Well, hopefully I'm back now. I've had a rough week of trying to get myself better. Thanks for your patience.

I had a long talk with Mia today and she said he was probably about the same, showing a few progressive changes toward maybe following a command. She said he was agitated a lot of the time that he was sitting up for 3 hours and wasn't in a chair that had a front protective tray. Therefore, he kept falling any way that he could and she was afraid that he would fall forward and hit on his head so she had the staff bring him a tray chair and he did better. Last Monday, he did sort of the same thing (became agitated) and she wondered if it might have been too much stimulation to the brain with a lot of company, etc. However, when they put him back in bed, he settled down pretty quickly.

His brother, Rick, called him today and Mia put the phone up to Gary's ear. Rick and Gary have had different political views for quite some time and so Rick chose his conversation to his (Rick's) advantage since Gary couldn't talk back! Rick's voice carries really well and he was quite dogmatic in telling Gary to get out of the bed! Mia said it was interesting to watch Gary become agitated and even moved his lips as if trying to talk to Rick. I think his other brother, Danny, will try next to see how big bro listens to him!

PT and other therapists are working with Gary daily trying to wake up that good brain of his. I think it may be sooner than we think (when they get the trach out).

Please keep up your prayers. Let's not let God down now; He's done such a good job thus far, as has Gary and Mia. Pray also for Brandon and Leah at this difficult time in their lives.

Our love to all of you, Bill and Nancy