"Miracles Are Happening...!!!"

My cousin Lori called me tonight and uttered those words! "Thrilled" would be putting it mildly of how I felt (and currently feel!)...

It all started around lunchtime today. Lori went to visit Loretta during her lunch hour. When she walked into her room (not ICU... Praise God!), my uncle, my cousin Julie and her husband Tommy, and Julie's daughter Kaelyn were there. Lori immediately went to her mom and started talking to her.

Well, Loretta opened her eyes and then uttered her first words - "I just...." It was very garbled, but everyone heard it. And, when that happened, everyone just erupted in excitement! Seriously... this was totally unexpected!

So here are the rest of the improvements...

They started giving her water. They'd ask, "Do you want some water" and Loretta would say "Yes." Then they'd tell her to concentrate on swallowing and she'd do it correctly. She would respond to commands throughout the day ("squeeze my hand".... "release your grip"). Her eyes stayed focused all day. She even lifted her right leg!

The doctor was amazed. They say he couldn't believe what was going on... we just believe that God is answering our prayers! At one point tonight, Loretta actually grabbed the glass out of Lori's hand and gave herself a drink!

Tomorrow she begins taking food again - albeit, ground-up food. But, that's a big improvement! She will begin seeing an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist...

You really have to understand my excitement - this weekend I thought all was lost! Now, we're not totally out of the woods yet, but "miracles are happening!" And right now, I feel like jumping up and down on the top of my roof!

So thank you all for your prayers, and I just ask that you continue to think of my Aunt Loretta! Today was a GREAT day in her recovery!

Praise be to God!!!