Family Pleads for Journalist's Release; Sago Mine Survivor Begins to Awaken
PHILLIPS: West Virginia miner Randal McCloy Jr. is coming out of his coma and he's rewriting medical textbooks at the same time. McCloy is opening eyes and swallowing. One doctor says McCloy is probably the longest known survivor of this type of carbon monoxide poisoning. CNN's Chris Huntington had a chance to question doctors earlier today in Morgantown. And Chris, I guess when you hear doctors say the word "miracle" it's pretty darn encouraging.</s>CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is quite remarkable, Kyra. These doctors here, very sophisticated folks are using words like "miracle," "hopeful," "thankful." Words of emotion and passion, frankly that you would think would perhaps not be coming off the tongue of these doctors who, by profession and for very good reason, need to be cautious about being loose with speculation. But nonetheless, they are very, very encouraged by the sign these are seeing in Randy McCloy. And here's how the chief of neurosurgery here at West Virginia University Hospital put it this morning.</s>DR. JULIAN BAILES, NEUROSURGEON: With great hope, we announce that Randy McCloy is awakening from his coma. He is opening his eyes. He has purposeful movements. He responds to his family in slight ways. He moves all extremities. His brain stem function, which has been normal, remains normal. Pupillary response, swallowing, facial movement. We consider him probably best described in a light coma.</s>HUNTINGTON: So crucial to remember, still in a light coma. Has not fully awakened. He has not spoken yet. Doctors are saying that speaking on behalf of McCloy's family members, who have about in and around Randy's room as much as possible, that the family members say they believe that they're sensing an emotional reaction coming from Randy. The doctors a bit more hesitant to confirm that, saying that they want to see a bit more evidence. You mentioned, Kyra, in coming to me, that the doctors are saying this is one for the record books. We questioned them on that several times during this press conference. They believe -- and it's interesting. This is the first time now in two weeks since the accident, but they've had a lot of time to consult with other doctors around the world and medical research. They believe that Randy McCloy may be the longest term survivor of this kind of carbon monoxide poisoning in history. They are not aware of anybody else who has survived this. And as one of the doctors put it, and he was very careful to underscore that he is speculating, one the main factors that he has to believe was at play here is that somehow Randy McCloy had access to more oxygen during those 40 hours in the mine than the others did. He wouldn't elaborate on that. We have heard reports, unconfirmed, that maybe, maybe some of the other miners shared some of their emergency gear with Randy. We just don't know if that's the case. But clearly, the fact that he survived for 41 hours in an environment that we know was laced with carbon monoxide means that somehow, some way, he did manage to get some oxygen during that period of time. So the doctors, as you said, Kyra, are using the word "miracle" here. Still a long way to go for Randy McCloy, but they're very, very encouraged by his pace of recovery -- Kyra.</s>PHILLIPS: Chris, you said family members say that they feel like they're emotionally connecting to him. How is that happening?</s>HUNTINGTON: Well, again, none of the family members have spoken to us directly, today at least, or -- nor, for that matter, in the past week. There was a family representative here, not a direct member of the family, who has said to a certain extent that the family believes that Randy is able to -- you know, I mentioned, he's able to open his eyes and track to a certain degree. You can imagine, if this was a family member of yours, you might be wanting to see as much as you could out of that. And the doctors said as much. They said clearly the family is hoping for best and wants to read each sign to its fullest. The doctors, a bit more cautious. They say they need to see more objective signs of Randy's recovery, but they are optimistic.</s>PHILLIPS: I can imagine just having that hand squeeze would be incredible. Chris Huntington, thank you.</s>HUNTINGTON: Thank you.</s>PHILLIPS: Former President Gerald Ford improving enough to go home soon. That word from his chief of staff who says that Ford could leave a California hospital tomorrow. We may hear for certain a bit later today. Ford has been in the hospital since Saturday with pneumonia. At 92, Ford is the nation's oldest living former president. And we're waiting to hear from doctors treating baby Noor. The Iraqi infant went back into the hospital here in Atlanta this morning for what's described as a 10-minute procedure. It involves draining fluid from her back that has built up since her surgery last week for spina bifida. Earlier, doctors said they plan to keep her in the hospital for just a few more days just to be on the safe side. Wet weather causing many airport delays in the northeast. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras has the forecast now at the CNN Weather Center. Hey, Jacqui. If you can hear me, Jacqui, flip on your mic, my dear. There we go. She's going to have it in two seconds.</s>JACQUI JERAS, CNN WEATHER CENTER: Yes.</s>PHILLIPS: There we go, yes.</s>JERAS: There we go. Hello, hello! Sorry about that. I didn't want everybody to see me messing.</s>PHILLIPS: Playing back there adjusting. OK. No problem, we got you. What's it like? What's happening?</s>PHILLIPS: All right, Jacqui, thanks. Straight ahead, a diabetic man out for a stroll in a cornfield with his trusty pets finds out how trusty they really are.</s>BILL BURNS, SAVED BY HIS DOGS: It's got to be just fate. Or faith. One or the other.</s>PHILLIPS: Fate or faith? Butch or Dusty? What saved Bill Burns' life? You decide in today's animal adventure later on LIVE FROM.