Carla Nash, the woman who was attacked and disfigured by a friend’s chimpanzee on Feb. 16 in Connecticut, remains in critical condition at the Cleveland Clinic, and her chances to make a full recovery are not clear for the moment, the facility said Wednesday.

 

Nash lost her nose, upper and lower lips, eyelids and both her hands in the attack, as well as the “bony structures in her mid-face,” a statement by the clinic said.

 

“While these wounds have been stabilized, critical issues still remain related to a significant traumatic brain injury and injuries to her eyes that threaten her vision. The full extent of these injuries, and her potential for recovery, if any, remain unclear at this time,” the facility further said.

 

On Feb. 16, Nash, 55, was called by her friend Sandra Herold, the owner of the 14-year-old chimp, named Travis. When Travis saw Nash, he jumped on her and began biting and mauling her, police reports read. The animal was shot to death.

 

Nash was immediately taken to Stamford Hospital where she underwent a seven-hour surgery. Several days later, she was brought to the famous Cleveland Clinic, where the nation’s first face transplant had been performed. The transplant involved not just skin and muscles but bones too.

 

Nash’s brother Stephan told the Associated Press on Wednesday that his sister is a fighter and she is in good hands where she is. “I’m optimistic. I think she can do it.”

 

Anyone who wants to help with donations for Nash’s care can go to http://www.nashtrust.com.