Hypothermia Victim Alyssa Jo Lommel Recovering: 'I Can Do Anything if I Put My Mind to It'
Hypothermia victim Alyssa Jo Lommel is making a remarkable recovery after being left for dead in below-freezing temperatures in Minnesota. Even though Lommel lost her fingers and toes, she is fully determined to have as normal a life as possible.
"There were a few days that were incredibly hard to deal with and there have been a lot of tears, but at the same time the support that I've gotten is unbelievable," Lommel told KARE 11 News. "Every little 'we're thinking of you' counts. I wouldn't have been able to get through this without the support I've received from friends, family and even strangers."
Lommel was found early in the morning of Dec. 7. Her hands were swollen to three times the normal size and skin was split. Lommel was taken to a hospital and remained in a coma for three weeks. Doctors had to actually cut her body open in order to start blood circulating after spending so much time in below-freezing temperatures.
"I honestly don't remember anything from that day," she said. "I don't remember going to class, going to work or anything. The whole day was kind of wiped out. To be honest, I don't want to remember. I just want to move forward. People can say that I was underage drinking in college and that's what caused it, but in reality, had it been a sunny day, I would've woken up and been like, 'Oh my gosh, what am I doing here?' I just want people to be aware that this happens to people all the time, unfortunately. Be aware of the cold."
"Alyssa has an inner strength," Mikki Rothbauer, a social worker who has helped Lommel, noted. "She handled everything the same: She is overwhelmed, she thinks it through, she deals with it head-on, and then she overcomes it."
Now at home, Lommel is adjusting to her new life and the prosthesis that help her do the everyday things she once did with ease.
"I can do anything if I put my mind to it. It's just different than how I used to. Now I'm confident – 'This is just who I am,'" she explained. "If you want to stare, go ahead. If you have questions, just ask. I am happy with where I am today. I've always wanted to help other people. Now I am in a position where I have been through a lot and I can help other people realize that they can come through, too."
