Leah Stawart: Coogee shark attack survivor shares sad recovery update that has left her ‘devastated’
Leah Stewart’s recovery journey has hit a roadblock after she was brutally mauled by the apex predator while she was swimming less than 30 metres from shore.
Coogee shark attack victim Leah Stewart has provided a sad update as she recovers from the injuries she suffered after escaping the jaws of a great white.
The 35-year-old was brutally mauled by the apex predator while she was swimming less than 30 metres from shore at the popular Sydney beach on June 13.
The horrifying attack left the mother with “severe and life-threatening injuries” that required 11 surgeries, including the amputation of her arm.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.She also spent 11 days in a coma, and suffered multiple bite wounds on her arms and legs, significant blood loss, and fractures throughout her body.
In an Instagram update on Tuesday, Ms Stewart told her followers the skin graft on her wounded leg had failed, conceding the news was not the “Not the update I was hoping for”.
“Unfortunately this is not the post I was wanting to do but I had my graft checked yesterday and it was confirmed that it failed,” she said.
“So, yeah, I am feeling pretty devastated, had quite a few tears and now we’re not really sure where to go from here.”
In light of the unfortunate update, Ms Stewart said she was grateful for being less reliant on the portable wound therapy machine she had been carry around with her daily as her leg heals.
“It’s been three and a half months and my leg is still open,” she continued.
“I guess like the only good thing is we’re trying something different, so I’m having a little break from the vac machine, which means I can move a little bit more freely.”
For the first time, Ms Stweart showed her legs to the camera to reveal the raw areas where doctors removed healthy skin in an attempt to transplant it onto the wound on her left leg.
“I haven’t shown my legs yet so I am a little nervous,” she said, before pointing to the skin grafts.
“So, here is actually where they took the skin from my right leg, and it’s still pretty raw, but thankfully it’s healing, and they put it on my left leg.
The wider community has continued to rally around Ms Stewart and commended her positive outlook on life despite her horrifying brush with death.
“You are amazing and so positive despite what you’ve been through. Keep smiling Leah,” one person wrote in the comments.
Another added: “Oh Leah, hang in there gorgeous ❤️❤️. You have already shown yourself how amazingly strong you are so a set back but your resilience is a shining light and something will work with the medical team you have.”
