Being shot six times, suffering a heart attack and spending nearly four weeks in the hospital cannot keep Judy Ferguson down.

Judy Ferguson

Ferguson and her husband, Bill, own Ferguson TV, VCR and Satellite Service in Caseyville. While at work the morning of Nov. 14, Ferguson was shot six times in a robbery, suffering 12 wounds – six entry and six exit wounds – a fractured pelvis and she nearly lost her right index finger.

After almost two weeks at St. Louis University Hospital, the 66 year-old was transferred to Anderson Hospital in Maryville to continue her rehabilitation. She suffered a heart attack an hour after her arrival.

Doctors put in a stent following the heart attack, but also found 80 percent blockage in another artery, so they placed another stent in Ferguson two weeks later. The cardiologist told her the heart attack was from the stress she had suffered, Ferguson said.

The efforts of the Anderson staff did not go unnoticed. “I can’t say enough about Anderson, they were very, very good,” Ferguson said.

Getting shot twice in each leg, and the broken pelvis that resulted, robbed Ferguson of the ability to walk. After two weeks of rehabilitation at Anderson Hospital, working three hours per day, seven days per week, Ferguson is back on her feet. She has recently recovered enough to walk short distances without the aid of a walker. Full recovery could take 3-6 months.

“I still have some way to go, I can walk on my own a little bit now,” Ferguson said. “I’ve worked really hard at it.”

Family members welcomed Ferguson back home in mid December.

The next battle is attempting to regain full use of her right hand, which she still cannot move up and down. A bullet went through the right index finger, which was surgically reattached. She still has a wire through the finger and wears a cast up to her elbow on the right side. Ferguson will have a nerve conduction study in January to determine the extent of nerve damage in her hand and the next steps for treatment.

Through her recovery, Ferguson has enjoyed tremendous support from her family and the community. “Everybody has been very, very sweet,” Ferguson said. “We know a lot of people here in town.”

Ferguson not only knows many people in Caseyville, she has clearly made a positive impression on the town. The citizens were so concerned with her recovery that Police Chief Jose Alvarez updated the Village Board on the status of her health during their regularly scheduled November meeting, ensuring town leaders knew the latest.

“I would like to thank everyone for all the cards, their kindness and their prayers,” Ferguson said.

The support from her family has been everything she could ask for, she said.

“I have two wonderful daughters, who are both in the medical field, and they have been great,” Ferguson said. “My husband has been taking care of me this whole time, and he’s just been wonderful.”

Bill re-opened Ferguson TV, VCR and Satellite Service Monday. Judy may soon follow.

“I probably will go back to work. I have been back in there since this happened and it didn’t bother me,” Ferguson said.

Previous story: http://metroindependent.com/2013/11/16/man-charged-in-caseyville-shooting-victim-recovering/2257