Statement from Michaela Blanton, wife of slain state trooper Shawn Blanton:

"I want to let the community know how much I appreciate the incredible support that is being shown to Tye and me. There are several events tomorrow (Saturday, July 12) and I will be attending them and looking forward to thanking people in person.

The past week has been a difficult one for Tye in many ways. His heart condition continues to be a big challenge for him and he in fragile condition still. But he is also making progress, and I think he has exceeded the expectations his doctors had, based on his initial condition.

He has now gained a full pound from his birth weight; he weighs 3 pounds, 7 ounces. He has grown 2 inches total, and is now 16 ¼ inches long.

He is tolerating small weans in the ventilator rate; he has progressed from needing 25 breaths a minute down to 8 at most times. He has graduated to a “big boy” bed, which is more like a crib. He’s doing a good job, better than expected in many ways.

I hold him and love on him several times a day, and the nurses say that he can definitely tell when it’s me. When I walk up to his crib, his oxygen saturation rates (in his bloodstream) go up to 100 percent on their own, and his heart rate goes to a healthy rate. He loves “kangarooing”, where I hold him skin to skin. It’s his comfort zone. And I even did his nails yesterday, and he loved it … he held out his hand for me.

Seeing Tye, it’s obvious that prayers do work. I don’t think he would have made it as far as he has without them. It will be good to see and be able to thank our friends, and the many strangers who have become friends by supporting us, on Saturday at benefits in Cherokee and in Maggie Valley and Canton."

- Michaela Blanton
July 11, 2008Slain Trooper's Wife Updates Baby's Condition (07/11/08)