[DiamondSmiles]

Lana Kuykendall, 36, who was admitted to Greenville Memorial Hospital on May 11 with necrotizing fasciitis, a serious "flesh-eating" bacteria infection of the skin and soft tissues, holds her 1-month-old twins, Abigail and Ian, for the first time since she was admitted. Husband Darren, left, and her sister hold the babies for her, (photo below).

A South Carolina mother, suffering from a "flesh-eating" bacterial infection, has been upgraded to fair condition and held her month-old twins for the first time since her treatment began, hospital officials said on Thursday.

Lana Kuykendall, 36, was admitted to Greenville Memorial Hospital on May 11, just days after giving birth. She noticed a painful spot on her leg that ultimately was diagnosed as necrotizing fasciitis, a serious infection of the skin and soft tissues.

She has had almost 20 surgical procedures to contain and treat the infection, and is tentatively scheduled to have skin graft surgery on her legs, said hospital spokeswoman Sandy Dees.

Kuykendall also underwent extensive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but has not had to have any limbs amputated, Dees said.

"She has improved tremendously over the last week," Kuykendall's husband, Darren, said in a statement on Thursday. "Although she is still in ICU, we believe she is on the road to recovery. She looks more and more like herself."

Lana Kuykendall holds one of her babies, (photo below). Lana Kuykendall, who previously had been listed in critical but stable condition, has become more alert and responsive and has communicated by blinking, pointing and mouthing words, family members said.

On Wednesday, she held her twins, Abigail and Ian, for the first time since shortly after they were born.

"Lana grinned from ear to ear when she was holding them," said her brother, Brian Swaffer.

Kuykendall's infection was caused by Group A streptococcus, said Dr. Bill Kelly, epidemiologist for the Greenville Hospital System.

Another woman is being treated for necrotizing fasciitis at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Ga. Student Aimee Copeland, 24, developed the infection after cutting her leg on May 1 in an accident and fell into a river. She has had multiple amputations, including her leg at the hip and her hands.

Doctors blamed her infection on Aeromonos hydrophila bacteria, which are found in fresh or brackish water and may have entered the wound when she fell into the river.

Sad and happy!

[Brometheus]

dammit.. was hoping this was another cannibal/zombie story where she had a disease that makes her eat flesh. /day ruined.

[collaredgirl65]

Good to hear that she is getting better.

[Airbornemama]

AWE......I feel for her and I'm glad she is on the road to recovery!!

[Steve]

I like happy endings, makes a change from all of the fucked in the head parent stories that normally end up in this section, I wish the parents and the kiddies all the best.

[Seven Of Nine]

Kryst. Because bringing one baby into the world isn't frightening enough she was blessed with twins and as if that's not enough to deal with ...All the power to her. I'll send out a good thought.

[banana dick]

poor woman looks so doped up she probably didn't even know what she was holding.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Stevee ↗

I like happy endings, makes a change from all of the fucked in the head parent stories that normally end up in this section, I wish the parents and the kiddies all the best.

Every now and then, one does pop up :) We need to be reminded that there are some real parents out there.

It's sad that this mother is so ill and may not live to see them grow up :(

She may be in severe pain, but, she does appear to be out of it. I don't know how that disease affects one's brain, but, I would hope she remembers she has those two little babies that need her.

[Cancun78]

Looks like the one babe is flipping the bird. Some long fingers on them!

[DiamondSmiles]

This woman is on the, "Today", show today. I'm hoping she is alert and can hold her babies.