A Sydney woman who has been in a critical condition in hospital for 12 days after being mauled by a shark has woken from an induced coma and reunited with her young daughter.
Leah Stewart has undergone a series of surgeries to amputate her arm and address other “life-threatening” injuries since the attack at Coogee Beach on June 13.
Earlier this week she was briefly taken out of a coma and told her mother and partner Fernando she loved them.
In an update on Thursday, the 34-year-old’s brother, Joshua Stewart, said she was awake, no longer in a critical condition and speaking with loved ones and her medical team.
“It’s amazing to hear from her so much sooner than anyone expected,” he said in a statement.
“Both Leah and August were overjoyed last night to see each other for the first time since the attack (these last weeks were the first time they had ever been apart overnight).“
The statement said Ms Stewart was grateful to the medical team treating her and the public for their messages of support.
“In time Leah will want to share more of her story, she remembers the whole event in detail, but for now is focused on resting and healing as her doctors support her in pain management, tests, regaining some movement and preparing her for further surgeries tomorrow,” Mr Stewart said.
“Leah still has a long way to go, with an extensive recovery and rehabilitation process that will have her in and out of surgery through the coming weeks.
“Leah has shown she is so strong, fighting to come back to her daughter August.”
Mr Stewart said his sister did not yet have use of her hand because a severed tendon and nerve damage in her arm would require further treatment and intensive rehabilitation.
