'It was really, really bad': Family of girl bitten by shark shares story, thanks doctors
Share this @internewscast.com

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The family of the 9-year-old girl who survived an alleged shark attack provided an update on their daughter’s healing progress at Tampa General Hospital (TGH).

Leah Lendel and her family shared details about her emotional recovery journey alongside the hospital’s medical team on Thursday. Doctors discussed the efforts they made to save Lendel’s hand.

“Everyone involved in her care did an outstanding job,” said Leah’s mother. “Based on what I saw, I didn’t believe she would keep her hand. It looked incredibly serious.”

Leah was snorkeling in the water off a Boca Grande beach with her family on June 11 when the apparent shark attack happened.

“I didn’t see anything. I was just snorkeling and then I went up to breathe, and then something hard bit me,” Leah said. “And then [it] tried to take me away. I picked up my hand, and it was all in blood, and I started screaming.”

After that, Leah said her father picked her up to bring her for help. Boca Grande fire officials had said Leah was flown to TGH, where she underwent a 6-hour surgery.

According to Dr. Alfred Hess, an orthopedic surgeon at TGH and Florida Orthopaedic Institute, the shark’s teeth were so sharp that they cut cleanly through Leah’s wrist. But this helped the doctors work on putting her hand back together promptly.

“First of all, we are celebrating a great outcome. I’m really happy about that,” Hess said. “I’ve worked here for 35 years doing this kind of work, and it is not always this happy.”

Other doctors recognized for their work to save Leah’s hand were identified as Dr. Joshua Linnell, also of TGH and Florida Orthopaedic Institute; Dr. Akshita Kumar, a pediatric surgeon at Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital; and Dr. Keith Thatch, the medical director of Pediatric Trauma and Surgery at Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Leah said she’s now most excited to play with her siblings once her hand is better. And her family thanked the doctors for giving her the ability to do so.

“I was holding her hand in my hand,” Leah’s father remembered. “And I didn’t think there was any chance at all of saving it. And I’m just so thankful to the surgeons for making such a miracle.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Worldwide Backing as Dalai Lama Celebrates 90th Birthday Amidst Challenges with China

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, marked his 90th…

“Texas Woman Shares Harrowing Tale of Surviving for Days in Tree After Flood Rescue”

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) A Texas woman says she and her family, after…

Expectant Sea Turtle Enjoys a Swim in Jupiter Island Pool

JUPITER ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A large sea turtle got a little…

All 7 Missing Individuals Discovered Deceased at California Fireworks Warehouse After Explosion

ESPARTO, Calif. – Authorities in Northern California have found the bodies of…

“Search for Missing Children and Adults Continues Today in Kerrville: Expect Challenges”

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Kerrville and Kerr County provided another…

Nearly 70 Dead in Central Texas Flash Floods; 11 Campers Still Missing, Authorities Report

KERRVILLE, Texas – The number of deaths resulting from the flash floods…

Mahomet Community Keeps Up with Annual ‘Independence Lane’ Celebration

MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — A group of six neighbors in Mahomet are…

Could You Be Vulnerable to a Social Engineering Attack?

(NEXSTAR) – The Federal Bureau of Investigations issued a warning on Friday…

Local Talent from Liberty County Prepares for NYC Off-Broadway Debut

HINESVILLE, Ga. () — From strolling through the corridors of Bradwell Institute…

Explosive Fireworks and Delicious Baked Potatoes at Kingsport’s Red, White, and Boom Festival

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Kingsport hosted its annual Red, White and Boom…

Dementia Friendly Day to be Held at Decatur’s Scovill Zoo

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Scovill Zoo is inviting people living with…

Ozzy Osbourne bids goodbye to live concerts with a final show for 40,000 fans in his hometown

LONDON – Rock legends and around 40,000 fans came together for a…