More Milestones - BIG ones

Yesterday they took Clare off the ventilator and she has done so well breathing on her own that tomorrow they may change her trachea to one that will allow her to try and talk! They also took her neck brace off. She looks so much more comfortable. Every time they remove a tube or wire or brace or stitch, she looks better. Clare's hair is about half an inch long and it is coming in pretty dark. Several people have commented as they see her pictures in the room that "Clare is not a real blond" and that her secret is out. It is definitely looking darker than I remember it.


Physical therapy seems to be accelerating Clare's progress. Her eyes are so much more expressive. She likes to raise her eyebrows and make facial expressions. I am not sure if they are all intentional or if she is rediscovering facial muscles and just trying them out. There are times when I think she recognizes me and other times when I am not sure.


Clare is much more relaxed now and will lay for long periods of time just looking around. I like this much better than the thrashing and the look of panic that we have witnessed in past weeks. That has been really hard for all of us and especially for Kris. Today marked 4 weeks since they put the external fixators into her pelvis. They said they would stay in place 4 to 6 weeks so the next big visible hurdle will be to have these removed.


Any bets on what the first discernible thing Clare says will be? Several of the nurses have warned us that it will be a 4 letter word.