Email 11/09/2014 Hi Everyone, Before I get into what Brian is up to we have just heard how the quiz night went. We can't quite believe how much was raised from one quiz night just insane. Ever since the CIB guys from work said they wanted to fundraise and started up the website we have both been just blown away by the kindness, generosity and amazing support from our friends at work, in the community and people we don't even know. It is hard to put into words just what it means to Brian and I. To the wonderful organising committee of the quiz night again a wonderful group from work, what a result we are just shaking our heads and can't quite believe what you have achieved. A huge thank you (which really does not cover it!!!) to everyone who supported the night by attending and donating prizes. WOW!!!! The support we have received is just as surreal as the treatment it's self. After sending our last email, Brian and I headed out for tea. As some of you might be aware some of the places here are insanely noisy. We had been out two nights ago and Brian just didn't cope he was distressed by the noise and sweating had trouble with the menu and when the food did arrive he didn't enjoy it. It was a lovely Italian place something he would love prior to the stroke. And the food was amazing. The night was hard work for both of us and not really enjoyable, but it is what it is and this has become the normal for us and many of you will know how Brian avoids noisy social situations like this and rarely comes along to social events since his stroke. Any way we went out for tea to a different place actually I found it louder than the Italian place people almost yelling at each other across tables plates clanging in the kitchen, very busy. We got to our table and Brian sat down. I was just waiting for the distress to kick in, but no he was relaxed looking around the place as though we was enjoying the noise and interaction of the people. WOW what a difference. Then the waitress came around and told us of the specials etc Brian was interested attentive and did not find this hard at all. Then it was time to order normally this is a battle of indecision and torment and he usually goes for the blue cod as it is safe. Within a short time before I had made my mind up he had his meal sorted he pointed to the menu and showed me as he usually does. A good choice. About ten minutes later the waitress came back she asked him what he wanted he pointed to the menu and then to my surprise without any prompting he said ribs!!! I couldn't believe what had happened yes he has said the odd word before but there is usually some form of prompting or encouragement nothing like this. Brian started laughing when he realised what he had done, I started laughing it was amazing. Then the novelty factor kicked in for both of us I asked him what he was drinking and pointed to his glass with no hesitation he said juice. We both laughed this was fun!! Juice is a word that we have tried to work on in the past along with thank you, tea, coffee but never has he had this sort of spontaneous response. I then pointed to my glass with a little hesitation and a lot of laughter he said bubbles, yes I was having a glass of sparking wine. Lots of laughing followed mainly because we could believe the ease that he was now processing things. This is a word I haven't heard him say before and he did it on his own. It's a little hard not to be excited about the prospects. The food arrived and Brian thoroughly enjoyed his meal something I haven't seen in a long time. It was an amazing night easy enjoyable and fun something we haven't had since his stroke not hard work at all. The next morning Brian was keen to get into the day. While in the shower he yelled out I naturally thought something was wrong but no this was a new chapter :-) Brian was feeling the water down the right side of his back he indicated that this was new and different to before. Lots of smiles and thumbs up from him. He wanted to go to the mall. So off we went we got to the mall and as you can imagine it is sensory over load big and busy. Rather than being over whelmed by it he was just soaking it up enjoying the sights. He walked around the mall and as he did I noticed how relaxed his right arm was it was only brushing his side rather than banging against his body, he was relaxed the arm looked and felt lighter. His walking was smoother than it would usually be. And he felt that his walking was easier, lighter than it had been before. Off to the food court one of his favourite frozen yogurts with berries. Watching him eat this was just like the orange juice reaction. I knew that he was having issues with his taste buds but I really did not know just how bad this was. Brian is enjoying food again the relief and happiness on his face says it all. In all we spent four hours at the mall which is unheard of for Brian. All the time Brian was laughing and enjoying being out and about. He indicated that he was waiting for the fatigue to kick in and over whelm him but it didn't no signs of it. WOW! This is huge :-) Then at 4pm we had a follow up with Doctor Tobinick and Helen. Brian improved on the times of the exercises again. And was able to identify different objects from a line up which is something he has not been able to do before. His thinking and processing it a lot easier and clearer than it was before. The confidence I am seeing is amazing. We left there at 7 o'clock it is clear that everyday they are seeing this treatment have a positive effect on people it is just amazing how many lives they are changing. We walked back towards the hotel and had tea on the way home getting back to the room about 9 pm. Brian had had a huge day for him and had not only coped but enjoyed it :-) The apprehension and frustration that has become the normal for him is gone he is confident, relaxed and having fun again, life is not as hard as it used to be :-) big smiles all round :-) There is so much happening I know I have probably left some things out but this will give you an understanding of the changes we are seeing. There are going to be some amazing flow on effects from the fact that Brian can now tolerate noise and the fatigue isn't taking hold and ruling his life. He certainly has a new lease of life that he wouldn't have had before. Amazing. We have our next appointment on Thursday at 12pm. Until next time and again thank you all so very much. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) Kind Regards Brian and Jo
