Dec 30, 2007 11:48 am US/Central
E. Coli Victim Awake After 9 Weeks In Coma
(WCCO)
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Until last week, it had been more than two months since Sharon Smith had seen her daughter smile. (File)
CBS
Stephanie Smith's family is calling her recovery a miracle. The 20-year-old Cold Spring woman recently regained consciousness after spending more than nine weeks in a drug-induced coma.Stephanie Smith contracted the E. Coli bacteria after eating Sam's Club hamburger in September. She has been at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester ever since.
Until last week, it had been more than two months since Sharon Smith had seen her daughter smile. But just before the holidays Sharon got a Christmas miracle: Stephanie Smith woke up."The last time I was there, which was a couple days ago, she cried when I left. She's moving her fingers and she winks now," said Sharon Smith.
Every little movement Stephanie Smith makes is a step in the right direction. Especially considering that during the Thanksgiving holiday doctors told Sharon Smith they couldn't do any more for her daughter. Until recently, every time they would try and take her out of her coma Stephanie Smith would have a seizure.
Because she was unconscious for so long, doctors aren't sure if their patient will ever make a full recovery."It's really hard to say because they never had a case like this. They have really high hopes but they have nobody to compare it to. It is my understanding that Stephanie's 9-week, drug-induced coma is the rarest ever," said Sharon Smith.
All the waiting mother can do is continue to pray for her daughter. She has made more than 30 trips from her home in Cold Spring to Rochester, and doctor bills are mounting. But her smile is back and Sharon Smith said that's something to build on."She is strong. She is strong and wonderful and I love her more than I can say."
Stephanie Smith hasn't had a chance to talk yet. That is because of a breathing tube she is relying on. Once that is removed there is a good chance she will be able to speak, but there is no indication yet from doctors on when the breathing tube might be removed.
Before she got sick, Stephanie Smith was a "Just for Kix" dance instructor in the towns of Rockville, Cold Spring, Paynesville, Foley, and Little Falls. Her family says the girls she taught dance too have played a big part in the efforts to raise money for her medical bills.
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