Community

Tuesday 23 October 2001
An uneven night - a lot of stretching movements throughout, according to Dave. Aware of voices. Responded to bright light by opening eyes, then closing tight. Lungs much clearer. Had a bath.
10:25 am Tracheostomy went well. Back in room at 9:15. Some coughing/gagging, grimaces when he swallows. Upper lip very swollen, sores inside. Great to see his face! Trach is oozing; lots of drooling. Nurse Penny. set up suction on right side so we can help with ooze and drool.
Foster and Fennel visited this morning. Brian frowned when Foster called out his name and asked him to open eyes. The green spiral notebook we've all been writing in has been missing since Sunday - everyone has been looking, upset. (I had forgotten all about this! I think one of the kids brought it in, and we would write messages to Brian.) MK called early. Eric Warren (who did the printed self-portrait) called after trach; offered help w/fundraising.
4:35  Alana is with Brian. He has cards from Claudia and David Eliason (old friends of Marshall's and mine; Claudia was Jesse's godmother), and Deena from the Europe trip. Delia (of Gary and...) and Rob Hirschboeck visited. (Delia and Gary were from the Greensprings community. Rob was a poet friend of Dave's and mine) A neighbor of Wayne's Joy, is going to do an endurance horseback ride as a fundraiser. Eric Warren of Rogue Design Group wants to help with fundraising. Uncle Mike visited Brian. Mary Duhaime visited.
(Mike was Mike Gardiner, husband of Marshall's sister. Mary was a college friend of Marshall's).
6:04 pm  Spent about 40 minutes with Brian. Put up new cards, read him poem from Kailey Freeman. (Classmate, daughter of a local musician). Peaceful, a little coughing, eyes open a bit, working mouth. Looks much better.
12:25 am  Peaceful afternoon, except for slight fever. Could be from surgery; body fighting. Blood cultures being done. Trach less oozy. Tylenol and morphine for fever. Heartrate 80-82 when I was there tonight. Was awake a bit earlier, but asleep by 11 pm when I got in (visiting with Delia).
Max finally got to see him tonight - Rosemary took him in. He and I visited quite a while.
Faye visited Waiting Room w/oatmeal cookies during the day.

October 23, 2012
All those wonderful people! Rosemary who was there so much, Faye who came with goodies. Little Kailey Freeman, who was actually younger than Brian but knew him. So many who put in time and energy and love. Community. That's what it is about.