Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Brian's surgery a success!
Brian is home from the hospital, after staying a mere 2 nights. Here are a few photos of him sleeping at the hospital post-surgery, and at home with his mum.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Oi!
Heyo peoples-o.Brian here, posting onn me own blog.How is things over in the world of people?dime lo!(tell me en es pan yole) This is my farst visit to me own little blog thing typing. Rock! How cool am I???????!!!! If you said "damn cool!, then you'd be right.I'm out now. Esta la ahora por el breakfasto.Anywhose, thanks many bunches for making me all internet famousy and stuff. I'm now more popular than AOL.FACT.You best respect. Yo. Visitors welcome.Waffle time!Ah dee ose.
Bernardo(mi nombre de espanol)
Bernardo(mi nombre de espanol)
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Update on Brian
Brian, Rachel, and Marcy were on the news last week! Copy and paste the WHOLE link below to view the report (both lines!). Or, you can go to www.myfoxdetroit.com and search the site for "brian beckett."
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=3814204
Well, Brian is improving in amazing ways. He is now able to walk on his own. Of course, he always has a little bee buzzing around him to make sure he doesn't trip (Marcy, Rachel, me), but he is strong and wheelchair-free! The next step for Brian (no pun intended) is his surgery on August 2. I don't have the details of the surgery but I know he will finally - God be praised - have his bone put back in his head. This should improve his balance, and it also means NO MORE HELMET! Brian has plans to go to his friend Chris's home for a helmet burning party. What a day that will be! Brian's eye sight is also improving. Marcy mentioned how he read small words on a water bottle, and I've seen him navigate a computer. His right arm is really strong now - Brian whipped a nerf football at his brother REALLY hard. I was impressed!
"For Brian's Benefit," a fundraiser at St. John Lutheran Church, took place last Friday, July 20. Brian came walking in to the amazement of many. If you can remember him at the bowling fundraiser, he was wheelchair-bound and needed to leave early. At this fundraiser, he was walking around a lot and stayed till the very end. That's at least 4 hours of socializing and being the center of attention. I do not know how much money was raised at this event, but I've heard rumblings and once again we must praise and thank God for the generosity and love of Brian's friends, family, and even complete strangers. I'll let Ben (my brother and one of the main event organizers) fill everyone in on the details of the fundraiser.
Prayer request: please pray for Brian's short-term memory to improve. This is something that bothers him, because he can't always remember what day it is today, or what he had for lunch. But there are signs of improvement because, for instance, he remembers going to see Harry Potter with Rachel (even if he can't remember the exact day it took place). Also pray for his left side to strengthen (arm, hand and eye).
-Kelly
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=3814204
Well, Brian is improving in amazing ways. He is now able to walk on his own. Of course, he always has a little bee buzzing around him to make sure he doesn't trip (Marcy, Rachel, me), but he is strong and wheelchair-free! The next step for Brian (no pun intended) is his surgery on August 2. I don't have the details of the surgery but I know he will finally - God be praised - have his bone put back in his head. This should improve his balance, and it also means NO MORE HELMET! Brian has plans to go to his friend Chris's home for a helmet burning party. What a day that will be! Brian's eye sight is also improving. Marcy mentioned how he read small words on a water bottle, and I've seen him navigate a computer. His right arm is really strong now - Brian whipped a nerf football at his brother REALLY hard. I was impressed!
"For Brian's Benefit," a fundraiser at St. John Lutheran Church, took place last Friday, July 20. Brian came walking in to the amazement of many. If you can remember him at the bowling fundraiser, he was wheelchair-bound and needed to leave early. At this fundraiser, he was walking around a lot and stayed till the very end. That's at least 4 hours of socializing and being the center of attention. I do not know how much money was raised at this event, but I've heard rumblings and once again we must praise and thank God for the generosity and love of Brian's friends, family, and even complete strangers. I'll let Ben (my brother and one of the main event organizers) fill everyone in on the details of the fundraiser.
Prayer request: please pray for Brian's short-term memory to improve. This is something that bothers him, because he can't always remember what day it is today, or what he had for lunch. But there are signs of improvement because, for instance, he remembers going to see Harry Potter with Rachel (even if he can't remember the exact day it took place). Also pray for his left side to strengthen (arm, hand and eye).
-Kelly
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Click Here to download and print the For Brian's Benefit RSVP Form
Follow this link to download the "For Brian's Benefit" RSVP Form. Hurry up and RSVP and space is limited and we are rapidly filling up!
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Whew! It's been awhile
Well, Greg is home and G & G have come and gone. It has been some time since I posted anything on this site. What a blast it was to have Gramma and Grandpa here for 3+ days. I think that's a record. They even got to come down to RIM to watch Brian in rehab action. Very nice! We all had a lovely Mothers Day full of food (Dad's ribs were the best) and people. Dan and Kathy and Julie were here too. Deb and Clyde came over early and went to church with us. It was such a nice day and so much fun to sit on the driveway and talk to Julie and Kelsey and Greg and Brian. Lots of laughter...the best medicine.
Today was the perfect day at rehab. Brian now sees Robbin (PT) first in the schedule. She had him doing balance exercises in the parallel bars, one and two leg presses on a piece of exercise equipment, another machine that strengthens the thigh, inner leg, and butt, and even more stuff on the stairway. She really pushed him, he did great,and she was thrilled. Next, he saw Jean (OT). They have such an easy rapport. She teases him and he teases right back. He worked with nerf balls...picking up and tossing them, a dowel that he stretches out and up with, and a "loop-de-loop" arch where he has to grasp a small piece of plastic and work it over a wire hump. There are 2 humps...one is smaller and the other one is very high. Jean only asks him to go over the smaller one but he was trying to do both of them on his own. He was successful about 80% of the time. Very tiring for both his arm and his brain. Last, he was with Tracy (speech and memory). She has him keeping a daily journal of everything that he does. Amazingly, he is getting better at his short term memory. Nothing huge but definately better. He knows that he keeps a journal and mentions it frequently. He can look at it to remember the day, date and important stuff. Like last Sunday, Chris came over with his 4 orphaned raccoon kits. How cute was that?!?!?! Kelsey and 2 of her girlfriends were also in on this and Justyne arrived soon enough to witness the cuteness too. Brian admitted that not only were the girls making squealy noises of joy, he was too! They really were SO adorable. Probably won't be cute for much longer so I'm glad that we had the opportunity to hold them. Maybe I can get a computer genius to put some pics on this blog. (Hint, hint Kelsey)
That's it for now...Love to all, Marcy :)
Today was the perfect day at rehab. Brian now sees Robbin (PT) first in the schedule. She had him doing balance exercises in the parallel bars, one and two leg presses on a piece of exercise equipment, another machine that strengthens the thigh, inner leg, and butt, and even more stuff on the stairway. She really pushed him, he did great,and she was thrilled. Next, he saw Jean (OT). They have such an easy rapport. She teases him and he teases right back. He worked with nerf balls...picking up and tossing them, a dowel that he stretches out and up with, and a "loop-de-loop" arch where he has to grasp a small piece of plastic and work it over a wire hump. There are 2 humps...one is smaller and the other one is very high. Jean only asks him to go over the smaller one but he was trying to do both of them on his own. He was successful about 80% of the time. Very tiring for both his arm and his brain. Last, he was with Tracy (speech and memory). She has him keeping a daily journal of everything that he does. Amazingly, he is getting better at his short term memory. Nothing huge but definately better. He knows that he keeps a journal and mentions it frequently. He can look at it to remember the day, date and important stuff. Like last Sunday, Chris came over with his 4 orphaned raccoon kits. How cute was that?!?!?! Kelsey and 2 of her girlfriends were also in on this and Justyne arrived soon enough to witness the cuteness too. Brian admitted that not only were the girls making squealy noises of joy, he was too! They really were SO adorable. Probably won't be cute for much longer so I'm glad that we had the opportunity to hold them. Maybe I can get a computer genius to put some pics on this blog. (Hint, hint Kelsey)
That's it for now...Love to all, Marcy :)
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Dr. Zamorano update
Yesterday, after therapizing, Brian, Rachel and I finally got to see Dr. Zamorano. She is the neurosurgeon who removed Brians bone flap and allowed his brain to swell safely. She was very pleased to see how well he is doing. She actually said that the swelling is gone and the "indent" is great. BUT...no surgery until after he is off of coumadin and no sooner than mid-June. Probably will talk to her again in late June or early July to set the surgery date. As long as he is no longer on blood thinners, the surgery can be scheduled quite quickly. She considers it an easy surgery. He would only be in the hospital overnight or 2 days. Once the bone is back, there is no need for the helmet from hell. It makes his head itch and is uncomfortable to sleep in. We can hardly wait!!!
Today is a beautiful day and we are going to take a stroll outside. Rachel comes back tomorrow to go to therapy with us. Brian has a new OT. Her name is Jean and she replaces Bhawna. Bhawna was on bedrest for a week, she is about 4 months pregnant. We were assigned to Jean and she is the answer to our prayers. She is a mom of 3 boys and she just loves Brian! She is a year or two older than me and might actually remember Kathy. She is fun and funny and keeps his spirits up. Lots of praise for jobs done.
Greg came home yesterday - YAY! G and G are coming over on Saturday - double YAY!
All for now...Love, Marcy :)
Today is a beautiful day and we are going to take a stroll outside. Rachel comes back tomorrow to go to therapy with us. Brian has a new OT. Her name is Jean and she replaces Bhawna. Bhawna was on bedrest for a week, she is about 4 months pregnant. We were assigned to Jean and she is the answer to our prayers. She is a mom of 3 boys and she just loves Brian! She is a year or two older than me and might actually remember Kathy. She is fun and funny and keeps his spirits up. Lots of praise for jobs done.
Greg came home yesterday - YAY! G and G are coming over on Saturday - double YAY!
All for now...Love, Marcy :)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Ben's Recap
Gas money to get to the Bowling alley? A few bucks.
Tacky collared bowling shirt? $20
Bowling shoes? $50
Beer? Depends on how much of a boozehound you are.
Bowling 4 Brian? Priceless.
....WELL, not exactly PRICELESS. More like $10,900. That is how much money was raised at the little shindig we threw last weekend. And I am still receiving donations.
(sorry for that unbelievably crappy MasterCard analogy, I've been busy all day and am really tired)
Anyway, I thought you might be interested in knowing what you did to help the Becketts.
All this money came from people who were there, and people who sent money through the mail.
The people who donated their time and money are amazing, and we all thank you for your contributions.
I was thinking, all you hear about on the news is gloom and doom. The world is ending, global warming will destroy us all in the next 5 years, you will surely die if you answer your cell phone while pumping gas, and Britney Spears shaved her head and proceeded to viciously attack a paparazzi dude.
Under this barrage, you tend to forget that positive things happen from time to time.
A little interesting tidbit: 3 or 4 people that we don't know from Adam, but who were bowling at the alley at the same time the fundraiser was going on, came up and gave us cash. Out of the blue. Complete Strangers. Giving us their hard earned cash.
I guess people like you, and the aforementioned strangers, coming together to help a family makes for boring headlines and crappy ratings, but to me, it sure helps maintain one's faith in humanity.
It was unbelievably fun. Sur got top score, and Zo came in second. Of course they had the bumpers up so they wouldn't throw gutterballs.
I took video of the event. We had an after party at Mark and Carey's. Brian loved it too - he remembered it all the next day.
Next bowlathon, he'll be bowling with the rest of us, God willing.
One final thing, a Bible verse my mom brought up the other day has resonated with me, and I thought I'd share it here. This scripture serves as a Biblical shout-out to you fine donater folks, and also as a thank you note expressed in words I couldn't conjure up myself at this late hour:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galations 6: 9-10)
I'd say that just about sums it up...
Once again to everybody: Thanks!!!
Tacky collared bowling shirt? $20
Bowling shoes? $50
Beer? Depends on how much of a boozehound you are.
Bowling 4 Brian? Priceless.
....WELL, not exactly PRICELESS. More like $10,900. That is how much money was raised at the little shindig we threw last weekend. And I am still receiving donations.
(sorry for that unbelievably crappy MasterCard analogy, I've been busy all day and am really tired)
Anyway, I thought you might be interested in knowing what you did to help the Becketts.
All this money came from people who were there, and people who sent money through the mail.
The people who donated their time and money are amazing, and we all thank you for your contributions.
I was thinking, all you hear about on the news is gloom and doom. The world is ending, global warming will destroy us all in the next 5 years, you will surely die if you answer your cell phone while pumping gas, and Britney Spears shaved her head and proceeded to viciously attack a paparazzi dude.
Under this barrage, you tend to forget that positive things happen from time to time.
A little interesting tidbit: 3 or 4 people that we don't know from Adam, but who were bowling at the alley at the same time the fundraiser was going on, came up and gave us cash. Out of the blue. Complete Strangers. Giving us their hard earned cash.
I guess people like you, and the aforementioned strangers, coming together to help a family makes for boring headlines and crappy ratings, but to me, it sure helps maintain one's faith in humanity.
It was unbelievably fun. Sur got top score, and Zo came in second. Of course they had the bumpers up so they wouldn't throw gutterballs.
I took video of the event. We had an after party at Mark and Carey's. Brian loved it too - he remembered it all the next day.
Next bowlathon, he'll be bowling with the rest of us, God willing.
One final thing, a Bible verse my mom brought up the other day has resonated with me, and I thought I'd share it here. This scripture serves as a Biblical shout-out to you fine donater folks, and also as a thank you note expressed in words I couldn't conjure up myself at this late hour:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galations 6: 9-10)
I'd say that just about sums it up...
Once again to everybody: Thanks!!!
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