Standing!

Friday 9 November 2001
10:25 pm  Another great, busy day for Brian. HE STOOD UP TWICE, with the help of two physical therapists. Dave was there! he is stiff (tone from the coma) and wobbly, but he did it. HUGE step. His height amazed the PTs. And tonight another big step: brian was able to track several people and activities in his room at once: Dave and Nurse Jeff; Alana, Abby and I; plus Vic the RT. Brian was goofing with his breathing treatment tube, as though it was a big cigar (he can hold it in his mouth alone, using his hand or not, and it being a cigar or pipe is a running joke). When we left tonight, I had already said "good night", Alana was with Brian, and Dave was saying "good night" much earlier than usual to a VERY lively, alert Brian. Brian started crying, as though he thought Dave was abandoning him. He also said "I love you" back at Dave. We are leaving for a day and night at home, tomorrow morning. 
This morning Brian was in his chair when I went in, looking out the window. He was much more awake and happy. He had the Josie puppy and was holding it close and stroking it. I brought in some childhood photos and he smiled big at one of he and Jesse playing with their Sega Genesis when they first got it. Linda came in and so did Kellie, so I left for a while. I cut his fingernails.
Later, Dave and I went in together. Brian did well with 2-3 people with him, but the OT Karen wanted to work alone with him. She has him working with color recognition, using colored, wooden beads. He also did some drawing of shape son the white board. When I went in afterwards, he set aside the board, capped the pen, and wanted to do his usual sideways, legs up position in the bed. So I removed the side rail in the right side, he swung his legs over that way, and we played "Kick and Push Mom" while he looked at pictures of he and Jesse - specifically one of them with Randy when Randy and Brian were about two - three. he was amused at being allowed to kick and push me.
Kellie brought toys: Big colorful plastic pop-beads, a teething ring (Brianis chewing on everything), bike handle grips to keep his hands busy, a nesting barrel (like he and Jesse had), and a Rubic's Cube (again, a childhood toy).
Brian was trying to poke his thumb through, and peel apart, his Nerf basketball this morning.
Jennifer the nurse fed Brian pear sauce.

(The infant-toddler stage, with sensory-stimulating toys, being fed soft foods, chewing on things, learning to stand and speak. Brian growing up all over again.)

Brian had speech therapy this afternoon.
Brian said "Jennifer", "Martha", and "Dave". he has been trying to talk a lot all day, but it is still difficult and possibly embarrassing.
Aunt Linda left today. Aunt Mary and Uncle Terry arrived. Darby, Abby and Alana visited. Chris and David came to the hospital. Jimmy and Rosemary are coming this weekend. Dave and I are going home tomorrow.