<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div>Lucky number seven. Michael was successfully weaned off the ventilator this morning around 10 AM--or more accurately, the staff got tired of his shenanigans and yanked it. He took it well and is breathing all on his lonesome without difficulty. There's still some discomfort--back, chest, and throat are sore for separate but obvious reasons--but he should be much more comfortable by tomorrow. </div><div> </div><div>He's not back to his old communicative self yet since moderm meds have the habit of holing up in the body's tissues and take time to purge. Within hours, though, he was making good eye contact, responding to basic instructions, and asking for things he wanted (took some lipreading since his voice isn't back yet). </div><div><br></div><div>One of his first requests? Sample exchange:</div><div>"I want to get up." </div><div>"No, Mike, getting up happens later; now is the time for sitting down." </div><div>"I want to get up."</div><div>"Look, you're not getting up."</div><div>"I want to get up."</div><div>"Hey . . . stop that. You're not supposed to be lifting things with your arms (like, say, your whole body)."</div><div>"Why?"</div><div>"It's bad. Just stop it, okay?"</div><div>"I want to get up."</div><div><br></div><div>Actually, I've been at parties in Los Angeles in the early 90s where Mike's conversations were nearly identical to this, so I take is a particularly good sign.</div><div> </div><div>Needless to say Barb et al couldn't be happier. Hospital staff expects him to be more or less drug free and right in the head tomorrow (we'll assume they mean "more right in the head", as they really don't know what passes for Norm in Michael). They'll get him on the phone with Morgan and Maddie as soon as possible (couldn't today because his voice isn't back yet). We also hope to capitalize on his newly returned reasoning capacity to impress upon him the undesirability of lifting things with his arms (like, say, his whole body). </div><div> </div><div>Clearly word has gotten around about Michael's turn for the better and they greatly appreciate the influx of calls and messages today (though friends should try to do Barb et al a solid by *not* calling, so that they can focus their energies on Michael and what they have to get done out there).</div><div><br></div><div>Nonetheless, they confer apologies for not getting back to people individually--they're sure you understand how focused they've been on Michael--but rest assured that each and every message has had a positive impact. Michael will also see them, as soon as he's able.</div><div><br></div><div>They are extremely thankful to everyone for the great and ongoing support</div><div><br></div><div>In service and love,</div><div><br></div><div>Baron Max Von Halstern</div></body></html>