"We now have to wait. Over the next week or two, we could see her wake up slowly, or she could even wake up suddenly in the next day or two. There's no way of knowing what will happen, but the doctors are doing an awesome job.
"There are little improvements which come along, so we have to see that as being very positive."
Ayla was stable enough for an MRI scan on Tuesday.
"While there [is] some pooled blood on her brain, her brain is not actually bleeding," Nora said. "It's too early to tell whether there is any damage to the brain stem or how much damage there might be overall."
Nora had been helping friends and family maintain a bedside vigil before returning to Canada this week.
Alana Madill's parents, Ruth and Darrell, and sister, Brenna, remain in Montpellier overseeing Ayla's condition.
Fellow former All Blacks Tana Umaga, who is also Collins' cousin, and Chris Masoe are among a group of family and friends who will bring Collins' body back to New Zealand today ahead of a private family service tomorrow.
Nora and Darrell Madill will also head to New Zealand next week in support of the Collins family.
"We just want to do whatever we can to be by their side and help them through this process," she said.
"It's a shame the first time I will go to New Zealand will be in this circumstance."
Madill said it was "absolutely awesome" an online crowd-funding page set up in New Zealand for Ayla had raised $35,000 in six days.
Timeline
Today: Jerry Collins' body arrives in New Zealand. A public march will be held at 2pm from Waitangirua Mall in Cannon's Creek to Norths Rugby Club in Porirua, Collins' former side.
Monday: Norths Rugby Club will hold a private service for the rugby star's family and friends.
Wednesday: Collins will be farewelled at a public funeral at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua at 10am.
