+ 1 on the zip lock
+1 on the freezer (warning: this will not fix the drive but might buy you a window of time to backup your data)
COSTCO has those airsuction zip lock thingys ... you might want to consider it and then pass it along to the wife when finished.
But as Stijn says it's a gambit.
Disk recovery is possible my recommends this place
www.duplinet.com contact guy's name is John Daly.