10/8/01

October 8, 2012
This diary was started by my sister, Mary Kathryn Stafford, upon her arrival in Ashland. She had kept a similar diary when a friend was hospitalized after a terrible accident in which he was hit by a car. She kept this one until turning it over to me on October 16th.
I am going to quote the diary verbatim in these entries, with commentary as I go.
I want to mention that on October 6th, 2001, Brian attended the Homecoming Dance at Ashland High School. When I saw him on the 7th, it was at a screening of a film by my friend Marilyn Zornado, at the Ashland Film Festival. The film was "Insect Poetry". Brian was quieter than usual that afternoon, and seemed distressed.

Monday, October 8, 2001
Brian went into cardiac arrest at approx. 2 pm while at a park with friends. 911 was called, rescue breathing administered. Transport to Ashland hospital, transfer to Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford. Estimated without oxygen 5-10 minutes - residual effects unknown at this time. In Cardiac Care Unit in coma. Approx. 2 doz. students from high school vigil all night - break all rules to show support - pizza, cell phones, singing.
Alana, Mark L, Ahsa, Chelsea, Jessica D., Duncan, David S., Ayal, David V., Bubby, Vanessa D., stayed night.
Alana, Max, David V., Mark L. in car to this hospital initially. Marshall in ambulance. Reesa, Jessica E., Evan, Jacob, Duncan, Joel, Randy, Max, David V., to Ashland Hospital initially. Max Y, Duncan, Evan, Joel Crumme, Jessica E, Risa w/B @ Park. Jacob came during. 
Martha, Dave, Marshall, Kellie here - of course. Marshall and Kellie went home at night.
Dr. Foster - cardiologist    Dr. Sullivan - neurologist

I received a frantic call from Kellie around 2:15 -2:30, informing me that Brian had gone into arrest and was at the hospital. She kept telling me to remain calm. I was, albeit shocked and scared. I grabbed my purse, got in my 4runner, and drove as fast as I could down Corral Creek Road to the highway, and thence to the worksite a mile or so away where Dave was building Leon Kincaid's house with Tony Henthorn and others. I ran up to them, explained briefly, and Dave jumped in the driver's seat for the 25 mile drive into town. We held hands and hoped.
At Ashland Community Hospital I found a group of Brian's friends. The only one I remember is Randy Fitzpatrick, but I think Risa Roberts, Jessica Erickson and Max Young were there, and others. behind a curtain in a small room was my son on a gurney, quivering and having oxygen pumped into him by hand. I put my arms across the shoulders of Kellie and Marshall and we stood there, watching Brian fight for his life, his body  in spasms on that table.
Reese Jones drove the ambulance to Rogue Valley. Marshall sat in back with the oxygen pump, squeezing life into our son. I rode in the passenger seat, trying to keep calm. It was getting harder.
Brian was placed in the Cardiac Care Unit and we began a vigil that lasted for days. That night his art teacher, Marc Schoenleber, joined the rest of us with is guitar. Two of the girls snuck in at around 2 am and painted Brian's toenails purple - all but the one with the oxygen monitor. 
It is mostly a blur but I remember all the wonderful kids who stayed the night. The energy in that ICU waiting room was remarkable and filled with love.