April 27, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/16LYonivTm60piA9TPgiDDemWADGZ2eZF/view?usp=sharing” I wish others would attempt this feat and find they enjoy the physical and mental challenges.

It is more than a week away, but I am already dreading the preparations for a MRI of my prostate.

I should spend more time developing my Blackjack game. At this moment, cards are dealt to the players and the dealer. The next step it to see if anyone has a blackjack and act on that outcome.

On Friday, I cooked Mahi-Mahi on a George Foreman grill. I thought I overcooked the fish. The instructions recommended a cooking time of more than 6 minutes; I took the overcooked fish off the grill at 3 minutes 30 seconds. There seems to be a concept that eating fish, properly handled but cooked in less than the recommended time will make you sick. Please comment if you think a fish handled in a responsible manner except was “under cooked” made you sick. Frankly, I think my concept goes for many proteins.

I have not yet blossomed into a more social survivor. Opinions like the one expressed above work against me, I think. That and my inability to time events in a typical manner…and my aversion to driving over the speed limit… and that I do not brush my teeth immediately before seeing the dentist...

St. Luigi, St. Carlo Acutis, Pray for us.

Hello, TEAMTODD. Thanks for staying with us. I enjoy reading Todd’s thoughts. The kid is a genius, albeit 2-3 hours a day. For those few hours we are grateful!!!! Trust me, we will work on finding ways and opportunities for Todd to be more social.

I find myself saying to Todd often, “There is nothing wrong with you” , after he comes across with some bit of wisdom or trivia to support one of his proclamations.

Happy belated Birthday (April 23) to Jana Savel and Katie Gecewich and John and Michael Savel (Twins)

 April 20, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Technically, this was a difficult week for completing virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eqegyqLZLuLnuO5lg1iDfu1cE0HVvF81/view?usp=drive_link” I had 2032 battery problems on two consecutive days with the Wahoo sensor. Finally, I purchased two new batteries from CVS and revived the sensor’s function. I am noticing that I am not generating the same speed I generated 6 months ago.

I enjoyed adding code to my interpretation of a blackjack game: the code I wrote now allows cards to be dealt one-at-a-time so they can be properly monitored by a card counter. The next step is deal two cards to the dealer.

This week I got my hairS cut. That same day I purchased beer, got more cash, and filled the car I occasionally drive with gas.

My favorite sister visited us for Easter. She gifted me a six pack of a special IPA.

I completed a walk about a mile about everyday of lent. Walking is not my preferred means physical exertion.

On Monday, I have the opportunity to earn three more hours towards renewal of my PE license.

St. Luigi, St. Carlos Acutis, Pray for us

 April 13, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I completed virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ityYTyfvmwgfX4DVlCck5IyF8Tl455GV/view?usp=sharing” I hope all of my readers could find a pastime that many conclude in physical exercise that is actually enjoyable. (Unlike completing five short arc quads). I posted another video I recorded on youtube :”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JMsp48YSa4&pp=ygURInBpIDUiIGZsaWdodGdlYXI%3D” I suppose many watchers simply want to watch me try not to sweat. My current form of nerdy entertainment requires a Raspberry Pi 5, large HDMI screen, a bike equipped with a rear wheel speed sensor, etc. I have not met anyone that frequently uses a bike trainer that does not couple their activity with watching a large screen. Let me know if you can.

I saw my urologist on Thursday. One of the tasks that occurs from turning 50, I think. The appointment came with additional tasks to complete. Now, I have to have a MRI and see Dr. Kurnot again in 6 months.

My dad is presently undergoing radiation and an oral chemo therapy for Prostate Cancer. Thus the reason for early screening for me.

I continue to code a blackjack game. My intent has always been to work on my short term memory issues.

Additionally, I am using Roark’s Formulas for Stress & Strain to better understand the mechanics of adding a groove onto a pipe.

HRH prepared a breakfast casserole on Saturday in anticipation of my good behavior in Church on Sunday . Whew!!!! That Palm Sunday Mass was a challenge BUT I made it through the long liturgy.

Also critical to my recovery , my supply of formerly brominated beverages was refreshed; I am well taken care of. I hope Mountain Dew is not subject to tariffs.

Hello, TEAMTODD! Thanks for staying with us. It has been a busy week for Todd and us. Todd likes his routines and anything outside of the “norm” causes him a bit of an upset. So, Todd did more lab work this week and of course, as he mentioned, his visit with Dr. Kurnot. We will be schedule an MRI for Todd this week.

As Todd mentioned, Ted is going thru radiation 5 times a week for 5 weeks plus is on some heavy duty medication. AND!!!! On top of all of that, Ted has come down with a very bad cold! It has not been a good week for the Westley men! But, TED is on the mend from the bad cold. And you know Ted, he continues to work thru his discomforts.

We are looking forward to a visit from LIBBY this week. She will arrive home on THURSDAY and be with us until Sunday. We enjoy and appreciate her company as she takes on tasks that need to be done as she sees them and we enjoy her cooking for us. I hope everyone has a Libby in their life. 

St. Luigi, St. Carlos Acutis, Pray for us

 April 6, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Happy Birthday to HRH. (My mother, Her Royal Highness ) HRH drove us to and from the 2025 BIAMd conference this year on both days. We did not stay in the hotel overnight as we have done in the past.

My social inabilities were made visible during the conference.

Here is a picture of the virtual flights I completed this week. “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TNUP215qHgGq9BHORa_dShfO_3IyEEvd/view?usp=sharing” I did not fly for two consecutive days so I could attend the conference.

My favorite sister came home to Rockville on Friday.

I continue to improve my code for the blackjack game. At this point I am trying to show dealt cards to each player, card by card at pace so the end user could count them.

I also continue to study Roark’s calculations for “shells of revolution” to better understand the stresses and deformations of a grooved pipe.

Back in the days preceding my brain injury, code and complex calculations seemed to roll off my fingertips (Remember, my typing speed was over 100 words per minute then). Now, I think through every detail methodically and type only 20 words per minute. Even my side of the update was written hours before it was posted.

My favorite sister and I behaved well enough in church to merit waffles, today.

Hello TEAMTODD! Thank you for staying with us. WHEW!!! It has been a couple of busy days!!!

Todd and I attended the annual Brain Injury Conference, Thursday and Friday. This was our 10^th year of participating. USUALLY, we book a hotel for the first night. Libby could not join us as usual and Ted could not so Todd and I drove up and back both days. NOT fun on I 695, 70 at rush hour to and from… We may rethink this next year… (Think 7am-to 7 pm)

The conference is VERY informative about the latest findings/treatment for TBI. AND Breakout Sessions concerning various topics are VERY good. BUT, It is a lot of info to take in. There was a bit of a pall, a darkness, kinda of, as each speaker talked. Funding has been lost for most further research for many TBI studies. Remember those first 3-4 years Todd benefited by his visits to NIH as a part of their studies. During those years, Todd and I has access to so many professionals who were anxious to help and to LEARN from US. We benefited from their expertise.

I learned in a Caregivers support group, families who benefit from the TBI waifer, Medicare and other gov’t funded sources are wondering how they will manage. NOT EVERYONE has the support Todd does. Emerson Electric took care of Todd and sent Todd into recovery rehab with their blessings. Few TBI survivors have that support to push them through a successful recovery.

I come away from these sessions, especially those sessions designated “Care Givers Only” feeling VERY humbled. Dear Friends , HOW BLESSED, HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE to have YOU supporting us with your prayers, your Caminos, your thoughts, your good works. Not every TBI survivor has such a team supporting him/her!

St. Luigi, Pray for us.

Soon to be Saint , Carlo Acutis, pray for us.