The sole survivor of a March 15 attack on five Southern Baptist aid workers in Iraq is recuperating better than doctors had expected and sent a personal message to be read at graveside services for her husband.
Carrie “Niki” McDonnall underwent surgery March 24 in a Dallas-area hospital for nerve and skin grafts on her left hand and will begin physical therapy for the hand next week, said family spokesman Van Payne.
McDonnall lost most of three fingers on that hand during the attack. However her thumb and middle finger are intact, leaving her with a functional hand. McDonnall is right-handed. She also received wounds in the chest, face and all four limbs in the attack that killed her husband, David, and co-workers Karen Watson and Larry and Jean Elliott
Her doctors are “very pleased” with her progress and moved her to a private room that same day, earlier than they had expected, Payne said. The doctors reported that bones shattered by small arms fire in McDonnall’s right arm and leg are aligned and healing. Her facial injuries do not appear to require reconstructive surgery.
McDonnall and her family said they had been deeply moved by the expressions of support and promises of prayer they have received from people all around the world, Payne said.
They also wanted the family of her late husband, David, who died in the attack, “to know their hearts are with them” as they attended a graveside service for him in his hometown of Lamar, Colo., the spokesman said.
“Carrie sent a message to them that included Scripture verses and remembrances of her life with David, to be read at the graveside by her sister,” he said.
McDonnall also has been in telephone contact with the family.
(BP)
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