Growing up in Utah, Tiffany Fonohema lived the classic Wasatch Front life. Mountain biking, snowboarding, and barrel racing were her passions.
In the fall of 2017, things took a drastic turn when she was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs and was admitted to a hospital south of Salt Lake City.
Tiffany was placed in a medically induced coma due to her pneumonia. During her month-long coma, Tiffany's blood pressure had to be medically elevated, which led to necrosis in her hands and feet.
It was the perfect storm.
Doctors brought Tiffany out of her coma to save her life. Tiffany’s boyfriend Moe and her physician were bedside to support Tiffany as she was told her arms and legs would need to be amputated.
"During my coma, Moe spoke to our five children about the procedure, what to expect, and that I would be home as soon as possible to start the process of being fitted for prosthetics," Tiffany said.
Tiffany's legs and arms were amputated, making her a quadruple amputee.
Several months later, Tiffany received her prosthetic legs.
"When I stood for the first time, I felt like I was balancing like when I was a snowboarder," Tiffany said.
Tiffany Turns to University of Utah Hospital
Tiffany experienced nerve pain due to scarring at the ends of her amputated arms.
In August 2023, Tiffany saw Christopher Goodenough, MD, MPH in plastic reconstructive surgery at University of Utah Hospital. Goodenough performed targeted muscle reinnervation surgery on Tiffany's arms—grafting muscle from her forearms and attaching those muscles to her nerves.
Goodenough said, "When nerves are able to grow into a muscle, it helps the brain send stronger signals, which helps diminish the phantom pain many amputees experience."
With her reconstructed nerves, Tiffany can control her arm prosthetics more easily.
"Tiffany is an amazing person who dealt with her muscle regeneration surgeries incredibly well. Having a good social support group, starting with her husband, Moe, makes a big difference in the recovery process," Goodenough said.
What's Life Like Now for Tiffany?
Caring friends and community helped remodel Tiffany's home to help her move with her newfound legs and arms.
"I joined a group of amputees using the same prosthetic hand I have, so we get better together," Tiffany said.
Tiffany has returned to the Utah outdoors—camping and riding in a side-by-side dune buggy. Eventually, Tiffany would like to once again drive. "Maybe start with a slow golf cart," she laughed.
"I'm grateful to be alive, knowing I was given a 10% chance to survive," Tiffany said.
Today, Tiffany continues to make great strides in returning to the life she loves.
Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital
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