Beverly finally got a good night's sleep! This is cause for celebration, and enabled her to tolerate the day's activities. These included arm, hand and shoulder exercises with Pauletta, two hours sitting in the chair, and some "long sitting" exercises with the occupational therapists. This involved her sitting up in bed, and placing her hands and arms under her knees and pulling them up toward her chest. She did great! The strength in her arms and shoulders amazes everyone. Maybe this is because Janie, Chris and Pauletta continually work with her upper body strength??? Today marked one week that our new hero Bill has worked with her, and he sees wonderful progress in her breathing muscles in just one week. Something he did has worked, as she will no longer need the chest vibrator or even the cough assist! She is his star pupil!

Now, for the cautionary good news! Remember how we always say that when we go two steps forward, we sometimes go one step back? I am almost afraid to type this, but today the doctor said to totally take her off the ventilator, EVEN OVERNIGHT ! So, tonight will be the test! This will be the first time in two months, that she totally breathes on her own, day and night. We will update you on how it went, but believe that she is ready, able and willing to breathe on her own. She does still have the "flow by" which just gives her some extra oxygen. But we knew when she said "okay" that she was ready! This is the day we have been praying for!