Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart shares miracle update as her leg finally heals
Coogee Beach shark attack survivor Leah Stewart has revealed her leg has finally healed in a major health update.
The Sydney mother, 36, was attacked by a four metre great white shark at Coogee Beach on June 13, where she lost part of her arm and a chunk of flesh from her leg.
Ms Stewart shared the update to social media on Sunday.
‘I have some very exciting news … my leg has finally healed. It has been a journey,’ she said.
‘In June of this year I was attacked by a great white shark that took part of my arm and a huge chunk of my leg … when I got to hospital, part of my quad muscle and my outer hamstring couldn’t be saved and I was left with a huge divot in my leg.’
‘St. Vincent’s are absolute miracle workers, and they managed to close the wound … it covered almost my entire thigh.’
Ms Stewart explained how a device called the Derma Close helped her heal.
‘What it does is it hooks onto the (outer) parts of your skin and then self-winds and gradually pulls your skin in together,’ she said.
Coogee Beach shark attack survivor Leah Stewart has revealed her leg has finally healed in a major health update
‘Because of this, the wound was closed 70 per cent.
‘Absolutely incredible.’
However, she said that the final 30 per cent took longer to recover.
‘I didn’t quite pass two skin grafts,’ she said.
‘It closed it a little bit, but pretty much they failed.
‘Finally, my own body said, “hey, let’s fix this”, and my own skin grew over and now my leg is covered in skin.’
Ms Stewart described the latest development as the best news she could have hoped for.
‘It’s been four and a half months … keep in mind, it looks like a little bite … as you can see I’ve got a big scar there, but the fact of the matter is I can use my leg and I don’t have to wrap it up every time I have a shower or worry about infection,’ she said.
The Sydney mother, 36, was attacked by a four metre great white shark at Coogee Beach on June 13, where she lost part of her arm and a chunk of flesh from her leg
‘I am just so happy. This is the best update for me.’
Many people were delighted to hear the news.
‘This is insane and amazing, so happy your leg healed,’ one wrote.
‘It looks amazing, you’re a real life hero,’ a second wrote.
‘You go girl! What an inspiration you are,’ a third commented.
More to come.
