Family enjoys laughter even as college student battles flesh-eating bacteria Doctors have amputated one of Aimee Copeland's legs and part of her abdomen She also may lose her fingers The University of West Georgia is holding a blood to benefit her (CNN) -- "Fun" is not the word that one would expect to hear from a father as he watches a daughter's courageous struggle against flesh-eating bacteria -- a battle that has pushed her to the brink of death and back -- but Andy Copeland says he's trying to enjoy life with his family despite their trials. "Today was a really huge day," Copeland wrote Monday evening in his blog that details his daughter's battle. Let me just say that we had a lot of fun with Aimee today. Aimee Copeland, 24, lies in a hospital bed, hooked to respirator which is helping her breathe. She has already lost a leg and part of her abdomen to the virulent bacteria and may lose more, including her fingers. But yet there was reason for hope Monday. "We saw Aimee laugh and smile," Andy Copeland said. She told us some things she wanted, we played games with her and she was very stimulated. It was an amazing time. On a Facebook post, he wrote that doctors have used words like "astonishing," "confounding" and "mind-boggling" to describe the young woman's recovery. We see the miraculous survival," Copeland said. Aimee Copeland's case was rarer. "However, physicians have hope of bringing life back to the palms of her hands, which could allow her the muscle control to use helpful prosthetics," the blog said. Students at the University of West Georgia are rallying to Copeland's aid. A blood drive to benefit Aimee will be held Tuesday at the student center. A second blood drive will be held next week in Gwinnett County, where the Copelands live "The response has just been unbelievable," Gary Duke, owner of the Sunnyside Cafe where Copeland worked, told CNN affiliate WSB-TV. Andy Copeland has told his daughter that one day, the family will celebrate Aimee Day -- when she will be able to breathe on her own. Monday was a step in the right direction as the mood lightened and Aimee's condition improved. "The nurses were even laughing and saying it sounded like a game show in Aimee's room," Copeland said. It's a show the family hopes will go into reruns.