Friday 28 December 2001
Brian and Mom walked on the bike path today, in the cold. Brian had OT and PT in the afternoon. Dave, Brian, and Mom watched "Conflict Resolution - Small World", the video of plays that Suzi (Aufderheide) gave Martha for Mother's Day, 1990. It features Brian and Jesse prominently. Sara Golden called from Pennsylvania again!
I remember that frosty bike path walk. I was worried that Brian might slip and fall, and he finally told me to stop being so jumpy about it. He was amused at my nervousness. I was like that for a long time, concerned that he could fall or get injured in some other way and I would lose him.
Suzi was a long-time friend who took care of Brian and Jesse when I worked full-time. She was beginning to get into video production, and did these wonderful plays and activities with her kids and the others who were there, and filmed them. I only have a VHS version of the film mentioned, or I would try to add it here.
Saturday 29 December 2001
Brian and Dave walked the bike path to shop at Bi Mart, and had burgers at Goodtimes. Mom, Brian, and Dave walked to and through downtown. We saw Cheyenne, Nick, Nate Orf, and others, and visited the Green Man and Plaza Cafe. max visited and brought Brian a Pink Floyd poster. They put it up in Brian's room. Jesse called, and Brian talked to him.
As you can see, we did a lot of walking. It helped Brian in many ways: coordination, balance, vision - and speech and cognition, because walking and talking helped him stutter less and kept his brain active. The physical activity helped stimulate his brain, and work it harder so he could focus more.
The Green Man, as I may have mentioned before, was the coffee shop above Bloomsbury Books downtown, where Brian and I used to meet. The Plaza Cafe was where he had worked.
Obviously, Ashland is a very walk-friendly town, which was perfect for us with Brian.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Our Visit Continues
Wednesday 26 December 2001
Brian and Mom walked to the Library today, to check out books for Brian to start reading out loud. Brian had all three therapies this afternoon, which Mom attended with him.
In the evening we had a wild little pizza party with Kate, Vanessa Dudley and Marc. Lots of pictures! Sara Golden called from her boyfriends' in Pennsylvania!
In order to help Brian return to reading and practice speech, we thought reading aloud would be helpful.
His three therapies were speech, physical and occupational.
I will publish photos from this time later.
Thursday 27 December 2001
Brian and Mom walked up to the high school today, so he could walk through the Quad, and had tea at the Roasting Co. on 8th Street. Brian spent the afternoon with his dad. Marc and Kate visited in the evening.
The Quad is the area outside where the kids hang out. It's like the indoors Commons at schools like South Kitsap. The Roasting Co. is the coffee place down the street where the kids, and others, like to hang out. There is an open campus, so the students can go there for lunch. When Brian and Jesse were little, it was a little corner grocery store. It's only a block from our house, and the boys used to walk there to buy treats.
Here's a link to the high school website:
http://www.ashland.k12.or.us/sectionindex.asp?sectionid=41
A link to the Roasting Co.:
http://ashlandcoffee.com/
Brian and Mom walked to the Library today, to check out books for Brian to start reading out loud. Brian had all three therapies this afternoon, which Mom attended with him.
In the evening we had a wild little pizza party with Kate, Vanessa Dudley and Marc. Lots of pictures! Sara Golden called from her boyfriends' in Pennsylvania!
In order to help Brian return to reading and practice speech, we thought reading aloud would be helpful.
His three therapies were speech, physical and occupational.
I will publish photos from this time later.
Thursday 27 December 2001
Brian and Mom walked up to the high school today, so he could walk through the Quad, and had tea at the Roasting Co. on 8th Street. Brian spent the afternoon with his dad. Marc and Kate visited in the evening.
The Quad is the area outside where the kids hang out. It's like the indoors Commons at schools like South Kitsap. The Roasting Co. is the coffee place down the street where the kids, and others, like to hang out. There is an open campus, so the students can go there for lunch. When Brian and Jesse were little, it was a little corner grocery store. It's only a block from our house, and the boys used to walk there to buy treats.
Here's a link to the high school website:
http://www.ashland.k12.or.us/sectionindex.asp?sectionid=41
A link to the Roasting Co.:
http://ashlandcoffee.com/
Thursday, June 27, 2013
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.
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 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
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 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.
Monday, June 24, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
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.
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