start telling the Truth

[Halfhelp]

Considering the seriousness of the situation, I must advise the use of the Yeast probiotic. It certainly a matter of Life and Limb!!! God help us...

[chyenna-2009]

knewsterrr;

God didn't put that crap in the water nor did he over use antibiotics on cows blah blah blah. Quit blaming God for the things we do. Now go to church and be saved!

[Bryon_Evans]

This is horrible, well beyond comprehension for anyone but her. The thought of going through anything like that is bad enough but all of the "well wishers" during and especially after saying "what a blessing it is" that she isn't dead would make me snap. If it were me and I heard people saying those things they had better hope and pray that I wasn't able to somehow bash their faces in because I would. No one needs people around them after a trauma saying "It's such a BLESSING that you're not dead". Fking self filled aholes.

[andie52]

I agree and it seems that this began when the wound was stapled makes one wonder if there was an issue with the hospital

[suel41452]

That's your feeling, but maybe she'd like to live??? This life is short as it is. We're all going to die soon enough. Personally, I'd want to live. Society is so technological, you can enjoy a lot of activities without having to move a muscle.