The brother of a woman battling rare bacterial infection found in dog saliva said that he believes her darkest days are behind her.
David Johnson is optimistic his sister Hannah Rinehart is on the road to recovery after some scary moments last week. The triple cancer survivor, whose immune system was weakened, contracted a rare bacterial infection from her dog's saliva. As a result of the infection, doctors amputated Rinehart's feet and hands.
Last Friday night family and friends gathered at Northside Hospital where Hannah is recovering. Doctors told the family to prepare for the worst as Rinehart's heart rate had jumped to dangerous levels.
"She was experiencing heart rates of over 200," said Johnson.
Johnson says doctors have since brought Hannah's heart rate to normal levels. But he says she is still heavily sedated, unaware of the amputations and breathing through a ventilator.
Johnson believes the worst is over for his sister.
"Oh absolutely. I think it has. I absolutely believe that last Friday night was our darkest hour since she had to undergo the amputations," said Johnson.
Helping brighten those dark hours is strong community support. Dozens of teachers at South Gwinnett High School have offered to give their time off to fellow teacher Mark Rinehart, Hannah's husband, so he can take care of her.
The Gwinnett County Board of Education has yet to take any action on the teachers' requests to let them donate their time off to Hannah's husband.
A Friday night football game fundraiser is scheduled. Sales from t-shirt sales and raffle tickets will help offset the mounting medical bills for Hannah Rinehart.
"I'm sure not having hands and feet is going to be a tremendous shock, but knowing my sister, she's going to pay a lot more attention to the community and how much everybody loved her while she was sick," said Johnson.
The fundraiser for Hannah Rinehart begins at 5 p.m. on Friday at South Gwinnett High School.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:45:08 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:32:36 GMT
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife.
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife. Prosecutors say Michael Parson shot his wife, Adina, eight times in April 2012 outside their apartment.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:28:25 GMT
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe.
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe. They say 1-year-old Annya Buchannon was in the back of a car that was stolen just after midnight from the Playskool Daycare on Conley Road in Forest Park.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:24:23 GMT
Atlanta fire crews are battling a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown.
Atlanta fire crews battled a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown on Wednesday morning. Authorities say the fire sparked at United Transmission Service, which is located at 350 Marietta Street NW.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges. Brooks pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:53:01 GMT
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Tuesday morning.
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Wednesday morning. Fire crews say the bus stalled on the railroad tracks in downtown Decatur, and those onboard had just seconds to get out before an oncoming train hit it.
The Gainesville City Council is moving ahead with a study to determine the feasibility of a new convention center and hotel in the northeast Georgia city.
The Gainesville City Council is moving ahead with a study to determine the feasibility of a new convention center and hotel in the northeast Georgia city.
Hannah Rinehart is battling rare bacteria.
