Police Officer In Coma Speaks Again www.privateofficer.com
Athens GA. Jan 4 2008
An Athens-Clarke police officer who nearly was stabbed to death last month and spent three weeks in a coma spoke her first words this week, telling her mother she loved her.
"Of course, it was wonderful to hear her and know that she clearly recognized me," Linda Gale said Thursday.
Sgt. Courtney Gale, 31, was off duty, working as a security guard at the Alps Road Kroger the night of Dec. 11 when Steven Anthony Eberhart, a man with a history of mental illness, allegedly attacked her.
Gale's femoral artery was severed, and she would have bled to death if a nurse who was shopping at the supermarket hadn't helped, according to police.
Gale underwent several surgeries and nearly lost a leg. She remains in the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital.
Linda Gale is optimistic about her daughter's recovery.
"Other than saying, 'I love you, Mom,' she's not making a lot of sense, just trying to make a lot of words," Linda Gale said. Doctors are not sure what, if any, lasting mental damage her daughter will have, she added.
"None of us at this point know what the eventual outcome will be," she said.
Last week, doctors inserted a tracheotomy tube to help Gale breathe, and a feeding tube that allows food to be pumped directly into her stomach. The procedures allowed doctors to remove Gale from a ventilator.
This week nurses sat the wounded officer in a chair for the first time and pushed her around before returning her to her bed in ICU.
Doctors have been discussing what's next for Gale, who remains on dialysis to reduce strain on her kidneys.
"It looks like they want to move her to another facility, not an ICU unit, but someplace where she can continue receiving dialysis," said Linda Gale.
Meanwhile, supporters and strangers continue to chip in to help pay Gale's medical expenses.
A fundraiser at the Kroger store where Gale was attacked raised $10,588 through a barbecue and a silent auction. A separate fundraising campaign at all Kroger stores in Athens-Clarke County and Jefferson, which will continue through Jan. 12, is allowing customers to round up grocery totals to the next dollar and donate the difference to Gale.
An ongoing collection at Athens branches of SunTrust bank has topped $40,000.
Court proceedings in the case against Eberhart - who faces aggravated assault on a police officer and other felony charges - were placed on hold when a Clarke County Superior Court judge ordered him to be evaluated and treated at a state mental hospital.
"Of course, it was wonderful to hear her and know that she clearly recognized me," Linda Gale said Thursday.
Sgt. Courtney Gale, 31, was off duty, working as a security guard at the Alps Road Kroger the night of Dec. 11 when Steven Anthony Eberhart, a man with a history of mental illness, allegedly attacked her.
Gale's femoral artery was severed, and she would have bled to death if a nurse who was shopping at the supermarket hadn't helped, according to police.
Gale underwent several surgeries and nearly lost a leg. She remains in the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital.
Linda Gale is optimistic about her daughter's recovery.
"Other than saying, 'I love you, Mom,' she's not making a lot of sense, just trying to make a lot of words," Linda Gale said. Doctors are not sure what, if any, lasting mental damage her daughter will have, she added.
"None of us at this point know what the eventual outcome will be," she said.
Last week, doctors inserted a tracheotomy tube to help Gale breathe, and a feeding tube that allows food to be pumped directly into her stomach. The procedures allowed doctors to remove Gale from a ventilator.
This week nurses sat the wounded officer in a chair for the first time and pushed her around before returning her to her bed in ICU.
Doctors have been discussing what's next for Gale, who remains on dialysis to reduce strain on her kidneys.
"It looks like they want to move her to another facility, not an ICU unit, but someplace where she can continue receiving dialysis," said Linda Gale.
Meanwhile, supporters and strangers continue to chip in to help pay Gale's medical expenses.
A fundraiser at the Kroger store where Gale was attacked raised $10,588 through a barbecue and a silent auction. A separate fundraising campaign at all Kroger stores in Athens-Clarke County and Jefferson, which will continue through Jan. 12, is allowing customers to round up grocery totals to the next dollar and donate the difference to Gale.
An ongoing collection at Athens branches of SunTrust bank has topped $40,000.
Court proceedings in the case against Eberhart - who faces aggravated assault on a police officer and other felony charges - were placed on hold when a Clarke County Superior Court judge ordered him to be evaluated and treated at a state mental hospital.
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