Coming Up for Air

Friday 19 October 2001
7:37 am  No change. Heartrate in low 80s -up into 90s, except for coughing spell. Marc here sleeping; came in with Dave around 2:30. Dave and I are both noticing that (B's) left eye seems to open and focus more than right. 
9:05 I spent an hour with him. Groggy, in and out. Eyes open off and on, halfway. Looked me in the eye a bit. (A strangely reptilian gaze, I remember) Being prepared for PEG at 10. Dad is in with him. I am going to sleep again. Nurse tested reflexes. Eyes dilated but wouldn't open on command (needs familiar voice?) Responded to fingertip squeeze by withdrawing/curling fingers. No response to toe and foot stimuli.
4:11 pm Pulmonologist went in (scope) to check out lungs : some gunk still in very far corner of right lung. Went in around 3:15 pm. PEG tube procedure went fine. Brian sedated for both procedures. Opened eyes and looked at Rosemary - first time for her! 
(These early gazes were reminiscent of newborn Brian first observing his world)
6:20 pm Visited Brian half an hour. Quiet, drugged most of time. Heartrate 81-85. Brething same. PEG in place. Hands still unrestrained. Opened eyes a little bit. Face looks great with his nose free again. Yawned a bunch - obviously irritated by stuff still down throat.
Wayne (Fitzpatrick, Randy's dad), Alana, Max, David, Chris visited. Alana staying late. Marc still here. Jesse called - had his first nearly-normal day today (able to concentrate in school).
10 pm Brian's eyes are half open and he is tracking me. Relaxed. Heartrate at 98. Breathing up a bit at 25 (w/2 assists per minute). His hands are tied because he was lifting his arms earlier when they were re-taping breathing tube. PEG is fine. Brahms on cd player: something quiet. Nurse Anna noticing "lightening".
Kate called this evening. Tony Henthorn visited at Cheney House. Justin Hall and Sarah Golden visited, and Alana was here. Justin and Sarah couldn't get in to see Brian.
12:45 am Eyes open till about 11:30, when he finally conked. Some "posturing" (stretching? awakening?), yawning. Seemed close to surface, scared. Talked him through. Heartrate went up to 105 and went down quickly. Breathing was heavy, took a little longer. Marc and Alana with him.