Her One-Year-Old Is Still Waiting For Mum To Come Home — Family Shares Emotional Update After Shark At-tack
Family, prayers and a specially curated playlist are helping to keep a Sydney teacher going as she fights for life days after a shark attack on one of the city’s busiest beaches.
Leah Stewart, 34, underwent “highly complex” surgery today in St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, her brother said, just the latest in a string of operations since she was left fighting for life at Coogee Beach on Saturday.
Shark attack victim Leah Stewart has undergone more surgery in St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. Stewart family/GoFundMe
Joshua Stewart shared an update on his sister’s condition today, telling supporters she was still on life support in the intensive care unit following “extensive surgery” this week.
“Thank you so much everyone, as a family we’ve been blown away by the support, care, love and generosity we’ve received for Leah, August and the family,” he said, in an online fundraising page that had raised almost $400,000 by this afternoon.
“Thank you so much to this beautiful community for your generosity in donating to support Leah, in sharing the GoFundMe, your messages of support and those who have dropped in food, nappies, and supplies.
“Thank you all!”
The recent mother was swimming between the flags about 20 to 30 metres from the shore when she was bitten by a large great white shark, leaving her with multiple bites on her arms and legs, cuts and fractures throughout her body and extreme blood loss.
She was facing a long road to recovery and had lost an arm, her family said.
Joshua said their mother, Christine, and Leah’s partner, Fernando, who had been overseas presenting at a conference, had been by her side every day.
But that wasn’t all helping keep the mother going as she battled to get back to caring for her one-year-old.
Stewart is facing a long road to recovery and had lost an arm. Facebook
“Thank you to Leah’s friends who curated a playlist of her favourite songs over the years to play by her bedside,” Joshua said.
“We’re currently printing out photos to put into her hospital room to surround her with positive memories, for when she becomes conscious.”
Joshua said the doctors, nurses, staff and surgeons at St Vincent’s had been “amazing”.
“Leah has been admitted for more highly complex surgery today involving multiple specialist teams from St Vincent’s,” he said.
“Given the extensive open wounds contaminated with sand and debris, the risk of infection is extreme.
“Leah remains in a critical condition on life support and has undergone multiple surgeries in the days after the attack,” her family said on a fundraising page. GoFundMe
“Please pray for her during her continued surgery and for her body to heal without infection.”
The update came as colleagues and students at Hurstville Adventist School, where Leah is deputy principal, prayed for her recovery.
Avondale University today joined the public well-wishes for its alumni.
“This is a devastating time for Leah, her family, and all who know and love them,” the university said.
“We pray for healing, peace, and courage for Leah and her family as they face the uncertainty of the days, weeks and months ahead.
“At this difficult time, we come together as a community, entrusting Leah and her family to God’s loving care.”
