Speech Returns!

Wednesday 7 November 2001
7:30 am  Dave said that after I left last night, Brian was wide awake again, "riding a bike" in his bed. Brian likes to lay in bed and pump his legs or "walk" with his feet against the footboard. Great exercise! 
11:55 am  In Brian's room. Brian is sleeping. Penny said he got worn out by therapy and having his hair washed.
BRIAN IS BREATHING NORMALLY!!
They plugged his trach this morning and he is fine. Dave and I, and Dr. Fennel, were there when it was done. Brian coughed a bit, had to get used to it, but is fine. He talked just a little while we were there - said "Hi" and attempted other words. Said "Jesse" softly. It will be difficult re-learning, and his voice is croaky. He also needs to continue re-learning how to swallow. We had our meeting with Dr. Solomon: Marshall, Kellie, Linda, Penny, Dave and I. Brian is ready for Providence Re-Hab! They will have am opening for him next week. Areas to work on are memory and emotional connections, coordination, balance. 
M,K and L went immediately into Brian's room, though Dave and I weren't done, so Dave and I went to Providence. We got a tour, met with Christie who works with coordinating services. M, K and L arrived while we were there, but we didn't all meet together. The facility looks great: lots of therapy, less restrictive visiting (as long as it doesn't interfere), private room, prep for going home. "Going home" could mean anything by the time Brian is ready: he will be 18 and independent.
Re-hab could be six week to three months, at Providence. In total, it will be a year or more. 
Current HR: 74   Respiration: 23
4:25 pm  Brian woke up while I was with him and I mostly left him alone. He woke slowly and I let him be; then he just seemed to want me to leave him alone. Karen the OT came in so I left. Penny told me Brian counted to ten aloud for Karen, and said his name.
6:25 pm  Brian ate a small bowl of pudding and drank some juice (from a straw and from the cup)!! Marshall saw it! Marshall brought some of Brian's t-shirts and Brian chose one to wear. Marshall also brought a photo album with Homecoming photos, and Alana put in photos she took of friends at school. Brian loves these photos. he looked at them with Alana and mostly ignored me. He seemed to be tired of me today. He did NOT want Alana to leave. (All of this was a normal response by him: interest in peers, in his life, wanting to be alone with his girlfriend)
I need to bring in photos of home and of childhood for Brian to look at in the album.
Linda is trying to help work out conflict.
Lila visited (Waiting Room). (school friend)
The trach may be downsized again very soon. (This had to be done gradually so that he would have such a huge hole to heal)
9:20 pm Brian went for a ride in the Cadillac Chair this evening! Nurse Bruce brought him out to the balcony, then on a tour through 3 West (where he was "living") Ali, Ashley Fence, Dave and I went along. When Bruce asked Brian if he was getting cold, Brian said "Yes" (when outside). Ali and Ashley spent time with Brian in the room. Brian danced in his chair! When I went in to say goodnight, Brian and I leaned head to head, looked in one another's eyes, and he took my left hand and held it a long time, then lifted it and kissed my index finger.
Bonded.