Earlier this month, we reported that the Hollywood star Ashley Judd had shattered her leg in Africa, and had to undergo 55 hours of agony before she could be given medical treatment. Now, the 52 year-old actress has given her fans an update on her condition, saying that she is “up and around already” after undergoing an 8-hour surgery to repair her bones.
“I want to give my deepest and most vulnerable thanks to Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, for making split second decisions upon my arrival. I arrived to them from DRC in terrible shape and my leg had no pulse. I desperately needed a blood transfusion. Their sisters (nurses) are exemplary, technically top notch, and they cared for the trauma in my body as well as my soul with equal proficiency. Pictured here, once I was stable, is carefree laughter and mirth,” Judd wrote in the caption alongside a Boomerang video of the nursing staff.
“Dr Greef, pictured, was super at stabilizing my leg with the external fixture until the massive soft tissue damage and swelling went down so that I could have the Big Operation,” she added. “What he did was significant and I am forever in his debt. It must be noted I was being cared for during the Covid B.1.351 strain that is plaguing RSA. Sunninghill is world class and a wonder. Thank you to my trauma surgeon, anesthesiologist, head of nursing, hospital management – everyone.”
Judd added that her father came to South Africa to be by her side and then accompany her back to the United States for her surgery.
“My beloved Dad, who had gotten the text no parent ever wants: ’emergency, can’t answer questions, please come now,’ had indeed, because he is vaccinated, been able to come to South Africa,” she said. “He has been my rock, companion, resource, helped me listen to so many doctors, critical support system, and kind, loving presence as I have wept and wept. We then made the 22 hour – 4 flights – to America thanks to unbelievably efficient disaster travel insurance on an Air Ambulance.”
Once she was back in the U.S., Judd was able to undergo the surgery that would ultimately save her leg.
“In an American hospital, I had to continue to wait for the tissue damage and swelling to reduce. Eventually I was qualified to have the 8-hour surgery to repair the bones, decompress the hemorrhaging nerve and pick the shards of bones out of the nerve. I am now recovering from surgery,” she said.
“I’m very thankful to all of the experts, including that expert pictured, my Pop, who is rubbing my foot to remind my foot while it still cannot move that it is connected to my body,” Judd added. “I am up and around already. Thank you for your care and kind words. Let us always remember those without insurance. Let us remember those who do have choices. Let us remember those who are lonely and afraid.”
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