Zak here. We've had some good news again today. Brad is now off the ventilator and breathing on his own. A shave and tooth brushing later (thanks to Beth), he's starting to look like his old self. Without the tubes down his throat he manages to speak a little -- his first words, when the nurse pointed to dad as asked "who is that?" were were "my dad". He's giving thumbs up, recongizing people who come to visit him and is, overall much more alert. I haven't been able to get in to the hospital to see him today but will be stopping by to visit tonight.