TRANSPLANT PATIENT BETTER

Eight-year old Jalisa Durham of Cape Girardeau is breathing without help four days after receiving a double-lung transplant at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

A hospital spokesperson said Thursday morning Durham was taken off the ventilator that has controlled her breathing all week. She remains listed in serious condition in the pediatric intensive care unit but may be moved to a regular unit today.

Durham received the transplant to treat a condition developed as a result of cystic fibrosis. The condition was potentially-fatal.

"She's breathing on her own, and that's a good sign," said Durham's grandmother, Regina Jones, also of Cape Girardeau. "The sedation is wearing off, so right now she's in and out, but they said she was doing good."