WASHINGTON — A Crofton, Maryland, woman who was shot in the head during the Las Vegas mass shooting moves forward as she shows promising signs of recovery.
Tina Frost, 27, an Arundel High School alum, returned to Maryland over the weekend after receiving extensive treatment in Las Vegas immediately following the Oct. 1 shooting. Doctors had to remove her right eye.
But since she was making such improvements in Las Vegas, family spokesperson Amy Klinger said, doctors felt it best she was moved sooner rather than later to get the “best neurological rehab, as well as starting the facial reconstruction process.”
Frost continues hospitalization in Baltimore.
“She’s made incredible progress,” Klinger said, detailing Frost’s responsiveness. “She was able to open her [left] eye, and the doctor showed her three fingers and she responded by showing three fingers, and then he switched to two fingers and she responded by showing two fingers.”
Frost’s left eye has 20/20 vision, and while she hasn’t spoken yet, she has responded to commands directed at her vision and hearing. She even gave a thumbs up to her boyfriend, Klinger said.
She was also able to take a few steps with the nurses’ help, and while she couldn’t bear her own weight yet, it was a “huge accomplishment,” Klinger added.
Although the acts of physical coordination seem to be going well, Klinger admitted, “I don’t know, though, from a neurological stand point, what that means.”
“The doctors have no way of knowing what’s going on in her brain. But she seems to be showing signs like she wants out of the bed but not really signs of fear or agitation,” Klinger said.
Frost, a California resident, was attending a country music festival in Las Vegas with her boyfriend when she was shot. Hundreds were injured and 58 people died in the massacre.
“So, it’s unlikely that she knows what has happened to her,” Klinger added. “Her parents are very cautious about people discussing it in the room because they don’t want to upset her if she is aware. So they’re not really speaking about the injuries or the incident in her presence.”
As Frost’s family grapples with the emotional weight of her hospitalization, Klinger said they’ve greatly appreciated the donations they’ve received through a GoFundMe campaign.
Since her treatment “could take every single penny that has been raised,” Klinger said, at least medical costs are one less thing the family has to worry about. Donations have surpassed the initial $50,000 goal and have soared over $500,000.
“All of everyone’s thoughts and prayers and positive energy has really motivated the family to keep their energy up and pass that along to Tina,” Klinger said.
