The last hour has been eventful beginning with the doctor’s progress report. We began backing down the muscle relaxant around 4:00 PM CDT and the sedatives around 7:00 PM CDT. The muscle relaxant exited Claire’s system in short order and we discovered how quickly when her feet started twitching. The doctor confirmed that the movement we were seeing in her body was her controlling the movement. Muscle control is just level in a hierarchy of neurological functions, and items like her pupils dilating, eyes twitching and muscle movement demonstrate that the injury to her brain most likely doesn’t extend to her brain stem. The extent of the injury is still in question and the doctor indicated that he’d like to see some big steps toward some higher neurological functions over the next 24-36 hours.
The big step took place during the next 30 minutes when the vital monitor alarm interrupted our progress report. Claire was showing agitation and expressing it with eyes open and tears. While Tiffany comforted her bedside with her voice and holding her hand, I watched with the doctor who broke the silence with “This is a big step.”
The big step led to a couple of changes. The doctor asked the respiratory therapist to reset the ventilator so that Claire would now be directing the breathing. While the machine will continue to give pressure support and eight breaths per minute, Claire will direct the rate of breathing for the 32-40 breaths she is taking each minute. Because she is agitated, we are also adding a non-narcotic sedative to help the transition.
While Tiffany continued to comfort Claire, the doctor and I discussed the significance of Claire’s crying. Crying is another level in the functional hierarchy and helps us further narrow the extent of the injury. He restated that he said he would be looking for big steps over the next day and this is one of them.
This has been quite the capstone to a big day. Nurses and doctors were very encouraged today and didn’t hesitate to share that perspective with us.
We’ll next start looking at scheduling a time for an MRI tomorrow or Friday.
With today’s close I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. My sister Emily is also flying back to Colorado tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM CDT. I’ve loved having her here and her presence has meant a lot to me. Please pray for her safe travel.
We wanted to make sure and get a picture of Emily with Claire before she left. I look forward to showing it to Claire soon.
Also, in the first picture, the restraints around Claire’s wrists are there to keep her from pulling out the tubes and cords on her body as the sedative is drawn down.
It’s been a long, but positive day. I’ll post the nights events in the next update tomorrow.
Our Claire Journal 
I am speechless! I am overcome with this news! Miracles DO happen!
That is wonderful to hear… We’re all praying for you guys!! Love you all.
Cait & Erin
We send our prayers and love to all of you…It sounds like everyone’s prayers are already working! Take care-
Praise God!!! Praise God!!!
In ending my time on the IBC MOPS prayer chain I was ecstatic to hear of Claire’s “big steps” this evening. Our God is SO awesome!!! What a wonderful initial answer to the prayers that are being said by thousands everywhere on your behalf.
I, too, have never prayed for anything so fervently & so often but you, my friend Tiffany, your sweet Claire-bear, all your family and the excellent, compassionate medical staff will remain in my prayers until God blesses us with Claire’s 110% recovery. Praying that He continues these positive “big steps” that bring smiles to us all!
God Bless You, Leticia
Woooohoohoo!! Go Claire GO!!! You show those sedatives whose boss!!!
I’ll tell her your sentiments Bru.
YES. I love that response, Alex. And i agree!
Praise the Lord for answered prayers!!! Continuing to pray constantly for all of you and more “big steps” – lots of them! Saw this update as I began my turn on the MOPS prayer chain and nearly cried with joy! Thank you Lord and love to you all!
Oh my goodness!!! Oh Lord! YOU are so good & your mercies endure forever!!!
Dear Tiffany, Claire & family – this is such wonderful, ecstatic news!!!! I want to SHOUT praises to GOD!!!! My prayer time in our MOPS prayer chain is coming up shortly & I can’t wait to spend mire time praising HIM & continuing praying for all of you!
Many, many hugs & much love,
Sarah
Wow! Praise God! I pray for continued healing and restoration of Claire’s body. I pray for strength patience and God’s peace for you and Tiffany today.
May you be embreaced with God’s grace.
Gary
Little ones are so resilient! I am praying she continues to make great progress through the steps!! Your family is in my continued prayers today!
YAY!!! I am in total awe of our amazing Father. He never ceases to amaze me! The Greatest physcian ever!! We are praying for healing and celebrating each step along way. Big hugs to you all and sweet precious Claire!! Praises are being sung!!!
Overwhelmed with praise! SO excited about this! Will continue praying for her complete restoration, peace, strength, and rest for you and your family and that He would be glorified through it all!
The Ghormleys
WOW, How incredible! I woke up on my own to pray for her from 2:15-3am. I felt so positive and full of life in the middle of the night! God continues to astound us all with current day miracles and this is just the best! Your family portrays His perfect peace thru all this! Our entire family is praying for you all and sweet Claire!
Oh sweet friends – I am so happy!!! I can only imagine how you felt at the moment Claire opened her precious eyes!!! You two have such incredible strength and faith… and God IS faithful. We will continue to pray and pray like we have never prayed before for sweet Claire. Starting to research where we can find those pink high tops… 🙂 Love to you all!!!
I was made aware of Claire’s situation by Emily’s fiance Dave. I don’t want to intrude, but I wanted you to know that Claire is very much in our prayers here in Pennsylvania, and will continue to be. God bless you all.
If your family needs anything in Colorado please give them my email address, and I will do whatever I can, water plants feed dogs, or whatever to help them be there for you when needed.
Keeping you all in our prayers.
What a great way to start the day! Thanks for the updates, my OCD has kicked in and I check the blog constantly.
I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for your daughter in Oklahoma.
We praise God for the indicators of Claire’s progress, and for the doctors. Tyler, your notes are sound and we appreciate the details. Yesterday, my wife Darcie reminded me that wemet Tiffanyand Claire while visiting Ed and Sarah in August, 2007, which brings everything a little closer. (I called Claire’s Grandpa Ed and recalled my memory of Claire ‘munching’ on his finger during a ‘teething moment’. Again, we praise God for the doctors, for Claire’s determination, for Tyler’s updates and his strength, for friends pitching in, and for the support of family. Amen
I write this post with tears of relief and thanksgiving!
Keep fighting Claire. Your Auntie Shell is praying for you. I want you to get better so that I can come to visit you and we can laugh and play. I will be so much fun!! I love you so much sweet girl. See you soon!!
Praise you GOD. Please continue to bless us all with news of Claire’s “Big Steps”. I am in awe.
Praising Him for the wonderful news of Claire’s progress! Continuing to lift you all in prayer.
THANK GOD!!!! I am so happy for you guys! This has got to be the best feeling for you guys. Claire is a fighter you go girl!! I told my class and they all gave you a whooot whoot!! Cheered and Cheered!! We are your cheer leaders Claire keep fighting!! 🙂
Kristen
Praise our Lord for that!
Not a minute has gone by that I have not thought of Claire, and your whole family. Today’s post proves that nothing is impossible with God. Prayers are being lifted up continuously, and we can’t wait to see lil Claire running around with that sweet smile of hers! Hugs!
That is awesome news and has made my day!
Such great news to start my day! Tyler – I don’t know if you remember me, but I work in finance with Ricki Mathine and we were in Doug’s writing/powerpoint training class together. Ricki shared Claire’s story and your blog with me. I’ve sent it to all my prayer warriors. Looking forward to reading all about Claire’s great progress!
What amazing news!!! I’m so glad I got to spend some time with y’all yesterday. I look foward to reading more good news in the coming days.
THE POWER OF PRAYER!!
God is good, and He is proving that! We are stil blanketing you in prayer and have asked many, many others to join us. Blessings to Claire, your family, and the medical staff.
I heard about your presious little girl from John Smith. My daughter suffered a brain injury after choking on a cracker 3 years ago. There are many people out there that understand what you are going through and the miracles that come from this kind of tragedy. Your daughter is amazing and such a fighter!
“And his name shall be
the hope of all the world.”
(Matthew 12:21
Tons of prayers and hugs!
Pam and Makenzie
makenziesmirale.org
Praise the Lord for every small miracle. I will keep praying for this recovery to continue today. You do not know me, but I am a friend of Sarah, Claire’s Grandmother in Colorado Springs.
We all send our blessings and prayers to you and the family.
Thanks for all of your updates. It brings us so close and helps us to know how to pray.
You all are in my prayers. I’m friends with Mary Ellen and also have a three year old. Lyrics to a song is my prayer for you,”Be strong in the Lord, never give up hope. He will do great things!” Claire stays in my prayers.
Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers!!!
Hi, I’m Becky Barnes dad. I have been praying for Claire since I heard this news. I am so thankful for the good news you guys are receiving and for the way the Lord is showing His grace during this time. We will continue to pray for her and lift her up to our great God!
Woo-hoo! Keep the tears coming Claire! And yet another reminder that my crying, kicking and screaming children means that they are alive, healthy and aware. Claire, you have been an amazing reminder of my faith in God, and my love for my family! Keep the good news coming!
“Great” Aunt Grace
(I figure if I can actually use the “great” in my title, I should!)
I was made aware of your precious Claire from a friend on face book. I am praying for you, your family and of course sweet Claire. Lots of love and prayers from the Wood family in Charlottesville,Va.