The family of Makayla Noble, the Texas cheerleader who was left paralyzed after suffering severe spinal cord injury, has posted another update about the condition of the teen, who is now on a ventilator at night and receiving oxygen in the day.
The 16-year-old Prosper resident was hospitalized in the city of Plano following a freak tumbling accident, which left her paralyzed from the chest down and unable to move her hands.
But in addition to being treated for her spinal cord injury, Noble has also been struggling with lung problems and has required the use of a ventilator at times.
Read more
Rabid Fox Bites Florida Woman in Front of Children
Unvaccinated 20-Year-Old Dies of COVID Complications After Abscess Ruptures
Why Rabies Is so Deadly As First Death Recorded in Illinois After 67 Years
On Sunday, medical staff at the hospital took Noble off the ventilator after noticing an improvement in her condition.
But the family said on Monday that the medical team had decided to put her back on the device.
"We are feeling some disappointment today as things have not gone as we'd hoped," the family said in a Facebook post Monday.
"Makayla's left lung is partially deflated again and her medical team has decided to put her back on the ventilator, install a PEG (feeding tube) for nutrition, and also put in a tracheotomy tube to suction her lungs and keep the left lung from drooping. Mak needs all of her prayer Warriors to come together and pray for healing!"
On Tuesday, the family posted another update on Facebook saying that the injured teen had made some progress again.
"There's not a lot of change to report today, but Mak is slowly making good progress. She was able to participate in physical therapy today...for the first time in three days. Her fever is gone and her white blood cell count is dropping. All good things that help her move towards rehab," the family said.
"For now she is receiving oxygen during the day and going on the ventilator at night to allow for more rest/healing."
A GoFundMe page was set up by a family friend of the Nobles, Tiffany Smith has as of Wednesday morning raised more than $159,000 to help with the cheerleader's medical expenses.
"The Noble family is so grateful for the outpouring of love they have received over the last week through messages, cards, prayers offered up, meals delivered, and contributions to the GoFundMe campaign," Smith previously told Newsweek. "This is an unexpected chapter in her life, but it doesn't end here. She's just getting started!"
A Facebook group set up by the family to share updates about Noble's condition now has more than 29,000 members.
"The response from our local community here in North Texas and the cheer community around the world has been incredible," Smith said. "There are so many friends, family, and total strangers offering to support the Noble family in their time of need."
Makayla Noble (center left) with fellow cheerleaders. Noble was left paralyzed after a freak tumbling accident.Makayla Noble (center left) with fellow cheerleaders. Noble was left paralyzed after a freak tumbling accident.Tiffany Smith
