Thursday

I managed to get to RIM in time to watch quite a bit of therapy. I was an assistant on the strong side of Brians body as he walked (still wobbly) a total of 150 feet. He moves so fast! Amy held his weak side...she's about 5ft. nuthin'. I don't know how these tiny little women hold up these big people. He did some pedalling and we worked on transfers from wheelchair to the car, the shower, the toilet. I helped him, by myself, to transfer to the "commode". He lists a bit like a tall sapling and I was amazed at how heavy he felt. After two transfers he told Sarah he had to use the toilet and all went well so that was a great thing. He also had ultrasound treatment on his shoulder. Robyn was there for a lot of the time and was amazed by him. She brought us some food. He had a pizza in his lunch tray and devoured it. Robyn left, Stacey arrived! Around this time, Salva and Christy showed up for speech. They were asking him problem solving questions...If you ate a meal at a restaurant and realized that you forgot your money at home,,,what 2 different things could you do to solve the problem. Most of the questions were real thinkers. At the end of the session, Christy asked him what the date was. He answered, the 22nd. What month,,,March. The 2 women just about fell off their chairs. This was the first time that he remembered the date without just being told. He also remembered the names of all of his therapists when I asked him that morning. He remembers who his Dr. is and who Ali (another therapist) is. He and Ali have a great, funny relationship going on. Lots of teasing and laughing and "Ahnold Schwartzenegger" talk. Dr. Rabe (aka Dr. Babe) actually brought a group of doctors to meet Brian in the gym because he is so funny. He is definately the comic relief for a lot of people there. Everyone who walks past his room comes in to say hi, what's my name, how you doing, remember me? One popular dude! So, obviously, we also talked and laughed a lot.
Stacey and I left after he devoured his hamburger. He was on his way to watching a movie on the 7th floor with his sitter. Gotta keep him busy. Rachel talked to him on the phone the night before for an hour. I don't know how she did it. Her voice is interrupted every 5 seconds with coughing. Sure hope she's feeling better soon.
Brian asked constantly who has been visiting and where is his mail!! Salva is going to have him keep a journal of activities and visitor sign ins so the PRESSURE IS ON TO VISIT!!!! No, seriously, if you have not seen him in a while, you will not believe the change. Stacey could not stop shaking her head. He will lift your spirits with his humor...just ask the staff!
Off to work, Love, Marcy :)