mark, the fact that she can squeeze a hand and all the things you said, so soon after being in the shape they found her is just astonishing good news!!! Like Mahonri said, nothing is sure at this point, but that is SO ENCOURAGING!!! I though maybe this thread was going to be very short and sad when I read the first post. I am so glad she is still fighting the fight. I lost my mother to the very same thing when i was seven, so I know first hand how devastating this can be for a family. My strongest and deepest good thoughts go out to her and your whole family. Barring more setbacks, I predict she will continue to improve quite a bit in the new year. Here's hoping at least.