Bethany released from hospital; may return to water in 2 weeks
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Surfer Bethany Hamilton, whose left arm was bitten off by a tiger shark a week ago, was released from Wilcox Hospital yesterday and headed home to spend time with her dog.
"Now that Bethany is out of the hospital, what we need most is some family time to ourselves," said her father, Tom Hamilton, in a statement issued through the hospital. "Bethany's been doing well with her recovery, but the family is pretty exhausted and emotionally drained because of all we've been through."
Bethany Hamilton
The 13-year-old surf champion underwent two operations, and her doctor, orthopedic surgeon David
Rovinsky, said she should be able to return to the ocean once the wound heals in two to four weeks.
The global attention on Bethany has been remarkable, helped by national media attention and by the Web's ability to quickly spread information.
"We truly appreciate all the 'ohana and our friends on Kaua'i and the many new friends we've made around the world through e-mail and Web site contact," her father said.
