Working Through Grief

http://www.bfoyr.com/Newsletters/Spring_2010.pdf

1994 Photo

I came across this Christmas photo. I think 1994.

Osler Memo To Bryan Wong

Osler Memo To Bryan Wong

View more presentations from aandayeung.

Two Years

It's Feb. 19 again. This time I'm 20,000 feet in the air on my way to Calgary. Do you know what's worse than watching a comedy on an airplane and laughing like a hyena as people stare at you like you're a lunatic? Watching a heartbreak movie like "Nights of Rodanthe" and feel like you're going to cry your eyes out. Anyway it's been two years now. I've finished another Robotics build season. We have a great entry this year. Were this two years ago, would I turn down this work knowing that Bryan was so fragile? If I were en route to Saskatchewan, would I return for the funeral? I always say that funerals are for the living and those left behind. It's an important part of the mourning process but each have their own ways to remember and still move on. I remember how Don Harvey said he had laid out his suit ready to go to my mother's funeral. I said how he could have called and we would have gladly picked him up. That's not what he meant. He said he spent the afternoon remembering the great times that they had together. That was so much more important to him. And now that he is gone, I find it incumbent to carry on his love of life and his depth of understanding. He was always remarkable in only saying what should be said. What was unsaid was better that way.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

I’m sure many stopped today to reflect on this day last year. It was quite amazing the number of people who dropped everything and went to the hospital. Here we are a year later, people's lives carry on and become busy.

Byran’s Uncle Foster and Aunt Rose Marie came from Trinidad and Tobago that day and missed seeing Byran alive by a matter of hours. People stood around Bryan’s bed and comforted each other. It had been an arduous journey for Byran that led there.

Here is a story of another friend who was struck by a sudden cancer diagnosis in 2004. The old School Council had regularly met for dinner long after our kids had graduated:

Sometimes you have those eerie coincidences in your life. Jan. 30 we had an ACI Council Alumni dinner, just because it seems the height of winter dreariness, long after New Year's celebrations and before things begin to thaw. Sonia called late in the afternoon saying she fell and was too sore to even sit up, she mentioned that Philip Wong was in the hospital. I called May (Philip's wife) to see which hospital he was in and to see if he might want some visitors.

Last night (Jan. 30), Bill, Yvonne, John, Margo, Patty and myself sat down to dinner at Montana's Cookhouse at 7 o'clock. We got up to date on things happening with us all. We talked about Philip. I did not realise there were many people on the "old Council" who did not know that Philip was sick. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer mid-November 2003. He was taking chemotherapy treatments.

I suggested that a visit from all of us might boast his spirits, especially since he was quite determined to go to the Jan. 27 ACI School Council meeting until it was deferred a week due to the snow storm. Patty mentioned that Philip was interested in seeing us that night but wouldn't have been able to eat at the restaurant. We agreed to go after dinner.

Discussions turned to other events and anecdotes. We didn't finish until after 9 o'clock. We talked about whether it was too late to go to see Philip but we thought we could talk our way into seeing him. It was snowing outside. I brushed off the van and we all got in.

At the hospital, we approached the nurse's station to say we were there to visit Philip, she said he was in the room down the corridor. Only as we approached the room, did we realise there was a large crowd outside Philip's room and were told that he had slipped into a coma after 7 o'clock. We were initially stunned but then the family encouraged us to go inside and visit with him, as he would have wanted to see us.

Although the plan was to go back to my place afterwards, we decided to just go back into Montana's for coffee once we got back to the restaurant parking lot. We talked a lot about Philip. How he had spent over 7 years on the ACI School Council and Chinese Parents Council. How he was active and involved. How he was well respected and friendly to everyone. We had concern for his daughters; one at university and one in Grade 11 in high school.

He was always soft spoken and so polite. He would bring articles for "The Link" to my house and apologise for being so delayed when in fact many of my other contributors still needed to send me material. He would be worried that the four different sized lay-up's he did for the Chinese version of the article might not fit the space I had.

It was past midnight before we left the restaurant. I thought about if we knew Philip was in a coma, we probably wouldn't have gone. If Sonia had gone to dinner, we probably wouldn't have known where Philip was. I likely called May during the few minutes that they were at home.

I pulled into my driveway. The fresh snow blanketed the neighbourhood in silent stillness. A few snowflakes danced and flew in the lights then to the ground.

May called me this morning to say Philip passed away at 2 am.

In memory of Bryan and Philip, also Don, Cathy, Nancy, Anne, Nellie. And in tribute to Carmen, Richard, Patty, Ave, Margaret, I plan to do the “Ride to Conquer Cancer”. It’s a two day ride to Niagara Falls during June 20-22, 2008.

Updated Links!

Revised links so that they'll appear in a separate window now...The Bryan Tree has also moved to Picasaweb - no more Imagestation!

Blog Replay

In many ways this blog feels like it's replaying. I just returned from Nashville. We had that weird warm weather last week then cold again. There are pansies on the front porch this year. I'm in the middle of my robotics build. The final ship day for the robot is Feb. 19.

A year ago we'd be getting ready to do that benefit dinner.

Somehow I feel there should be more stories about Bryan here. Maybe a funny incident, a story from the wedding, from work or from Calgary. Send me or post whatever you've got.

As a little test of whether people are still reading this: May I propose we do dinner on Feb. 19? Go to the crypt then to Buffet King. If not the Tues. then maybe Sat. 23rd. Let me know what you think.

Christmas 2007

Family Christmas

We had Christmas at the Wongs, just like last year but without Byran.

Someone broke the sombre atmosphere and the camera caught this photo.


It was great to see Andrew, Alex and Dave at the Wongs on Christmas Eve. Willing to spend some time out for one of their party people they are missing. It's hard when the first of a generation departs.

As I grow older, more and more of my elders are passing on and now more often persons from my generation. It's hard not to dwell on the memories of lost moments but thankfully they are punctuated with moments of sheer delight, as we move onto new experiences in new places.

Happy New Year Everyone.

Photo Archive

Sony Imagestation is shutting down. I've uploaded photos I have to Facebook (public link so you don't have to have an account):

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28532&l=ca121&id=682585139

Let me know if you have albums stored elsewhere.

October is Coming

October looms as a ominous month ahead.

October is Bryan's birthday.

One year ago, October at Thanksgiving the first of the bad news was discovered and a journey began.

Moving In

I missed lunch with Bryan's friends last week due to an appointment but it was good to catch up a bit afterwards at the Wong residence.

The Wongs take possession of Byran's downtown condominium this week. This will make various downtown based activities of the Wong family more convenient in the next year or so.

Passage of Time

It's strange how the passage of time seems to be coloured by who you are with and your terms of reference.

We had a sixteenth birthday party for Melinda. Somehow having a lot of the same group together made it seem like Bryan's funeral had been only a few days ago. I can't help but feel that the prospect of these family gatherings are very difficult for Jeffrey who along with Bryan were the first of that generation of cousins with quite a age gap until the next group.

It's strange how technology has changed our perception of the durablility of things. We expect anything electronic like computers or TV's to break or be obolete in a few years. Even a microwave oven we expect to break long before our traditional stove and oven. When you look at the old things built in Europe that continue to be admired centuries later, you wonder about what will be the legacy of this generation.

Breaking Free

On the front page of the Toronto Star GTA section on May 1/07 was the face of a fellow TTC employee with the anguish of the loss of a bright young subway driver in a maintenance accident.

That is the new media coverage. In prior times, these would be considered private moments but now this is society's sympathy and compassion. Their anguish is ours.

These are the points of raw emotion. What we don't see is that which is not newsworthy: The healing process and moving forward. This happens differently in each of us. We can't let past events tie us down. If we are forever tethered to that perspective we can never release and move beyond where we can see a new view. Not to say we will forget where we have been but as we move on we can see better where we've been and what we were holding onto much more clearly.

Earth Day

Yesterday was Earth Day.

I went to help run a BBQ sponsored by The Rotary Club of Agincourt for 10000trees.com who plants trees every year. We had hundreds of volunteer tree planters to feed, especially with the pleasantly warm, sunny day. It was up at 9th line and the Markham bypass. On the way there I passed the Markham-Stouffville Hospital.

I always imagine our lives as in Greek mythology where the three sisters spin your life's thread, pull it out and finally cut it off. However, I liken it to how you leave a thread as you travel. The slower you go the larger the mark that you leave. You weave a web of life. Some paths like the route to the hospital grows thick as a rope, as you pass over and over the route. And as you pass over it again the memory of prior visits overwhelms the current one. And it's a cord that will never break.

Video Addendum

Here's some more footage that I forgot to include before. Most of it is from Bryan's Uncle Carlos. Apologies in advance for things I may have cut out. Also some clips have no sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnW1Ux-Ixcc

Video

I just went to a memorial celebration for a good family friend. They produced a 35 minute video of memories from people he knew. I thought it was about time I did a final edit on the video from the Jan. 27 benefit dinner. In some ways it's comforting to see all those familiar faces that know Bryan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS_UZORw0tY

I believe today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today.

Not Quite Spring

OK here's those pansies starting to bloom on the porch.

It's been a month since my last post. I've been tied up doing robotics with the high school kids. We made it to the quarter finals in Waterloo. First time ever for the team.

This robotics build will be remembered by me for the second last day of the build season on Feb. 19 when Carmen called me with the news. I had to go to office to ask for a teacher to cover for me even though I'm not teaching a formal course. I had a bunch of kids drilling and cutting materials that I couldn't leave and needed to keep going. Bryan seemed to always be interested when I talked about robotics.

We had a family gathering last night. Traditionally, we never used to get together for Easter but Angela asked everyone over. Significant events draws families closer. It was good to have everyone enjoying themselves. Naturally, we had to watch the seesaw Leafs game in high-def. Bryan would have loved that game.

"Ring out, wild bells"

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Letters from the Family

Dear Bryan,

You were everything a Dad could hope for and more.

You had a good heart, always polite, always considerate of others, always up for a challenge. You were courageous, tenacious, and you never gave up. You have touched the lives of everyone who
knew you and many others whom you never met. You have been
loyal to your many friends and they have responded in return.

I shall always treasure the moments we had together,
the times we played catch, the times we saw the Raptors, Leafs,
and Jays play, and the times we went camping.

Your mom and I are so proud of you.
We will always love you and we will never forget you.
We know you are now resting in peace, having fun.
Your sense of humor still intact; we can hear you chuckling.

Love, Mom and Dad

Please God, take good care of him

Bryan was our older brother but always acted like a big kid just like

us whenever we were all together. Even though the four of us all

have very different personalities, the one thing that’s common between

us all is Bryan’s sense of humour, and that was always enough to bring

us all together. No matter how long it had been without seeing each

other because we were all off busy doing our own thing – the moment

Bryan cracked a joke when we were together or teased Nicole about

something it was like no time had passed at all.

The most vivid memories we have of Bryan are during our family

vacations. In the Wong family, it wasn’t a family vacation unless

someone got lost in Disney World. Bryan was infamous for this, but

always managed to find his way back. There was this one time when

all four of us got separated from Mom and Dad. But Bryan had a very

nonchalant attitude to him and never got nervous or scared whenever

this happened – we guess because he expected it to happen. He just

went about his own way, and it was this laid-back yet confident

attitude that was able to comfort us and keep the 3 of us from freaking

out even though we had no idea where we were or what we were doing.

His attitude was “there’s nothing we can do about it so might as well

enjoy the moment”

We’re going to miss Bryan immensely but he wouldn’t have wanted us

to remain sad because even though he’s not physically present, his spirit

will always be with us. We have with us relationships of memory of

special moments with Bryan that makes hoping for the future possible.

Bryan knew he was loved by his siblings and we know that he loved us

so that in itself brings comfort to us.

~ Michelle, Jason and Nicole

Bryan was my oldest brother and always acted the part. Whether he was

teasing me, showing me around Toronto, or holding me upside down by my

ankles. I always loved the times I got to share with him. He taught me my

first guitar chords and what a wet willy is - the hard way - and had a

certain charisma that always made me happy to see him. No matter how

old we are, Bryan always had some childish phrase that could lighten any

mood, and which I will never forget.

~ Nicole

Good Words

This was given to me by a good friend of the family a while ago. OK I Googled it and here's the text:

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
whatever we were to each other
that we still are
call me by my old familiar name
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used
put no difference in your tone
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together
pray smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
without the trace of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
it is the same as it ever was
there is unbroken continuity
why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you
somewhere very near
just around the corner
All is well

Henry Scott Holland
(1847-1918) Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

On a Date with Miss Universe

The famous night out.

More Photos, More Memories

People continue to send their photos of Bryan. I post most of them onto The Bryan Tree (link at right).

It's funny that The Bryan Tree was started by Alex and Andrew to create a Christmas tree of photos but I see the name as representing the branching out of friends and family from a common trunk that it has become.

Tribute

From his best friends:

Bryan "Bintong / BW" Wong attended St Margaret Bougeoise and St Justin Martyr for elementary school, in addition to the French immersion program at St. Matthew's. It was during this time where he would meet the friends with which he would spend the majority of his later years with. He went with them to Las Vegas, on several road trips, played basketball and road hockey and any other team sports available, and really hung out with them a lot. He always had time for his friends, and always made sure that everyone was included. When he was young, Bryan's parents used to drive all his friends to and from movies, the mall, and Laser Quest. Bryan was close to his family and relatives; he spent time living with both of his grandmothers while attending college and university, and his summers with them usually involved fun vacations and camping trips together.

After elementary school, Bryan attended Brother Andre Catholic High school, went on to Seneca College to get some hands-on skills through co-op placements, and then Ryerson University to complete a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in Information Technology. He made good friends everywhere; we were all jealous to learn one of his classmates and friends was a recent Ms. Universe winner. Upon graduation, Bryan started his first full-time job at a large law firm, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt. He was enjoying and excelling in his IT Support role before he was diagnosed with cancer. He had also started making short business trips, which included traveling to New York City and Calgary. This year he was looking forward to moving into his new condo downtown near the Eaton Centre.

Easy going, intelligent, funny, a great fighter, and an awesome person. He was a big fan of Wrestling, Star Trek, all types of movies, downloading just about anything, and following NBA basketball. One thing that everyone knows about Bryan is that he always did what he wanted to do and was very candid in his conversations. He was always himself and we loved everything about him. He worked hard, and he played hard; he was always good company. Bryan also enjoyed riding his bike around the city, he was very good at it given how dangerous it can be. He liked playing basketball and volleyball in the summer, and really enjoyed the hot weather and the beaches. Bryan was a friend you'd always want on your team. For example, as many people can confirm, in video game challenges, he'd always be quicker at pressing the right combination of buttons. 'I'll be there in 10 minutes' usually meant a couple hours though, so as long as you could wait, it would all be good. He'd often have video game, movie, and pizza nights when school and work weren't too busy. Bryan was easy to eat with because he would eat anything and at any time of the day. He would always make sure that food wasn't wasted. Bryan loved life.
A great son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and colleague, we are all lucky to have been close with him. Basketball, one of his favourite sports to watch and play, was an area where he dominated when he had the ball. We could always recite jealously his quotes such as "There are 5 people on the court and I ain't passing to anyone", knowing that he could and would get the job done. Another favourite quote of his was "Don't shoot, you're gonna get rejected", which he more than enough times shouted and carried out, to the disappointment of his basketball opponents.
His journey continues beside us, with us and in us.

The Day After

Today seemed surreal. The flurry of activity over and no one to go see or worry about.

A lot of time was spent catching up on sleep but even when I went to buy some groceries, I felt like I should be doing something else.

Echoing back to the Journey's terminus. It's like I'm wandering around the terminal thinking that maybe the train will return or like in the movies, time will reverse. I have yet to board my train to a new destination yet I know I must.

What will happen to this blog? I'll leave it up as a record of Bryan's valiant fight. I'll post some memories periodically. Especially on special days. Thanks so much to those who expressed appreciation of this blog. While it was a service to others it was also cathartic for myself.

Vigil

During tonight's (Friday) visitation around 7:30 pm. There will be Vigil and people will have a chance to share memories of Bryan. A number of people have prepared texts which we will try to have posted here, as well.

Tomorrow's service is a traditional Catholic service which will not include any eulogy.

Friends at Osler said... (re-posted from comments)

We first met Bryan when he joined the Records department at Osler in June 2004. Within a short time, Bryan’s outgoing personality and sense of humour had transformed our initial impression of him as a quiet, reserved individual. It didn’t take us long to form strong friendships and a bond with Bryan. By the late-summer, Bryan had become an integral part of the team, organizing KFC lunches for all and challenging the Manager to a box construction contest! The year that Bryan joined Records was very challenging for various reasons. But Bryan’s compassionate, generous and fun-loving character made everyone look forward to each day in the office.

A year after Bryan started at Osler, he transferred to the IS Service Desk. Within a couple of weeks, Bryan’s laid-back, cool demeanour made it seem like he’d always been a part of the team. With a wide variety of personalities on the desk, Bryan’s humour and ability to adapt to the position, quickly moved him from new colleague to friend.

Bryan’s empathetic and open nature initiated strong ties with people throughout the Firm. His relationships were subtle and humble, yet significant and will never be forgotten.

We love you Bryan, and we'll miss you.

2/27/07 6:19 AM

"Bryan was a Beast"

As quoted by his father, Bryan fought hard, fought strong, and never gave up. He passed away peacefully just before noon on Monday, February 19th 2007.

With no more pain to worry about, Bryan is able to watch unlimited TV, play b-ball and v-ball endlessly, read all of the latest comics, watch all of the best dvds, and eat to his heart's content. He is undeniably at peace, and happy, and this he has achieved, without a doubt, with your help.

He is, and will always be, with us in our thoughts and prayers.

Announcement will be in Thursday's Toronto Star:

BRYAN BINTONG WONG Passed away peacefully at Markham Stouffville Hospital with his mother by his side on Monday, February 19, 2007 at the age of 26. Beloved son of Richard and Ena Ann-Marie Wong. Grandson of Anna Yee-Ching and Oi-Yip Wong. Loving brother of Michelle, Jason and Nicole. Nephew of Christopher, Foster, Phillip, Irene Angela, Carmen, Ann, Doris, Helen, Mary, Betty, Ida and Agnes. Bryan will be missed by his many cousins, extended family, friends and co-workers at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt. He was fun-loving, a free spirit and a loyal friend with a great sense of humour. Special thanks to pallbearers: Alex, Andrew, Jason R., Rob, and his cousin Jeffrey. The family expresses their sincere thanks to the nurses and staff at M.S.H. Resting at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home, 8911 Woodbine Ave., Markham, (4 lights north of Hwy. 7) 905-305-8508 on Friday, February 23, from 5 - 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church, 3898 Hwy. 7, Markham, on Saturday February 24, at 10:30 a.m. Entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery, 8361 Yonge St., Thornhill, south of Hwy. 407. Donations in Bryan's memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
(Click View PDF to see the notice with the photo.)
http://www.torontostarclassifieds.com/OLCSApp/do/attribute_search_side?categoryName=DEATHS&classId=008&attri_1=wong,%20bryan&detail=true&sort=none&pages=10">The Star

The Snow Fell

I've written before comparing the brevity of life to a falling snow flake. As a stood in Bryan's hospital room on Monday, I saw the new snow swirling outside the window around the tree in the courtyard, Bryan's last view of the world outside for the last few weeks. Sometimes I would see him looking longingly outside. He would pump his arm and lift his leg with renewed vigor.

Some have said the Bryan's Journey is at an end. Consider that we have reached a terminus. We must now depart with one less passenger. Bryan must travel a new path where we cannot follow yet. But the memories of time spent together will travel with all of us wherever we go.

Toy Paradise

Aside from the pictures, posters, drinks, food, chocolates and more brought in by Bryan's relatives and friends (in addition to his own collection!), there are some items that Bryan has never grown up from, and that is the classic and current toys from memorable cartoons that the nurses are jealous of! They always catch his eye!

Photo picture displays seem to be corrupt at the moment, so here's some direct links to some of the toy pictures from his room:

Batman (duplicate)

Family Guy

Spongebob

Transformers


The latter gets the most attention as they are the original 1986 models...just like the Superman model in the Seinfeld episodes...!

The Pansy

OK this is not much to look at but it started growing unexpectedly in my vegetable garden last November. Probably a gift from birds visiting my bird-feeder.

I thought the December frost had killed it but after the week of rain we had in January it was blooming again. Because of it's tenacity thought I'd provide it safe habour and put it in a pot on our front porch. Now it is inside protected from the extreme cold. It's growing thin and spindly since pansies don't like really warm temperatures.

I looking forward to putting it back outside in the spring to continue to grow and bloom.

The Truth

If you can't handle truth read no further...

Those who read this blog and visit Bryan regularly know that I usually delay posting any bad news hoping that whatever has happened will go away. I usually post good news as soon as I can.

The reality of Bryan's condition is that it is slowly deteriorating. He has some good days and bad days but overall things are sliding lower. It's the same Bryan inside but he can barely speak these days. Swallowing is a huge chore and sometimes the pain is overwhelming in spite of the pain medicine pump.

I hope and pray for a miracle. Something that will kick start Bryan's immune system to shrink the tumours. The problem is that Bryan's body so far has been ineffective in fighting the cancer. We all have cancers cells floating around inside of us. The thing is most of the time the body will prevent them from taking hold anywhere. Perhaps, the Tarceva will do something. Perhaps, the forced change in diet will stop feeding the cancer. Perhaps, a different inner strength will be found that will dispatch the errant cells. This I wish.

Tarceva

Bryan started taking Tarceva on Sunday. It's a new drug that acts as a growth inhibitor instead of a cell killer like traditional chemotherapies so it not as hard on the body.


However, one of the side effects is diarrhea which Bryan has now. Hopefully it gets under control in the next while.

A Letter of Thanks

Dear well-wishers,

On behalf of Bryan and the Wong family, I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation for your help during this stressful time. The kindness and consideration we have received has been overwhelming, and we hope that we can one day return this support.

Thank you to all who attended the benefit dinner and dance on January 27^th; an amazing $10 000 was raised to aid in Bryan’s medical expenses. I hope you enjoyed the event as much as I did. The remarkable amount of cheer and well-wishes brought much hope and optimism to Bryan’s situation. Thanks to Bryan’s friends and relatives who created videotaped greetings and messages; they truly were appreciated as they brought a big smile to his face. Also, thank you to those who could not come to the dinner but still gave much appreciated donations and support; human kindness never fails to amaze.

Bryan would love to have been there in person, but he was with you all in spirit and would enjoy hearing stories about the night. Once again, thank you to everyone who was a part of the event.

Sincerely,

Nicole Wong

Bits & Bites

Besides the mandatory shaving of his goatee by the nurse, Bryan has been settling well into his room without too much change. Being able to take in small amounts of food again has also been a good sign, and Bryan is keeping up to date on the recent successes of the Raptors. He also enjoyed this year's Superbowl commercials, and in his free time, works on his ball-handling skillz.

Eating

I'm back-dating this to the morning I spent with Bryan (Thursday).

I am worried about Bryan getting the essential body building proteins for re-generating cells. There are 20 amino acids of which 10 must be gotten daily from food. I had always heard that eggs are considered a perfect protein because they contain all of these amino acids.

I made some really soft scrambled eggs with lots of milk in them to take with me in the morning. Bryan had a few small spoons of the egg. However, it seemed to pass through him very quickly.

I plugged my laptop into the phone line and dialed Sympatico so I could show him this blog live. I realised this blog is a lot of text. Andrew posts most of the pictures. I forgot to show him the "Bryan Tree" and how it's been growing.