Christmas Day 2001

Tuesday 25 December 2001
We opened gifts in the morning with Mary and Terry. Mom took lots of pictures. Max, his mom Mary, and David Voeller visited in the morning. Mary and Terry left in the early afternoon. Jesse called, and Brian got to talk with him.
Dave, Mom and Brian went to a dinner party on Diane Street, at the home of Thom Little's friend, David Hoye. Thom was also there.Brian decided that Thom and David are lovers (he constantly asks why Thom has no girlfriend), and called David "Guillermo" (Brian's older brother Jeff's partner's name). It was the joke of the night (and months to come). Also attending the party was Reagan Burrell, who brought us gifts, but left before we got there. She gave Brian a card and one of her favorite stories, written by David James Duncan.
A woman named Dee was also there, and spent a lot of time talking with Brian.
Brian was very hyper and perseverating more than usual. He also overate (there was a great deal of food) and almost threw up. he realized he had eaten too much and stopped, then spent some time in the bathroom until his stomach settled. He had a good time at the party.

The overeating was something we had to monitor until Brian became more aware of his body's signals. Since it was connected to the perserveration, that behavior had to subside as well. Over time, it has. He still has some obsessive behaviors, but not like then.
The hyperactivity was a result of so much stimulation: people, music, food, play. We all had to learn how to monitor this. Again, it subsided over time. 

Brian opening gifts; wearing his new cap; with David (in hat) and Max

Christmas Eve

Monday 24 December 2001   
Mary and Terry arrived to celebrate Christmas with us. They stayed in the Royal Suite, the big room in front of our little part of the Cottage. We all went to The House of Thai for dinner.
Brian visited Marshall and Kellie for a Christmas celebration and gift-opening. He got a great watch that has the day and date on it.

The watch was the first in a long line of such timepieces. This is the only way Brian can keep track of the day and date.

Stay tuned for Christmas and photos!

Brian Stays with Mom and Dave

Friday 21 December 2001
Brian had Outpatient Therapy.
In the evening, Brian came to stay with Mom and Dave at 868 'A' Street. Dave was on the Greensprings for the day and night. Brian and Mom put up Christmas stuff, watched a little video/tv.
Brian got to have his bedtime story, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!

Saturday 22 December 2001
Brian and Mom walked around the old neighborhood and past 84 Emerick (where he grew up). They put up Christmas lights and decorations, too. Brian settled into his room: he has the single bedroom, which opens into the living room/kitchen area in front. Mom and Dave sleep on the futon in the living room. The bathroom is next to Brian's room at the end of the hall. (Dave and I used the bedroom when Brian was not there).
Dave arrived and everyone watched the Marx Brothers. It was difficult for Brian to follow.
Marshall called in the evening. He did so daily through December.

Sunday 23 December 2001
Today Kate Lewis, David Voeller and Marc Likens visited. Kate is in town for the holidays. Laurie Grupe, a teacher at Pinehurst School, brought a basket of goodies, including: teas, a handmade Christmas "spray" of evergreens, dried flowers, two handmade ornaments, tangerines, sweets and candles. 
Brian and Dave took a long walk.

Dave had gone up to our place on the Greensprings to do some work and check on things. 
Pinehurst is the little school up there, attached to the "town" of Lincoln. I used to substitute there, for Laurie as well as the other two teachers. I had been there on 9/11.

This is a photo of Brian with Kate Lewis when she visited.

Brian's Pages of Information

These are from Brian's Memory Book from Providence.
Notice his correction of the words "Heart Attack". Once we realized the proper term, Brian always made sure to correct anyone who used the improper language. They are different  types of events.
The list of Phone Numbers is written by Brian in post-cardiac arrest handwriting.

Mid-December 2001

There are no notes for December 16th, which probably means there was nothing written on the calendar at Marshall's that day. I know I talked to Brian on the phone, as usual.

I am going to combine a few days in this entry, since they are shorter. I will also include another short page of the "About Brian" information pages from when he was in Providence. 

Thank you for sticking with me while I work my way through this. Now that summer is here, I will have more time to complete the journals. The format will change after that.

Monday 17 December 2001

Kellie arranged for meditation lessons, and yoga, for Brian, for calming and focus. Today was the first (and probably only) lesson/session with Barbara Lee, a local astrologer. Brian has several "affirmation" sheets, as a result of this, written by Kellie. One reads, "I gives thanks for my perfect health now." (It was the only one that survived, until July).

Brian had his first Outpatient Therapy sessions today.

Tuesday 18 December 2001

Brian had another cranial-sacral session today. He also had a check-up with Dr. Dee Christlieb. It was the first time Dee had seen Brian since October 8th.

Marshall and Brian visited Ali Gardiner today. Max Young and Casey Galusha visited, as did Marc Likens.

Wednesday 19 December 2001

HOME ONE WEEK!

Brian had Outpatient Therapy today, and an appointment with Dr. Gary Foster.

Brian went for two walks "around the block", one with Marshall and one with Randy Fitzpatrick.

Thursday 20 December 2001

Brian had cranial-sacral therapy with Dr. Wedlake again today.

Brian walked and got his own breakfast (cereal).

He had visitors in the evening, and visited Mom and Dave.

At dinner at Marshall and Kellie's, Brian ate too much food and threw up. He perseverates with food, forgetting how much he has eaten, and needs to be monitored.