More encouraging news regarding Rusty Burke’s state of health:

Rusty's recovery is continuing along the lines that we have mentioned: baby steps, but still progressing.

- He has spells of both being aware and being confused. His night and day are turned around; he has awake periods and totally zonked periods.

- He is talking a lot more.

- Their friend Ella had him singing and chatting away.

- He is talking in more complex and complete sentences. When Shelly came into the room and said 'hi', he said 'hello, I love you.'

- He is swearing and being sarcastic in his speech (good sign!). When the doctors told him he needed an EKG, he started swearing and he sarcastically replied, "It sounds delightful."

- The nose tube is out and he has a gastric tube for feeding. This allowed him to eat some applesauce.

- He was stood up and while standing looked out the window and said, "Oh, there's snow."

- His legs are restless but that is providing him some exercise when he moves them. Shelly said he has a good amount of strength in his arms. Bed sores are bothering him, however.

- Once he passes the swallow test he will move to a rehab hospital. The doctors are reviewing everything and will know if this can happen later this week.

- Shelly continues to pass along our names and well-wishes to Rusty, so let's keep going with that.

So, the progress is continuing and encouraging. But the road to recovery is still a long one. Please continue with you healing prayers and thoughts of strength for Rusty and Shelly.

More info as I get it. Please feel free to pass along any and all of these reports.

Indy Bill Cavalier

Well, I’d say that if Rusty is joking and swearing once again, he’s out of the darkest depths of the woods. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers, sword-brothers.

For those just finding out, an account of Rusty’s original accident can be found here.