Leah Stewart remains in intensive care after suffering life-threatening injuries in the June 13 shark attack, with her family saying her first words were to her mother and partner as doctors prepare for further surgery.

The Sydney teacher and mother briefly regained consciousness after spending 10 days in an induced coma.

Stewart, a mother of a one-year-old girl, was able to speak to her family after doctors reduced her sedation and removed her from mechanical ventilation. According to her brother, Joshua Stewart, who is organising a fundraising campaign for her recovery, her first words were “I love you” to her mother and partner.

Her family said her first concern after waking was her young daughter, asking whether she was all right. Stewart remains in intensive care in Sydney and her condition is still serious.

The attack left Stewart with life-threatening injuries, including multiple bites to her arms and legs, lacerations, fractures and severe blood loss, according to the family’s fundraising page. She has undergone several operations, including the amputation of an arm, and further surgeries are expected. 

Her brother described her progress as faster than expected after an extremely critical week, calling the development a “miracle”. The fundraiser, which will help support her rehabilitation, prosthetics, ongoing care and family needs, had raised nearly A$500,000 by Wednesday. 

The incident has also renewed concern over shark activity along Sydney’s beaches. Shark surveillance has been stepped up after the attack, including the use of drones, while authorities have faced calls for stronger safety measures at popular swimming spots.