PHOENIX, Ariz. (KNXV) — An 82-year-old San Tan Valley woman is finally heading home after spending more than two months recovering from severe burns she suffered after falling asleep at her community pool during 105-degree heat.
Betty-Lou Summer was hospitalized June 11th after she was found unresponsive and covered in blisters at her neighborhood pool. She was transported to the burn center, where she underwent multiple surgeries for heat stroke and third-degree burns. Her family says she also suffered septic shock and kidney injury that required dialysis.
She was discharged from the burn center on July 27th and has been in rehabilitation ever since, until Wednesday afternoon.
"Finally, finally, a sigh of relief," said her daughters, Michelle Gabbert and Jill Watts. "When that time finally comes, you just feel like a huge sigh of relief that we finally got there with everybody on that journey."
Her medical team says recovery from burns this severe is a lengthy and complex process, requiring physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, and coordination across multiple medical specialties.
Betty-Lou says she is looking forward to getting back to her pets, her flower garden, and baking chocolate cream pie. As for ever returning to the pool, her answer was simple: "No interest."
Her family says she will continue wound care appointments and outpatient therapy, but doctors say she is out of the woods.
Watch Kamilah Williams' full report above.
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