The Denver television news anchor bitten in the face by a dog during a live broadcast earlier this month is on her way to recovery after two surgeries, more than 70 stitches and a skin graft.



Kyle Dyer of Denver’s 9News was conducting an interview about the rescue of an 85-pound mastiff from an icy lake when she leaned toward the dog, prompting it to lunge at her.



After two weeks of not being physically able to speak, Dyer recalled the incident in an interview with her 9News co-anchor.



“I didn’t realize the extent of the injury. I knew it was bad when my lips didn’t touch anymore,” she said. “I realized all the blood — the top part of my lip here was gone.”



She added, “First thing I think is, ‘I’m bleeding and it had to be live on TV.’ Then I thought, ‘I got to call my mom before one of her bridge friends calls her.’”



Dyer was in surgery for four hours after the attack, during which she received a skin graft and 70 stitches. She had a second reconstructive surgery Monday, when her 70 stitches were taken out and replaced with 20 new ones.



She told 9News it took her a while to understand the severity of her injuries.



“I was so out of it. You and the viewers knew what was going on with me before I knew,” Dyer said. “The problem was the lip. I didn’t have one. Plastic surgery also puts a face back together and that’s what I needed.”



The dog, Max, is now back with his family after being quarantined by animal control for 10 days, 9News reported.



“It was an accident and it all just kind of snowballed and perfect stormed into the bite,” Dyer said.



The injury, she said, may never completely heal: “It may be six months, or never, to get feeling back….I just wake up every day, take my meds, put on lotion and sunscreen, have to for all this new skin, talk with my family and pray.”



“I’m so lucky, and it could have been worse. It was bad, but just think if it was my cheek or my nose or my eye or throat,” she said. “I’m fortunate. I’m going to be fine.”