Family Waits for More Words After Surgery

Gary Dockery’s family watched at his bedside Friday for signs the lifesaving lung surgery he underwent won’t plunge him back into the unconscious state where he spent his last 7 1/2 years.

Dockery was alert but not speaking one day after surgeons removed infectious fluid from his lungs, said Dr. James Folkening, Dockery’s physician since the police officer was shot in the head in 1988.

A tube to assist Dockery’s breathing was removed from his throat Friday and he responded to family members when they spoke to him by moving his eyes and squeezing their hands. He also moved his arms and legs.

Dockery, 42, was taken to Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga on Sunday, dying of pneumonia. The family was given the choice of letting the pneumonia kill him or taking a chance on surgery.

Dockery had lived at a nursing home since his brain was damaged by a drunk man’s bullet.

The family was leaning toward letting his long suffering end when suddenly Monday he broke his 7 1/2 years of silence and went on a talking spree.

“Call it a miracle, call it a touch by great God’s great hand,” said Dockery’s brother, Dennis.

Dockery fought doctors urging him to sleep, but eventually he rested. After that, he only spoke phrases or one-word responses.

The family felt they should give him a fighting chance to talk again, so they permitted the surgery Thursday even though they knew it could plunge him back into unconsciousness.

Even if he never speaks again, Dennis Dockery said he was thankful for getting one more day with his brother.

“Most people don’t get this opportunity. We are so thankful,” he said.