Norma Wallace: six months later
Norma Wallace and
Martin Topiel, MD, have written a new chapter in medical history. And the story was shared with the world via newspapers, television and radio.
The story began when Wallace, a mail processor for the U.S. Postal Service, tried to fix a jammed machine. A white powder was the culprit, and an air gun was used to clear it. Wallace was right in the line of fire. Two weeks later, she began feeling feverish, weak and achy. Her family doctor referred her to the emergency room at Virtua Memorial Hospital where, after extensive testing, she was diagnosed with inhalation anthrax. After an 18-day battle, Wallace was well enough to go home.
Six months later, she says her life if slowly but surely getting back to normal. She has developed an inner peace and, while she has always been close with her family, has become in touch with them on a different level. Wallace continues to see Dr. Topiel who she calls her "angel." He says: "Norma is a wonderful, articulate, brave and courageous person. We expect her to have a full recovery, although she will need continuous monitoring."