BOSTON, MASSACHUSSETTS—A week after a Boston Marathon bomb put Heather Abbott in a local hospital, the woman from Rhode Island had to decide whether to keep herself permanently wounded or to have her leg amputated below the knee.
Abott chose the second option, as she is very active and wanted to “try yoga paddle boarding this summer.”
The woman has high hopes for recovery.” I really think I’m going to be able to live my life in a normal way, eventually, when I get that permanent prosthesis.” Abott was very clear on the challenges of rehab and the pain that she might face along the way. She stated that her focus has been on the healing process and not on the capture of the suspects.
“I haven’t thought much about them at all.” Abott admitted, “I don’t even know how to pronounce their names.”
The two bombs that went off on Monday injured 264 people, according to the Boston Public Health Commission, and led more than a dozen to endure amputations.
Doctor’s always leave the amputation decision up to the patients, but they explain that there are potential limitations which will mean that the limb will never heal on it’s own.
By: Julia Roake
Source: Wall Street Journal
Image: Wall Street Journal
26 April 2013
08:15am PDT