Day Eight - Thursday December 22, 2011 a.m.

This morning they took an x-ray of Bridgett's neck, in a flexed position. You may wonder how they did that when she can't sit up or move her neck; they held her in place for it.  Looking at the x-ray they decided that the fractures are stable enough to have the brace off for now, until she starts moving more. The soft brace would interfere with the tracheostomy. By the way I keep forgetting to explain that the fractures are spinous process fractures.  I also forgot to report that by late Tuesday Bridgett was showing decorticate posturing.  This actually worried us at first. She is bringing her arms and hands up to her chest, with the hands curled.  However, the doctors said this is a good sign, that we are moving forward towards coming out of the coma.  The next thing they would expect is for her to push their hands away or try to remove tubes/wires.  All of her nurses said that if/when she hits them they will be thrilled. All morning Bridgett has been very active, almost continually moving her legs.  She seems to be pedaling a bicycle or just exercising.  She has also been trying to open up her eyes.  She had them open a few times today already.  They told me that opening the eyes and waking up are not the same thing; she will open the eyes before she actually wakes up.  In the movies when people wake up from a coma and start talking--that never happens in real life.  We are watching for baby steps and she is moving forward.  One of her doctors told me today that he believes that she can hear us now and that we should tell her it's almost Christmas and that she should wake up for Christmas.  That is the Christmas gift we are praying for!  Bridgett's surgery is scheduled for today about 3:30.  Everyone keep her in your prayers!  We think we found a dentist that will come up tomorrow and evaluate Bridgett's condition with her broken teeth.  For an update on my dad--he is in a coma this morning and not expected to last long.