Wednesday (day41)

Good evening all. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Many things have happened with Shawna in the last couple of days. Maybe I should have kept writing daily. First they removed the chest cavity drain tube. This reduces another chance of infection. They have put her feet in casts to maintain her tendons and foot posture so its not so hard for her to walk later. Next thing was they took her down for xray of her pelvis. This showed that it is completely mended and she will not require any further surgery in that area. When she walks after rehab she won't have any problems with load bearing etc. They will be removing the external fixator in the next day or so. Another six infection points removed. Her trache was downsized yesterday and as a result she could spend the afternoon with darryl in the sunshine down the hallway with out air supply while she was in her neuro chair. When she got back they tested her oxygen absorption and it was at 99%. They decided to cap the trache and give her oxygen through a little tube at her nose. After a busy afternoon of semi-awareness we were gathered around her as we thought she was going back to sleep. Deb, Darryl, and Gord VanEgmond were watching as I was talking softly to her and watching her squeeze my hand. I asked Deb to come closer and asked Shawna to move the other hand that I was not holding and she did it. As a further test I asked her to try a smile which she did manage to do a few times. Deb was pretty excited about that. Then I asked Shawna if she could make a sound as her trache was now covered and she should be able to because I heard her make noise as she yawned. She took a breath and made the most beautiful small sighs I have heard in six weeks. We were beside ourselves with joy and thankfulness. She only did this when asked and at no other times prior or after. This all happens as the hospital is talking about fast-tracking Shawna to Dunnville hospital. We have so many questions about her care and condition and such uncertainty whether Dunnville can even handle her that we were quite upset before this happened. What blessings the Lord gives to his children in their time of need. I feel like I'm flying with the emotion that comes from just hearing this small response of hope. Shawna was semi awake for quite a while this afternoon and its becoming longer each day. Praise God! When we thought she was going back to sleep Deb told her we were going down for some supper and she moaned again like she was worried. When Deb said she would stay she squeezed Deb' s hand. Now we're almost afraid to leave. I've got some serious questions about whether or not she's in a coma. Her eye reactions are almost back to normal so she could be back. We're just not sure. She may have a lot of connections to make to move other body parts, but she's trying new things each day. We are so thankfull for your continued prayers and we are most assured that God does hear our prayers. Thank you all and God bless you. Al and Deb