Addison Bethea scheduled for amputation surgery Tuesday, July 5
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 3, 2022) – Addison Bethea, 17, of Perry, Florida, is continuing to recover at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) following a shark attack on Thursday, June 30 and is scheduled for her third surgery on Tuesday, July 5.
Addison, daughter of Shane Bethea and Michelle Murphy, was scalloping when she was attacked off the coast of Keaton Beach by a shark. She suffered devastating injury to her upper right leg, including the loss of her quadriceps, the four muscles in the front of the thigh that work together to keep the kneecap stable and allow for lower leg extension. The bite also caused massive nerve and vascular damage.
The injuries to Addison’s leg are so extensive that they will require amputation just above the right knee, which will take place during surgery on Tuesday.
“This is the best-case scenario for Addison, and the best option to get her back to the most normal life possible,” Addison’s mother, Michelle, of Satellite Beach, Florida, said.
Since Addison’s arrival, the surgery team at TMH has successfully optimized her long-term function and mobility by preserving as much of her leg as possible. During her first surgery, surgeons skillfully restored blood flow to Addison’s lower leg by rebuilding the blood vessels. This procedure preserved the tissue in her lower leg, keeping it alive and making it possible to use this tissue in reconstruction on Tuesday.
Surgeons will amputate the leg just above the knee and take muscular tissue and skin from the lower leg to wrap around Addison’s femur, reconstructing the upper leg. This will give Addison the ability to use a prosthesis for her lower leg.
Addison has a long road to recovery that will require extensive rehabilitation, but her family says she is staying upbeat and strong. She says she will be back in the ocean once she heals.
Addison is a cheerleader and tennis player and is in excellent physical condition. Her doctors say her vital signs continue to remain strong, and she is expected to do well in her surgery and recovery.
“Addison got a little emotional today when we told her about the amputation,” her mother, Michelle said, “but she has accepted it, and she knows this is her best path forward. She’s embracing it and trying to keep a positive outlook.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help Addison and her family. It is titled, “Medical Expenses for Addison Bethea, Shark Attack.” Addison’s family would like to thank their community in Taylor County and everyone who has reached out offering their prayers and support during this difficult time. The family requests all media inquiries be made through the Marketing and Communications Department of TMH.
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About Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Founded in 1948, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is a private, not-for-profit community healthcare system committed to transforming care, advancing health, and improving lives with an ultimate vision to elevate the standards of healthcare practice, quality and innovation in the region. Serving a 21-county area in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama, TMH is comprised of a 772-bed acute care hospital, a surgery and adult ICU center, a psychiatric hospital, multiple specialty care centers, three residency programs, 38 affiliated physician practices and partnerships with Alliant Management Services, Apalachee Center, Calhoun Liberty Hospital, Capital Health Plan, Doctors’ Memorial Hospital, Florida State University College of Medicine, Radiology Associates, University of Florida Health, Weems Memorial Hospital and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit TMH.ORG.
