Tuesday afternoon my 24-year old daughter Aimee suffered a laceration to her calf when a zip-line broke near Carrollton, GA. The ER at Tanner Medical treated and released her with 22 staples in her calf. Aimee is a student at West Georgia University, where she is in the process of completing her Master’s Degree. She remained in Carrollton, despite my efforts to get her to return to Snellville where her mother and I could supervise her recovery.
Wednesday, Aimee complained of severe pain (the doctors only advised her to take Motrin and Tylenol) so she went back to the ER to get a prescription for Darvocett. This alleviated her symptoms until she complained of additional pain on Thursday. Aimee went to the doctor and received a prescription for antibiotics and posted a clean MRI report. Again, she was treated and released.
Friday morning Aimee was pale and weak, so a friend carried her to Tanner Medical immediately. Upon arrival, the ER physician diagnosed her with necrotizing fasciitis in her damaged leg. The fasciitis had spread beyond the injured area to her hip and thigh. The surgeons advised me that they wanted to try to save her leg, but at this point saving her life took precedence. They removed all of the infected tissue and advised that she would have limited, if any use of her leg. They also called for a life flight to the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, which has the most advanced infection care unit in the state.
Upon arrival at JMS, Aimee was once again rushed into surgery and the doctors completed a high-hip amputation of her left leg. They were also forced to remove tissue from her abdomen. As if this wasn’t enough, Aimee arrested when they moved her from the operating table, but they were able to successfully resuscitate her. The doctors say that Aimee’s probability of surviving the night is bleak. All we can do and all we have done is pray.
I type this factual progression of Aimee’s condition as a way to better cope with what is without a doubt the most horrific situation that a parent can possibly imagine. We take so much for granted in life, but I never imagined that one of my daughters would face this most unlikely of situations. I hope and pray that when you read this that the news we receive at sunrise will be positive. At this point, no news is good news, but all I know to do is hope and pray for the best. I only ask that you all do the same.
God bless.
Andy
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I am only now beginning to read your blog about Aimee. There is power in prayer!!
there IS a special power – and I hope Aimeee will be ok and you and your wife as well
I too have just started reading your blog today, what an inspiration you all are. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
I am just now starting to read about your journey of despair, devotion and miracles-I am always amazed by His works.
I am sending many thoughts to you and your family. lots of love
I am constantly praying for you daughter and family. Please continue with the updates! Sending thoughts and prayers from Colunbus,GA!
God Bless your daughter and your family.
Although I have been following your story in the news, this is my first visit to your blog. As a mother – and a grandmother – I spend much of my time thinking about and fearing something tragic happening to my children or grandchildren. It’s horrifying to even try to imagine what you are going through. The entire world is watching and praying for your daughter and your whole family. Our lives can take unimaginable turns in an instant. May God give you all the strength to turn this tragedy into something positive. Hugs to you and your family.
May 6th was two months after my first surgery for the same thing Aimee has. I was in Vail CO for my hospital time. I know how insane this bacteria is. I wish Aimee and her family everything in the world. I would love to try and keep in touch with you guys! Aimee’s condition is a lot worse than mine and I send my prayers.
Though not a parent and only a few years older than Aimee, I cannot imagine what your family and Aimee are going through. I see her photos and as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Aimee radiates love, compassion, and hope. God has a plan for this beautiful young woman. Her story has already touched many, including myself, as an inspiration. My prayers are with your family and Aimee’s recovery.
Blessings,
RL
I saw a story about your amazing daughter this morning on the Today Show. As a registered nurse (RN) I administer pain medications frequently for conditions that I imagine are much less painful than Aimee’s. To hear that she is doing this without narcotics is truely amazing and inspiring. She is a beautiful, strong and courgeous young lady. I hope that my now 1 year old daughter will have the same traits as she grows. You did an amazing job raising her.
A co-worker’s daughter contracted this same bacteria in her face a few years back, and is alive and well today. Keep the hope alive. Thoughts and prayers are with Aimee and your family. I will be frequenting this blog to check for updates on her condition. God Bless
Jennifer in AZ
When All Hope Seems Lost; Somehow, Someway, You WILL Take Another Step… Never Give Up. Never Quit. NEVER Stop Believing In Yourself…
I just read your blog for the first time. You have a beautiful family. I can only give from the bottom of my heart my deepest prayers. I am of a different religion than you but I will pray for your daughter to get well.
I’m just reading your blog for the first time today. I’ve read about Aimee’s story online a few times, but took the time tonight to venture to your website and it’s compelled me to read all of it. Please know that there are so many people out here, praying and sending well wishes. Our hearts break for Aimee and you, her parents. We have 3 daughters, the oldest is 22. I can only imagine your pain and I pray from the bottom of my heart that God will help you all through this journey. I know he must have big plans for Aimee. I hope the love of so many people can help carry her through. Keep fighting, we’ll help you keep strong. * Hugs from Big Lake, Minnesota *
I have just started reading your blog today, although I have been following updates in the news about Aimee’s accident. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as she recovers from this tragic period in your lives. It has been said that there is strength in numbers, and I have seen the amount of “likes” on the FB page. It’s a tribute to a family none of us know, but want to share our hopes, thoughts, and prayers with all of you.
God bless!
Tears came to my eyes after just reading the very first blog you posted. I’ve listened to this on the news and it made me cry. I know you’ve heard this many times over this period of time while your lovely daughter has been in the hospital but I too belive that the Power of Prayer is so important. I’d like to suggest that when you get a chance you should read the book “Heaven is for Real” by Colton Burpo. He’s a little boy who went through a horrific time in his life, his Dad is a preacher and even his faith was tested when his son became sick. But it is such an inspiring book and I hope that it will help you cope with what you and your family are going through. I will keep you ALL in my prayers and look forward to seeing you post an AMEN on here when you get to take your beautiful sweet daughter home with you all. God Bless you all and keep you close by Him as he provides for you and your family now and always. Sincerely, Michelle Bell
Hello Mr. Copeland – I know this is a terrible way to contact you but as I was praying about your daughter, your family and the doctors it suddenly became a prioirty for me to contact you.
I am the founder of a Family Friendly and Faith Based Studio here in Hollywood and I would love an opportuinity to speak with you about the possibility of working with you on something that I think would be incredibly beneficial for your daughters future.
I am a former creative development executive at Sony Pictures Television as well as very faithful man and my wife and I are committed to creating “entertainment” that shows the challenging yet wonderful and blessed path of those who struggle through lifes difficulties and challenges. A most important element of the projects that we are becoming involved with is finding ways to put profits to good use wether it be by setting up foundations, creating fundraisers, contributing to ministries or creatively furthering the message of those we work with. Like the recent movie, Soul Surfer about a femeale pro surfer who had her arm bitten off my a shark only to regain her stadnign in the surfiung world and become a wonderful advocate for women and faith, your daughters story as yet finished could be just such a story, and it deserves to be told with honor and respect.
If you would like to discuss this further and at least give me a chance to speak with you I would appreciate it. Our website is under construction but you can reach me via cell, 805-305-1212 or email glia@storehousemediagroup.com.
Even if you are njot interested, I am happy to share some advice on the process and dealings that others may have regarding this.
I appreciate your time, love your blog – thank you som much for your courage in the face of your daughters challeges – and I look forward to the encouraging story of her inspirational recovery and victory over the challenges. I am a father of three boys and I can not imagine the ordeal you and your family face.
My prayers are with you all!
In Him who gives us strength!
Guy Lia
Big hugs to Everyone from Los Alamos, NM. I have been watching HLN this morning, and just saw your interview. My family has gone through some major health issues (my husband has filed for disability due to a genetic reaction to Simvistatin, a generic Lipitor). His entire muscular system is slowly disinigrating. However, I cannot Imagine what your family has gone through, and is still going through. It makes our situation look easy, compared to what Aimee has in her future. It sounds like she is a very strong-willed young woman, who has an AMAZING support system. I truly hope you all will pull through this, and just keep on taking care of your girl. I am 45 years old, and have found myself needing to move back in w/ my parents. Your parents are ALWAYS your parents. STAY STRONG. God will see you through this……….
My uncle was moving a filing cabinet and bruised his pec muscle and was experiencing crucial pain. He went to the doctors office for them to only give him main medication. With in 24 hours from this point he was starting to get black and blue on his chest. A day later he was becoming dilusional and went to the doctors again. They had to ambulance him over to the hospital because he wasn’t able to breath. Once at the hospital they had no clue what to do, nothing appeared to be wrong with him other then his severe pain. With in 5 hours from being admitted to the hospital his was black and blue from his chest to his butt on his left side. All of this tissue was dead. He was also going sceptic meaning all his organs were shutting down. The doctors wanted to take him to surgery and remove all that dead tissue inside. They finished the surgery and said he was looking a lot better . They thought he had some sort of FLESH EATING BACTERIA. They were telling us he was most likely going to need much reconstructive surgery and some amputations. From the time he was out of surgery, less then four hours later he went into cardiac arrest and had past away. We were all at a complete lost of what to do a completely healthy 44 year old had just died from feeling hurt for only three days. We came to find out that it was a staph infection that somehow made it into his blood stream and turned flesh eating. They believed it was harboring in his system and when he bruised his pec muscle they chemicals from the muscle aggrivated it causing this train of advents. We believe he probably picked up the infection from Lake Erie from working on boat engines. I know this doesn’t provide any consolation to what you are going through. I just wanted to let you know my family has some sort of understanding of what is happening. Our sympathys and prayers are with you all.
Hi Beautiful Copeland Family ! Today is July 2 and I am only reading your blog for the first time, although I have followed her story in the press & have been praying for you daily. Even though I know she has survived and “feels blessed” (AMAZING), I am crying as I read these early blog entries. I know how close you came to losing her, and can only imagine the pain in your hearts . I am an RN & worked in Critical Care for >20 yr.s, and no matter how bleak the situation seemed, I always told people “as long as there’s life, there’s hope”. I so truly believe that; I mean look at the odds she survived ! Doctors don’t know what God has in store for a person, and you never gave up hope. Good for you ! You will continue to be in my prayers.