EDMONTON, Alberta — With a wave goodbye to hospital workers who saved her life, 14-month-old Erika Nordby went home Friday, more than a month after her heart stopped beating for two hours after she wandered into the frigid night.
The toddler's body temperature was 61 degrees when emergency workers arrived Feb. 24 at the house after she was found lying face down in the snow.
Despite her ordeal, Erika has made a complete recovery, showing no signs of internal organ or brain damage that can occur in such cases. She required minor surgery to repair damaged skin on one foot.
"Her fighting spirit that has gotten her this far will, I'm sure, be a valuable asset," her mother, Leyla Nordby, 26, said as Erika squirmed on her lap Friday.
"We are going home today with a very bright future," the mother said. "I got my little girl back and all her limbs have been spared. Erika's recovery has been nothing short of a miracle."
Erika's story has been reported around the world, with doctors in Edmonton calling her recovery miraculous.
Although it took three hours for her body temperature to approach normal, Erika was alert within days, and even the frostbite on her fingers and toes healed enough to avoid amputation. Now Erika must give her surgically mended foot a few weeks to heal, doctors say, but otherwise she was in good health.
Dr. Nadeem Mian, Erika's pediatrician, said the toddler's case still has medical experts shaking their heads.
"Not breathing, no heartbeat for I don't know how long, and then recovering — that is history-making," he said. "It touched my heart."
News of her story brought donations of more than $3,333, along with teddy bears and other gifts. Nordby has said the money will go to a fund for Erika's education and other needs.