March 30, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

First, I want to say “Happy Birthday” to Debbie Cheung. Debbie and her family, the Wu’s, have been very supportive of me during all these years of my recovery .

I enjoy completing virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q5tWZSbMqmEiQ_Q6-UhmldQHsBE8N_6Y/view?usp=sharing” Maybe I am addicted.

I took a day away from usual activities to get lab work done that required fasting and avoiding strenuous activity on Friday. Fasting and avoiding strenuous activity are requirements that comes from being fifty, I think.

I continue to develop a blackjack game. I now can show an initial dealing of cards. But I want the cards to appear one at time instead of all at once. The next state I will program will be a check to if the dealer and/or players have a blackjack. I like to keep things simple.

I am also am deciphering Roark’s Formulas of Stress and Strain. The book is over my head but I can learn explicit formulas quicker than finite element analysis. I am hoping to shed light on a disruptive idea I had years ago.

It seems to be a recurring theme in my life to redo something I did in the past but improve upon the method and end-product. I realize that my blog postings may give a rosier depiction of my functional abilities. My functional abilities are consumed like a candle with an overly long wick. Briefly, very bright and the light fades to almost nothing a short time later.

Dear TeamTodd,

I just read Todd’s concluding paragraph. How frustrating it must be for Todd and other TBI survivors to have that time of enlightenment but it lasts just a short time. I was quite taken how Todd described it. I have been telling the world, those who listen to me, , Todd is the genius he was “before” but for only 2 hours a day…

Todd mentioned his lab work… He asked, AFTER his appointment was scheduled, about fasting…. That won’t happen again. Todd’s appointment was at 1:40 pm. That’s a long time for the Toddster to go without food AND Mt. Dew! 

We are looking forward to the Annual Maryland Brain Injury Conference this week, Thursday and Friday. Todd and I will be attending the conference for the 2 days but scheduling conflicts will not allow Libby and Ted to join us. Todd and I will drive up and back on both days.

We have enjoyed a couple of summer like days. Everything is blooming! There is no spring like a Maryland Spring! BUT, We need rain!!!!!

Thanks for staying with us, Dear Friends. We are supported by your prayers, thoughts and best wishes.

Todd could not have come this far in his recovery without you!

Much love and gratitude,

Brigid

 March 16, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I completed virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/174RBbgcZmal-1ncJRYhboYNFnlKbJbRU/view?usp=sharing” On Saturday, I attempted a flight from KCOQ to KPKD and damaged the aircraft during landing. The designated runway was turf; I do not have a wealth of experience on that type of surface: That is my excuse.

I continue to develop a blackjack game. This week, I coded a way to visually show a shuffled deck. The next state to code is the initial deal. I enjoy the challenges and the assistance I am given.

Also, there is axisymmetric stress problem I would like to solve. Roark’s Formulas for Stress & Strain has a solution but I do not understand it. I will be working on that.

I got added to the email list of the Rockville Science Center. There, I might find interest in bicycle flights.

I continue to walk about a mile a day..

This week, I will have lab work done. I will be driving myself.

Grand Sumo ends on Sunday. I enjoyed the 15 day tournament.

My favorite sister was home for the weekend. She prepared pancakes as I was good in church.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello Dear Friends, Team Todd!

It was a VERY good week! Beginning with the events on Monday. Todd drove himself to his appointment with Dr. Mittal. He took notes with him to discuss some things and came home with instructions he understood. I was pleased to see Todd moving forward and taking ownership of his healthcare.

It was nice to have Libby home with us for a couple of days. Libby buoys us up with her encouragement to each of us. Everyone needs a Libby in their life.

AND! When Libby is with us, every meal is a celebration. Libby left us after a lovely breakfast of “Light and Fluffy” pancakes.

Todd and I are looking forward to the Maryland Brain Injury Conference, April 3,4. Libby and Ted will not be able to make the conference this year. Todd and I will drive back and forth the 2 days rather than stay overnight.

Thanks for staying with us. We so appreciate your thoughts, prayers and good works. Todd is amazing! Todd is beating this TBI inconvenience, BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE, TeamTodd. Stay with us.

 March 16, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Does a week pass without virtual flights?: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Lbqwxci1amhsRWgk3y1pmmuaboHq2nM/view?usp=sharing” I think you have to be a cyclist that likes the challenge of climbing hills to become a fanatic like I am.

I got my hairS cut this week – I am not bald!

I had dialogue with a Jim, a PE, I used to be employed with at Ridge Tood, about a concept that I had for joining pipes in accordance with AWWA-C606 many years back. I was openly hoping patent protection would be sought for my idea.

I enjoy programming – I am currently still working a blackjack game and I enjoy not having a deadline. There is always an explicit record of my activities. I am amazed that I still retain the knowledge I have of programming in C from my freshmen semester at Virginia Tech. I am aided by the Holy Spirit . I have no doubt that God’s help is evident in my code. I have never written a state machine but, I was inspired to do so.

I made a breakfast casserole on Saturday for Sunday morning and I was still expected to be good in church. I think that is so unfair to prepare the casserole myself and still behave in Church.

This week, I enjoyed viewing Sumo wrestling. I would like to see a power comparison between a Rkishi and pro cyclist in a short time trial.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello, TEAMTODD. Thank you for staying with us. Todd and I continue to write, hoping someone out there continues to read and perhaps we are offering encouragement to some.

Todd looks for opportunities to help around the house. I do appreciate his help and although I am particular (a curse) I am grateful and I encourage Todd.

Todd has an appointment with his PCP tomorrow (Medicare Wellness Visit) at 9:30 am. I have Water Aerobics at 9. So the plan is Todd will drive himself to his appointment with Dr. Mittal and my friend, Carolyn, will pick me up to take me to WA and bring me home. (Remember, we are a 2 car family) On Mondays, Ted leaves the house at 6 am for his gig.

Todd will do fine. He drives to his appointments and I ride in the passenger seat. He will enjoy the help of Ms. Garman and will give himself extra time.

Todd usually makes a list of questions/concerns he has to discuss with Dr. Mittal. I will miss out on the feedback. But! This adventure will be a good exercise for Todd …AND perhaps for me to open my hand and let go… DEAR FRIENDS! How easy it is to be in control! But letting go is the biggest hardship, the biggest challenge!!!!

Thank you for your continued interest.

 March 9, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

As usual, I completed virtual flights “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RjPXUUoLjNx5vuZ5u4oYJ9iPGpXteS03/view?usp=sharing” For me, riding my bike trainer integrated with flightgear is an exciting past time not exercise. But, I think, the activity caused bradycardia as it did for cyclist Miguel Indurain.

My blackjack game now writes a configuration file and now allows the game to skip the five or so configuration screens if the configuration file exists. Also, the file can be edited with a text editor like notepad.exe or Geany.

My critical to health supply of formally brominated fluid was restored by HRH this week: I am well taken care of.

I got two more hours of the thirty hours required every two years to retain my PE License.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello, TEAMTODD. It was an uneventful week for us, albeit the first week of Lent. Todd seems to welcome the time of personal sacrifice and fasting.

Todd has been going for a walk every day, a mile or so. Perhaps, that is part of his Lenten routine or maybe, he has been having hip pain and is looking for some help there with regular walking routines.

Todd continues to look for ways to be helpful around the house. Today, Todd aced sorting laundry (his cycling stuff)! Good Job, Kiddo!!!! Believe it or not, cycling stuff is a must every 5-6 days, second is all the bath towels, hand towels relating to cycling. BUT!!!! How grateful we are Todd keeps himself physically active!!!! I am sure it helps with his brain health.

Thanks for staying with us, TeamTodd. We continue to count on your prayers and well wishes and good works.

 March 2, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Since the last update was published, I completed 6 flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CpYtV4rpEWJq7wUfmrQNRfOb6uidyJhe/view?usp=sharing” I failed to complete the flight to Des Moines International (KDSM) on Saturday. I saved a replay so I could determine a root cause of the failure. A bad landing on a long wide airstrip that enables the airport to be labeled “international” is humiliating.

Also on Saturday, I resumed learning how to cook breakfast casseroles.

On Friday, I will view a webinar, ethics and failure, to obtain two hours toward renewing my PE Ohio License.

My effort to make a blackjack game has stalled as I am struggling to draw chips adjacent to each player’s cards to show their intended wager. In SDL, the screen’s coordinates start at the upper left corner of a window and positive X is the right of that coordinate and positive Y is below that corner. I know this but I can’t seem to remember this as I code. But, I still enjoy coding even though code does issue from me in torrents as it did in the past.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello, TEAMTODD. Thank you ALL for staying with us! I must say, I enjoy reading Todd’s weekly updates. Todd expresses himself very well. I wonder… If someone new was reading for the first time… would he or she realize Todd has a brain injury.

Todd’s injury is apparent in physical ways. You can see it in his walking ability, and his left side weakness especially with his left hand. My guess is that may be Todd’s biggest frustration, the use of his left hand, 2^nd only to cognitive fatigue.

Todd keeps on keeping on…

We need to find an outlet, a way for Todd to be around others, to communicate, to have a purpose to serve. Todd has much to offer and NEEDS outside connections. Please pray this week that we find, have some leads. Todd misses the communications he had at PSC. BUT! I am sure we can find other ways for Todd to be involved in the community and feel helpful. I will be looking into possibilities BUT need your prayers of encouragement and enlightenment.

Todd’s breakfast casserole was “Delish”! After Todd’s gets down pat the many Breakfast Casserole recipes, we will move on to cookies! These guys are spoiled. They have NEVER eaten store bought cookies. I think someone other than me should be able to make cookies.

Thank you, TEAMTODD, for staying with us. We would be lost in discouragement without you. You are the shining light that keeps us going in the right direction!