February  23,  2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Here is a link to a video of my quirky blackjack computer game: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/13_NGJQuyWIbsqKXMvkr2DCltAYid_ahF/view?usp=drive_link”  The video has no sound; key strokes are illustrated; the video shows configuration of the game to match the wishes of the end user.  I hope end users can configure the game to match the rules that they want.   The game is not complete so if you have good idea, I still have time to incorporate it.  I hope by playing the game my short term memory improves.

I flew virtually this week:”https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w5zZSqv_rrvLLewIjhwE97YOi57otKqH/view?usp=sharing”  On Friday, the virtual cross winds were bad; I navigated barely well to land, turn around, and take-off again.  I still hope others will adopt this challenging activity.  

I also filled forms from UNUM and Medicare in anticipation of a Primary Care Physician’s appointment later in March.  I now have to print the forms out and double check the content.  But, I do not have to decipher my poor hand writing.

I drove a car to Safeway on Saturday to restore my supply of the previously brominated beverage, vital to my recovery my TBI.

The burden of being good in church was shifted back to me;  I made no breakfast casserole Saturday.  Dad decided to prepare waffles.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello , TEAMTODD!  Thank you for staying with us.  AMAZING!  Todd is taking care of himself.  I was not aware of his communication with UNUM and Medicare until now, as I read his update to you all.  I am VERY aware, however, Todd has taken on more ways to be helpful around the house.  Todd always seems to be “there” when I need a helping hand.

I had Cataract Surgery on my second eye this week and Todd drove me to my post op appointment the next day.  All went well… Todd drives the speed limit…  But that is lawful.. 

TEAMTODD, I must share with you a story I heard for the first time this week from an occasional (professional) acquaintance…  He shared with me, FINALLY, after so many years, his son survived a horrendous strike from a truck as he was jogging, age 13-14…  Of course, his son received the BEST medical care available.  BUT!  TBI raises its ugly head resulting in emotional problems, depression, mood changes among its victims.  My friend’s son took his own life, just 2 years ago, age 42,  after battling for so many years the residue of TBI.  

I think I am “preaching to the choir”, but I had to share his story.

We are so grateful for Todd’s positive outlook, gracious acceptance, and good humor.  What gifts to ALL of us.!!!!!!  NO!  It is only by the grace of God,  AND YOUR PRAYERS,  YOUR GOOD WORKS, that Todd and WE, have been spared horrendous results of TBI.  Please stay with us!

 February 16, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

This week I had seven good landings: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HvxMAF-FE29YMjrtzoe_orwIkFwCAgu4/view?usp=sharing” I enjoy flying my bike.

I am still enjoying my attempt to author a blackjack game computer game. Here is a presentation that I hope sort of illustrates what I am trying to do: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f6Qxr7REPA6RkV-RSW9TnzhzpfoK2HMQ/view?usp=sharing” Comments on the slides (you should be able view an ODP file with Microsoft PowerPoint) are more than welcome.

I did not feel the onus to be good in church this Sunday as I prepared the breakfast casserole. I followed this recipe ;”https://www.cooks.com/recipe/q60eu7hk/tennessee-pride-country-kitchen-casserole.html” except I only used 1lb of sausage. (pound mass or pound force?)

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello, TeamTodd! Thank you for staying with us.

First, a “Shout Out” to Carolyn de, celebrating a birthday this week. Carolyn was introduced to me 6 months before Todd’s event. She was part of God’s plan of support for me. She was one of many first responders.

Todd keeps himself busy and occasionally will take a break to watch TV, a rerun of a ball game or the cooking channel. Interesting, this week, Todd asked if he could make the Breakfast Casserole for our Sunday Breakfast. ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

I worked with Todd and the recipe and Todd took notes. I always chop green, red and or orange bell peppers in chunks to add. Todd made note of that. Next weekend, Todd will be on his own to deliver the Breakfast. I think, Todd will do VERY well.

Todd wants to do more to take care of himself and that is helpful as we all live together and share in the chores of day to day activities.

Can you hear the wind???? Gusts of 45-60 mph…Such a crazy week of weather..Snow, ice, temps in the high 50’s today and now strong winds…

Due to a cancellation, I will have Cataract Surgery on this Thursday instead of waiting until the end of March. I will be glad to have both eyes taken care of… another month of eye drops….

Todd and Ted take good care of me, from being the taxi to and from the appointment to the reminders of the times of my eye drops. As Todd would say, and this time it refers to me… “I am well taken care of.”

 February 9, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I continue to fly my bike: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uLanu5zZD3NYDmwOlz6J1_1s6Bqnfui4/view?usp=sharing” Currently, my bike is equipped with a trainer tire. The tire came with literature indicating its use on actual roads was detrimental to the bike and tire.

I think I have completed a configuration mode for my blackjack computer game. The next step is to develop a scheme to preserve the configuration so a future user does not need to memorize how to create a favored configuration.

I got my hairS cut this week.

HRH, my father, and I dined on baked ziti on Friday that I previously prepared. Mom had a Dr’s appointment and it was easy to thaw it out. I was glad I could help.

When I cook, I favor focusing on one dish – salmon, baked ziti, steak, lobster, hamburgers, personally ground, tuna steaks (not from a can!), or occasionally frozen vegetables, etc. Saturday evening I had the idea that I could start making breakfast casseroles. That’s one dish and does not contain anything confusing like tzalad (sic.) except maybe croutons. Plus, I will no longer bear the onus of being good in church every week.

I was good in church; breakfast casserole was earned.

To maintain my engineering license, I signed up for a two hour webinar in March.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello, TEAMTODD!

Thanks for staying with us. Your ongoing interest is a huge support!

This has been a difficult week for me. I’ve been having some ear issues (discomfort) drops in the ear and drops in the eye. I have been to WRMC 3 times this week. Blah! Blah!

The Toddster has had my back with suppers. I kinda think, Todd is in training to be a great “caregiver”. All will be OK, I just need a couple of days off. God love Ted!

Todd wants to do more cooking and helping with laundry. YES! Now is the time to start some new strategies.

Dear Friends, I wonder how many of you are still with us, FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, Back in the day, Todd was being taken care of by us, NOW, Todd is looking for opportunities to assist me with daily activities.

NOW, Smile with me, LOL… Todd will learn to do laundry the ONLY way.. Pristine… Katie G. You can confirm!

Todd has asked to begin some new domestic adventures, responsibilities. As Todd’s caregiver, I want to encourage him and make it happen.

We have come a long way in10+ years, TeamTodd. This is the continuation of Todd’s Journey to Recovery. Please stay with us… The best is yet to be…

St. Luigi, We are grateful for your intercession.

 February 2, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Naturally, I completed more virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vs3w0db3FIYrBwgV7te26Vao_HPbINaA/view?usp=sharing” Not shown in the link is the fact that I crashed during my landing at 0R4. I think the runway was poorly rendered; that’s my excuse.

I continue to work on my blackjack game; I hope to share the game with others, besides reviving my short term memory. Lately, I have focused on a “configuration” for the blackjack game: how many of the seven seats at the table are filled, the style played from those seats (computer or human), where the “yellow card” that indicates the shoe should be shuffled is in the shoe, if the shoe should be preserved between games, etc. Here is a screen shot of a configuration for the number of active players: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sRkiFnQ7mrdfZ9KxHtIojuc-6ohedw-s/view?usp=drive_link” The upper left two lines of text is supposed to briefly illustrate the meaning of the screen. I numbered the players from dealer’s perspective – that is why the player one is on the far right.

I picked up new to my eye glasses this week. I simply got new lenses in the frames I wore before. Also this week, related to eyes, on Friday, HRH had cataract surgery. I took advantage of Her absence and prepared baked ziti for dinner.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello, TEAMTODD! Thanks for staying with us. We do not know how many people read the weekly update BUT Todd and I are hopeful at least 10-12 people are still with us. We want to continue to send a message of SURVIVAL and HOPE after a Traumatic Brain Injury to EVERYONE!

I know you have heard me say this many times, but THEY should lock me up and throw away the key! I look for opportunities to educate the world about TBI. I might be “preaching to the choir” here. I am confident, if you have been following our posts for so many years, you, too, have become an advocate and share what you have learned from us . I take advantage of every opportunity to share Todd’s amazing journey, a journey of survival and hope.

Yes! I had cataract surgery on Friday. The surgery was successful, Thank You Lord, but I had some good conversations with all those taking care of me. Of course, everyone was chatty, trying to take my mind off the upcoming procedure. Questions: Am I retired? What do I do for fun? ETC… One answer leads to another question… Well, the admitting nurse is a TBI survivor!!! She was a victim of a Hit N Run accident at the age of 30 and sustained a head injury. She was VERY interested in Todd’s journey.

As I said, the cataract surgery was successful and I felt I made 4 new friends that day.

I welcome the opportunity to share Todd’s story. If I had only known what TBI stood for 11 years ago, If only I had heard of someone’s story before it happened to us… Education and shared experiences were not available to us. I am called to be a part of that solution! 

Thanks for staying with us, TEAMTODD. Todd has reached this level of recovery, AND continues to RECOVER because of your prayers, your good thoughts and good works. Todd is a walking miracle because of YOU!!!!