Rip Van Winkle

Ammon finally opened his eyes and woke up enough to nod his head in answer to some questions. He could move his hands a little and he breathed on his own for about a half hour. Unfortunately, I had left by that time so I didn't get to be there and reassure him that I had been there all day long.

About 4 p.m. this afternoon they stopped the paralytic medication but at the same time they gave him some pain medicaton that knocks Ammon out. They expected him to wake within about an hour. I left at 7 p.m. and he was still non-responsive. It is now 9:30 and I just talked to the nurse. That's when he told me Ammon did wake up and did respond. They said he was doing just great!

The plan now is to put him down again into a deep sedation until tomorrow late afternoon. After Dr. Smith's clinic, he will take Ammon into the OR to take a look at his trachea. If all looks well, then they will extubate him. We do know that some of the swelling has gone down because they can hear air escaping when they deflate the "cuff." That's a really good sign.

We're making progress!! Maybe by tomorrow night at this time Ammon will be awake and excited.