Wife: Sago Miner 'In A Fog'

The sole survivor of the Sago Mine disaster remains "in a fog," but is interacting with family members about a third of the time, his wife said.

Randal McCloy Jr. has said a few words and is connecting with relatives through his eyes, sounds, movements and facial expressions, according to his wife, Anna.

"It's like he's in a fog and this fog has to disappear," she told USA Today for a story in Thursday's editions. "As it disappears little by little, more pieces of Randy come through."

McCloy, 26, was part of a 13-member crew that was trapped in Upshur County's Sago Mine after an explosion Jan. 2. The crew was exposed to deadly carbon monoxide for more than 41 hours, and all but McCloy had died by the time searchers found them.

He was treated for kidney, lung, liver and heart damage, and now undergoes two hours of physical therapy and one hour of speech therapy daily at a rehabilitation hospital.

McCloy is showing progress, moving his limbs, tugging his hair and making "purposeful movements," said Dr. Russ Biundo, medical director of HealthSouth Mountain View, where McCloy is being treated.

"These movements show his nervous system is reconnecting. Obviously, I want more," Biundo told the newspaper.

Anna McCloy also said her husband left a letter for his wife and children that he wrote before he was rescued. The letter, found in the lunch box of another miner, said he was not afraid of death and that his family should not grieve for long.

"Anna, I love you so much. To my son, trust in the Lord. To my daughter, stay sweet," Anna McCloy recited from the letter. "Don't grieve long. I want you to be happy in life."