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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:44:36 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:35 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:35:19 GMT
State leaders and military dignitaries took part in an annual Memorial Day ceremony at the state Capitol on Thursday.
State leaders and military dignitaries took part in an annual Memorial Day ceremony at the state Capitol on Thursday. Gov. Nathan Deal took part in solemn salute of those who lost their lives while serving our country.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:26:47 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
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Hannah Rinehart is battling rare bacteria.
