A Day with Friend Thom

Saturday 17 November 2001
6:29 pm  Dave and I visited Brian from 6 to 7:30 this morning, before we came home. He slept pretty well but awoke at 4-4:30 am again, so he was sitting up awake in his room, with the lights out, when we came in. We were greeted with a big grin. We spent much of the time talking about how long he'd been in the coma and all the benchmarks that occurred over the last six weeks. I have certain dates circled, and we went over and over what happened and when. Brian's short term memory is not functioning well, so multiple repetitions are necessary - and he still forgets. His concept of time is also impaired (the passage of time). But he asks a lot of questions, wants to be "forward and truthful". We told him we would be gone today and tonight, but back tomorrow. He didn't want us gone, but said also, "I'm fine without you." When I said I need breakfast, he responded, "Go get comfortable!" He kissed my lips and hand, and Dave's lips, when we left.
(Although the short term memorty has improved somewhat, depending on the items to remember and the repetitions, it will never be normal and Brian still has no concept of the passage of time.)
Thom called with a report of the day. He got to spend time with Brian this morning. They played catch, looked at the cards and 8 x 10 prototypes from Eric, and Thom got to stay for PT. During the PT session, the therapist tried to get Brian to stand but he wasn't very interested. 
When Brian looks at the card and 8 x 10, it's new each time and he gets very excited. Thom put the 8 x 10 on the wall and was talking about how this could be the beginning of Brian's art career. Brian burst out, "Thank you, heart attack!"
When it was rest time, from 11 to 1, Brian argued a bit, but Thom had to leave.
At 1 pm, Alana and Marc went in. Thom showed at 2 pm, and Matt was in the Waiting Room. Thom called in, Nurse Tom said folks could go in, so Marc came out and got Matt. Then Max Young and his dad came, and went in to see Brian (Max's dad wanted to meet Brian). Max, Alana, Matt and Marc stayed until after 4, when Thom went in and the others left. Marc and Thom worked on some calendar/memory stuff with Brian, until Marshall arrived after 5 pm. Brian was also drawing on his shorts. When Thom left, Brian was "really happy".
Dave and Brian this morning:
D: "Who's the president?"
B: "Clinton"
D: "That WAS the president. We have a new one we made fun of."
B: "Bush!"
11/18  10:18 am  Thom reported that Marshall arrived last evening at 5:30. Last night, Nurse Tom allowed Marc, Vanessa and Ahsa to visit till 9:15, when Thom had them leave. Brian protested: "I'm not tired!", but 1 1/2 pages into Alice in Wonderland, he was asleep.