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Deftones bassist Chi Cheng has been in a vegetative state for the last 18 months since suffering injuries from a car accident back in November of 2008. But doctors are now saying that Cheng is showing improvement.

Dr, Joseph Nguyen, who has been performing routine checkups on Cheng, recently wrote in his notes that the bassist was “showing signs of improved neuro function and improved alertness at this time. Increased response to verbal stimuli. Directed movement, with purpose, seen and observed” (via Blabbermouth).

Cheng’s sister, Mae, even said that when Nguyen walked into the room for the checkup, “he took one look at Dai [Cheng] and was floored. He couldn’t believe it. He saw a man waking up.”

Cheng is also under the care of Dr. DeFina and Dr. Jonathan Fellus. DeFina is the chief scientific officer and the founder of the International Brain Research Foundation. He was the one who first provided Cheng with the medications and electrical stimuli to help him wake up from his coma. DeFina has an 84% success rate with waking up patients that are in vegetative or minimally awake states.

While this is good news, there’s still a long way for Cheng to go which means funds are still needed to support the cost of his hospital bills. The website OneLoveForChi.com is where you can go to donate what you can towards Chi or to just leave messages of support for him. Gina Blackmore, a representative from the website, said that they’re trying to reach a goal of $500,000 to cover the $2,000-per-day cost of staying at the hospital for another 3-6 months.

Tags: Chi Cheng, Deftones