Alessa's Germany Experience, Day 19 - Breathing on Her Own

Alessa is breathing on her own today. They removed the respirator just before noon. It was so good so see her breathing without the use of a machine. She still has the feeding tube in her nose and all the other various lines are still attached.

She's very weak, but she could look at us, blink her eyes and nod her head just a little. She isn't able to talk yet. We took turns putting a finger in her hand and she would give it a little squeeze. We call that finger hugs.

Dr. Rohr said that she's still under sedation to help keep the hallucinations from the ketamine to a minimum. Even with the sedation, she seemed to understand what we were saying.

When I told her that she's under the care of the Blessed Mother and that we've been lighting candles for her to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, tears ran down her face.

She seems to have a favorite nurse. His name is Daniel and he's in his early 20's. When he came into the room and said hi to her, she actually lifted her left arm and gave him a little wave. We couldn't believe that she was able to do that. This is definitely a good sign that she's on her way back to us.


Finger hugs.