Woman empathizes with Aimee Copeland after her own infection - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Another victim of a rare skin infection shares her experience on Saturday as 24-year-old Aimee Copeland continues to fight her own debilitating case of the flesh-eating infection.

Theresa Chapman does not remember much from her weeks in the hospital. She doe not even remember the 17 surgeries she had as doctors cut, probed and grafted her skin trying to stop the flesh-eating bacteria from spreading.

She is no longer infected, but the widespread wounds on her arm are a difficult reminder. Her right arm is painfully scarred and wounded, but she refuses to let the scars wound her spirit.

For years, Chapman worked as a pathology lab technician at a local medical facility. While she does handle tissue samples on a regular basis, she says her doctor isn't sure exactly how or where she contracted the infection that ravaged her arm.

On January 8th, the Stone Mountain grandmother was rushed to DeKalb Medical Center where she was immediately diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. The following week, she was flown to Doctors Hospital in Augusta, the same hospital where Snellville grad student Aimee Copeland is currently undergoing treatment for her own flesh-eating infection.

Chapman follows Aimee's progress with special interest and empathy.

Her infection left her completely sedated for more than a month. After 17 surgeries and three skin grafts, she was released from the hospital in March. She goes to physical and occupational therapy several times a week, determined to regain the use of her arm.

Chapman is hoping for some good news about her long-term prognosis when she sees her doctor this Friday.

She is also hoping medical institutions will do more to track cases of necrotizing fasciitis especially since Aimee Copeland's debilitating case has put the spotlight on this rare disease.