Aimee Copeland to leave hospital Monday to start rehab, father says

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(CBS/AP) A Georgia graduate student diagnosed with a rare flesh-eating infection will soon leave the hospital where doctors gave her little chance of surviving, her father said Tuesday.

Doctors plan to discharge 24-year-old West Georgia University graduate student Aimee Copeland on Monday. Instead of going home, she'll move to an inpatient rehabilitation clinic and spend the next several weeks learning to move herself with the aid of a wheelchair.

PICTURES: Ga. student fights to survive flesh-eating bacterial infection

"She's real excited about leaving," Copeland's father, Andy Copeland, told the Associated Press on Tuesday. "She just wants a change of venue."

Copeland was diagnosed with a rare case of necrotizing fasciitis following a May 1 accident in which Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria - found in warm brackish waters - invaded a deep cut she suffered after falling from a broken zip-line along the Tallapoosa River. Typically necrotizing fasciitis is caused by Strep bacteria.

The bacterial infection emits toxins that cut off blood flow to parts of the body. It can destroy muscle, fat and skin tissue. Copeland had to have her left leg, right foot and both hands amputated.

Copeland's speedy recovery has defied doctors' initial prognosis. Her father says they at first gave her just a slim chance of surviving. She spent weeks sedated and breathing on a respirator while undergoing amputations and skin grafts to replace large patches of infected skin. The procedures have caused Copeland a great deal of pain.

On Monday, hospital officials said Copeland's condition was upgraded to from serious to good.

HealthPop reported on Monday that Aimee's parents were able to take her outside the hospital's doors in her wheelchair for the first time in 49 days.

"To say she was elated is a massive understatement," Andy Copeland said. "It was a difficult thing for her to conjure up the energy to actually go outside, but it did her more good than harm."

Copeland's father declined to say where her rehabilitation treatment will take place. First, he said, she will spend about two months learning to move just her amputated limbs - as in shifting from her bed to her wheelchair.

After that, Copeland will move on to another round of therapy in which she'll learn to use prosthetic limbs. Meanwhile, Copeland hopes to use any spare time to work on her master's thesis in psychology. Her father said her goal is to graduate from the University of West Georgia in December.

"She is very ambitious with her plan right now," Andy Copeland said. "She said, 'You know, I want to have that done and I want to be able to walk in December.' She meant walk across the stage in prosthetic limbs and get her master's degree. I don't know when she's going to find time to work on her thesis. But she's going to work it out."

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Ga. student fights to survive flesh-eating bacterial infection

[notofthisearth]

Just when the caterpillar thought it was the end of the world, it became a butterfly...God Bless You Aimee.

[smittyc]

She went back to the hospital four times complaining before she was finally admitted. Criminal negligence on the part of those who examined her is responsible for her current state. All those involved need to be removed from healthcare not just sued. Am glad she is going to make it. God Bless Her.

[akc87031]

varigdc10...what a terrible thing to say!!! She has no arms, one leg and you think she would ever consider zip jumping again?? She had a will to live. Good luck Aimee!!

[akc87031]

varigdc10...what a horrible thing to say! She has no hands to hang on, one leg and you think she would ever consider zip jumping again???!!! I'm sure you didn't think that thought out b4 you wrote it???

[DC_Clark]

Not so horrible... didn't a man just climb Mt Everest with no legs. Its called spirit

[varigdc10]

I really never even thought of being mean or funny, I never thought anyone would interpret my words as you did, I apologize to you or anyone else that feel as you do. I sincerely from my heart meant to simply say for her to stay away from things that would cause her injury, sorry again.

[jackpenn]

Aimee Copeland is an amazingly strong young woman who has fought her way through an extremely tramatic experience, and has overcome death through her will to live. I admire her to the fullest extent, and I believe she will serve as a shining example for other people who are experiencing these types of calamities in their lives. I hope, and pray she remains strong in her determination to survive this horrible decease, and the doctor's who helped her have now learned enough about this decease to be able to contribute to the research of eliminating it from the face of the earth, never to infect another human being.

[gnimelf1968]

The word is disease,not decease, and it would probably be easier to elminate all mosquitoes from the earth than what caused her illness.

[Klondikers]

I have been following Aimee Copeland's progress here on Google News, she is one of the strongest individuals on earth. I am glad to hear she is better. people like her make the world a better place
stay strong Aimee Copland..

[varigdc10]

She's a beautiful and courageous girl. I wish her the best of luck and good fortunes ahead, and please don't go zip jumping anymore !