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The doctors are gradually taking James out of the chemically-induced coma, so they can make sure he doesn't stay in it. They won't bring him out completely, but enough to be sure they can wake him up. He's responding to all sorts of things. In the process of changing the dressing on his chest, he grimaced. He's turned his head slightly toward his mother's voice. He squirmed away during a bath. He gagged when they were brushing his teeth. So he's at least responding to things.

Also, his heart is beating more strongly. The doctors think they will be able to wean him from the ECMO, and his heart should be able to sustain him for a little while. For instance, they should be able to have him on the ECMO for a few hours a day, and his heart should sustain him the rest of the time. If this isn't good news, I'm not sure what is.

There are, of course, still plenty of concerns. For one thing, he still needs the transplant. Even with his heart sustaining him, it'll only be for a few weeks.. he can't hold out much longer than maybe three weeks after the ECMO goes off. Second, after he gets the heart, his body's got to accept it. Then, he HAS to remember to medication, daily, the same time every day. If he forgets one dose, it could kill him. Now, don't anyone panic yet, cause that's not yet an issue. Also, he's going to pissed off. He had an advanced directive not to take heroic measures if something went wrong, and his mom over-rode it. He's going to think it's July 30th when he wakes, and he's gonna find out it's not only August, but he's in a different state.

We at least have a bit of a larger window of time, and bit more hope for him. Please pray. Pray hard. Also, keep in mind, despite him responding, he very likely could be brain damaged. The doctors can't tell the extent of any brain function until he's awake and recovering.

Dear God,
Thank you for this little bit of extra time. Stay by him, continue to hold his hand through this. He's still got so far to go. Stay with his family and friends, and work your miracles with him.
Amen.

Oh. And he's at Arkansas Children's Hospital, the only children's hospital in Arkansas and the best children's hospital in the south west, with the best pediatric transplant center in the US.