"This is a GOOD circle!"

Thursday 15 November 2001
9:35 pm  Dave and Thom spent several hours with Brian today., till PT at 1 pm. I was busy elsewhere. I did go in and watch them play 3-way catch with Brian, who threw accurately, and caught the little basketball 2-handed and one-handed. After lunch (thin liquids at last : iced tea, his request!) he asked me to bring the wedding photos again, because he had been talking about Jesse and Jamie's wedding and writing them an anniversary note. He knew their anniversary, June 25th! 
Brian remembers knowing "Happy Birthday"! He asked Dave if he remembered singing it, and Dave had no clue. But I was there, and told Brian what happened! It was my first REAL inkling of his awareness, and HIS first waking memory!
In response to how does talking feel? "It feels like it gets caught on my lips like biting into something." (Note by Dave)
Dave and Thom did some calendar work with Brian. Dave drew an October calendar on the white board.
Brian ate a huge lunch of French bread, Swedish meatballs and noodles, raspberry jello - all his requests. Word went around school that he wants everyone to know that he's awake, so Evan, Chris and Max Young came this afternoon. They all got to visit and Brian was thrilled. He was finishing lunch when I old him, and he started hurrying - "I want to see my friends!" He gave Evan and Max hugs (I saw them).
Later, Alana came with randy, Andy, Vanessa and David. When Alana and randy came in, Brian wanted them to sit and listen to Alice in Wonderland, which Dave was reading. They didn't want to, so they visited with Brian instead. (We should let Brian decide what he wants to do and who he wants to see, as much as possible). 
Alana got ALL of them in there, and while they were all gathered around him, Brian said, "This is a GOOD circle!"
This evening, Josh Romberg, Bubby, Alana and Randy visited (Max stayed in the Waiting Room). Brian was very happy and began relaying "memories": Josh got hit in the head (by a soccer ball?) and suffered a brain injury and "took a long time to die". Alana got a bad nosebleed. (Are these dreams? Projections?) At one point I mentioned that he would have to be left alone (by the kids) to sleep, and Brian scoffed and said, "I've been sleeping for four days!"
When Dave had to stop reading, he told Brian I would be back to continue the story. "Good!" said Brian. He was very happy to see me each time today, and gave me a kiss tonight when I came in. Earlier in the afternoon, he said he wanted give everybody "big hugs'. Some time early this morning, Brian tried to climb out of bed, "to go find the shower". Dave and I were falsely accused of trying to teach him to climb out of bed.
Brian often mimics or repeats what others say. Important not to feed him words.
Tonight Brian shot a hoop after the kids left and he got his meds, and was DONE. He was asleep a little after nine; I read some of Alice.
The Sadie Hawkins Dance at the school is now scheduled for December 8th or 9th. Dave, Thom and I will be chaperones, and Dave and I will speak (or just I will). We will find more adults, too. New visiting schedules: Marshall wants 7:30a - 9:30a, and 4:30p - 6:30p. We'll see how it goes. I will miss my early morning time, but I can handle it.
No definitive answer regarding the possible infection in his shoulder. Dr. Martin thinks it's localized and the result of Brian picking at the sutures. He will check it again tomorrow. Brian has more antibiotics, "oral" (PEG tube) and topical. So Providence is put off again, till sometime next week.
Brian is not as fidgety. It usually comes when he has to "use the bathroom".
Robin called: Kate is due for Thanksgiving!
Brian recited all of "Steve Manos" today! (From Spanish class)