November 24, 2024

Dear TeamToddTBI,

My recent virtual flights: ”https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_TSF2NxeOhNn6jancDAIaZuLz_JhGMia/view?usp=sharing” I have abandoned my attempt to recruit a fellow brain injury survivor to join me in the virtual skies.

I could simply write that I sweated for 5 hours 15 minutes this week instead of creating the image for you to view. That would be a virtual page turner.

The Hokies played Duke in football Saturday night: they lost. I hope they win next Saturday; even though their competitor on the field is not an institution of higher learning. (Brigid says, “ The Hokies are scheduled to play a big rival, UVA”)

My behavior in church today yielded waffles and bacon for breakfast.

I am trying to learn SDL so I can write user friendly software on linux. Ultimately, I would like to revive my application for playing blackjack. If I have paper work that I can count cards (and no longer welcomed in a casino) that would be equivalent to a certificate that I am cured of my brain injury, I think. I also hope to integrate what my favorite sister, Libby, taught me about cashing in my winnings when she is attracted by the flashy slot machines.

Brigid says “Todd enjoyed playing BlackJack on a cruise many years ago. He was good at counting cards BUT won in a modest way. Libby asked for his winnings to play her favorite gambling, the slots.”

This week Libby and Her Royal Highness traveled to New York City to watch the Rockettes.

It is intriguing that Rocket Lab stock has doubled since I purchased it. Are these two items related?

Hello TEAMTODD. Thank you for staying with us.

Todd does keep himself busy during the day besides his daily exercise routine. I heard it here for the first time about his work learning SDL. I applaud Todd for his work to challenge his brain. I hope you are proud of him also. Todd has never let us down on this journey to recovery. He is our team leader and takes on the responsibility for his recovery. BUT! Todd is forever grateful for the support of TEAMTODD. Todd continues to move forward because of your support, TEAMTODD.

As Todd mentioned, Libby and I journeyed to NY to take in a famed concert of the Radio City Music Hall acclaimed Rockettes. GOODNESS!!!! WHAT A SHOW!!!! The choreography, athleticism, precision, art, all combined to make for an awesome show! The costumes were exquisite in EVERY detail!

A VERY special ending to seeing the Rockettes was the opportunity to see and spend sme time with my niece, Maria and her husband, Eddie and their son Leo. What a bonus to the trip!!!! They live in Brooklyn and we spent an afternoon/evening with them. I was quite taken with the different atmosphere in Brooklyn compared with that of Manhattan…

Ted and Todd managed well without me for a day and a half, but I think they were happy to have me home again with Libby in tow. The week promises to be filed with good food and lotsa of fun.

We are looking forward to a Thanksgiving of just the 4 of us. Nonetheless, we will enjoy the total traditional meal.

Thanksgiving… Please know, TEAMTODD, we are so thankful to you and for you! Todd continues on his journey, going forward because of your steadfast commitment to stay with him and encourage him.

St. Luigi, pray for us!

 November 17, 2024

Dear TeamToddTBI,

My recent virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CqHmc674gw2G2nH62ViGMwIQfsrVzU7S/view?usp=sharing” I attempted a flight from KFKS to KEZS but during my landing, I was unable to brake. I think it might be my keyboard or maybe I forgot how to use the brakes.

I drove to GoodVibe Bikes for a tune up for my bike on Wednesday. GoodVibe Bikes apparently believes in testing their work as I suspect my bike was ridden – I readjusted the saddle position after they serviced my bike. I am not alone in my belief in work tested tools.

Today marks the midpoint for the November Sumo Tournament.

The Hokies had a bye week in football. Their next football game is against Dook. (sic.)

I was good in church: breakfast casserole was yielded. There were left overs that will be easy to reheat and super to enjoy. Not “super easy” like some breakfasts I have eaten.

Hello, TEAM Todd. It was an uneventful week. Which is fine. For me, I was grateful and cheered as Todd drove himself and his bike to GoodVibe Bikes. And again, when he went to pick up his bike later that afternoon.

Tomorrow, Todd has an appointment for labwork at Quest Diagnostics in Olney. Todd will drive both ways, but I will go as a passenger. BUT! The next appointment, (6 months) he can go by himself. 

We are looking forward to having Libby with us for a week or so. Libby will drive to Rockville after work on Thursday and will be with us until the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

SO! Fun for me and Libby… Friday, November 22, Libby and I will take a bus from Bethesda to NYC to attend a matinee that afternoon featuring the Rockettes and we will take the subway to Brooklyn after and have dinner with my niece, Maria and her husband and 3 year old son. We will stay at a hotel in Brooklyn and will be home by 7 pm the next day, Saturday. I am sure the guys will be fine without us for 24 hours…. Libby has handled all the details; I am along for the ride… Everyone should have a LIBBY in their life. 

Thank you, TEAMTODD for staying with us. You have been there with your prayers and encouraging thoughts for us on challenging days and you have rejoiced with us on days of celebration. Todd has made awesome progress on his journey to recovery because of YOUR support, TEAMTODD!

St. Lugi, Pray for ALL of us!

 November 10, 2024

Dear TeamToddTBI,

My recent virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OZklSby0JHRngFtLAtKyjESHEnbnYpXN/view?usp=sharing” I enjoy the physical and mental challenges of virtual aviation and planning my exertions. I also made a MP3 of Raspberry Pi’s desktop of flight from KLWA to KBEH: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JoNszbgdYlvZ_hp_lbe14w_YtRNq7F9N/view?usp=drive_link”

You can see what I see during a virtual flight.

The temptations I offered another TBI survivor to fly his bike have not yet yielded fruit. I keep trying. I am tempted to place an ad in Sport Aviation (magazine of Experimental Aviation Association) about my concept. As I have said before, riding a bike trainer alone is boring – even if you watch TV. Also, playing a flight simulator is boring. How exciting is straight and level flight? But combining them renders a palatable activity for me and I hope others.

The Grand Sumo tournament starts today. I lament that I could never qualify to be a Sumo wrestler: Try as I might, I will never grow a top knot in spite of my occasional use of volumizing shampoo.

Hokies lost their football game to Clemson; alumni dollars are in jeopardy.

Waffles and bacon for breakfast: I was good in church.

Hello, TeamTodd! YAY!!! I can hear it raining outside! The first rain we have had in 39 days! Thank you, Lord!

It has been a quiet week on the Todd Front. Todd keeps himself busy perfecting his flight simulator. I keep up with the laundry that results from 7 days of Todd’s riding… AND feeding him.  We are grateful for Todd’s sense of humor and gratitude. It is easy to be here for him.

Thanks, Brenda for you comment regarding Todd’s sense of humor. I am sure you will enjoy Todd’s comments tonight.

We are glad Katie G. is home again after 2 months walking the Camino from France to Spain. This has been Katie’s second journey on the Camino. Both times she has taken Todd’s intentions with her.

So, the Toddster missed the morning Sumo event and will watch it this evening at 6:30. I still scratch my head…What is it that he is so taken with about Sumo wrestling?????

Thank you for staying with us, TEAMTODD. Your continued interest supports us. We know we are not alone on this journey.

 November 3, 2024

Dear TeamToddTBI,

My recent virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/13E7kM-Jc0rx0KpQn8hOC-Qtcf267IXeC/view?usp=sharing” All of these flights were completed using my Raspberry Pi 5.

I aim to contact an acquaintance, another TBI survivor, from Bryan Pugh’s TBI Check-in-Chat, to beta test my idea of a throttle control for use with FlightGear.. He once completed the Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii. I’m not sure if he even has a bike trainer. At least I may learn what is unappealing about my idea.

On Tuesday, I took a PE webinar on substations. There were no mentions of “losing as phase”, but numerous incidents caused by flooding. I take AC electricity for granted.

I got my hairS cut, a flu vaccine, and a CO-VID vaccine all on the same day. I did not feel well the next morning but got on the bike trainer anyway; I think I cycled the side effects away. Only the band-aid remained for removal.

Hokies lost their football game to Syracuse :(. Alumni dollars are in jeopardy.

Hello, TEAMTOD. Thanks for staying with us. We have lost so many followers since Post Hope shut down forever. So those of you who persevered are SO appreciated!

Todd met with is PCP, Dr. Mittal on Monday. I accompanied Todd. Clearly, Dr. Mittal is one of Todd’s biggest fans. Dr. Mittal and Todd are trying to figure out Todd’s blood pressure problem. A low sodium level…. Dr. Mittal did NOT know how Todd sweats during his daily exercise. I told her of the puddles, soaked towels. She changed Todd’s medication. She said Todd’s brain needs sodium he may be losing via sweats during his strenuous exercise challenges. Todd and I were both relieved she did not tell Todd to stop exercising so strenuously but instead changed his medication. Todd will follow up with lab work in 3 weeks to monitor his sodium level.

SWEET! When leaving Dr. Mittal’s office, she gave ME a quick hug and said “Todd is fortunate to have a great support system. ” To YOU, TEAMTODD, I pass on her hug and I thank YOU for being there for Todd AND for me.

There is no preparation for becoming a caregiver. There is no course or training to become a caregiver. No one anticipates the necessity of becoming a caregiver UNTIL….

Then, we learn.. Each, I am guessing, on an individual basis, what it takes to be a “caregiver”. Every TBI survivor is different. Every caregiver is challenged in different ways.

This caregiver could NOT meet those challenges without your support, TEAMTODD. Thank you ALL for staying with BOTH Todd and Me!

St. Luigi, pray for us.