Friday, July 2d - Jeannie this AM, good. Now around 11:00 AM and just came in from the pond. Got a patch for my right eye yesterday. Contac is on order but I couldn’t wait. Difference is amazing. Tilt tendency is going away. Going to take a few weeks to go away completely. But I just want to sit straighter and hold my head straighter. I am sure this contributed greatly to my trouble with walking/balance issues. Can’t wait for therapy to start back up. Waiting for the OK from workers comp. which will take another week or two, at least. Until then, lots of mall walking, I am sure. Now it’s 11:15 and Karen is giving Krissy a bath. Wow, everything is smoother, almost normal, from eating and reading to typing and seeing distances. Waking? Hmmm.

Saturday, July 3d - Vicki in AM, good. Horse show day. Carrie’s horse club put on a horse show at the county fairgrounds. Entry was good and Carrie did good. A 1st,5th, and 7th. Most of her classes had 10 or 15 entries. Was also a BBQ, good also. Home around 4:00 or 5:00. Karen gave me a shower and cards/computer, then bed.

Sunday, July 4th - No aid because Karen wanted Vicki to enjoy the holiday too. Karen handled it all. Now it’s 10:00 AM and I have been computing and journaling. Man, I am amazed at what a difference the eye patch makes. Wearing it all the time now. Have decided that because they are so expensive, I will only wear my black Contac out in public and then not very often. Patch doesn’t bother me, it’s the impact on other people I am trying to avoid. Going to be my “badge”.

Monday, July 5th - Today is the 1st “balanced” day of the rest of my life. One in which I have an outlook on the rest of the day. Follow up is SO IMPORTANT. I was prescribed an eye patch by a Doctor a long time ago, but didn’t wear it. I really feel that is what was stopping my therapy from progressing. Mike was great and water therapy was the right thing for me in the beginning. But when they handed me a cane 2 or 3 weeks ago and I was really struggling with it in the water, we both new that was the end for me. Now I can see that it was a balance problem which, I hope and feel, has been solved by my patch and I am ready to walk, with or without a cane. Thank God for Karen's noticing my “lean”. Other than that, I may have been in this chair forever. Most everyone else thought the lean was natural or didn’t want to say anything. Day has been good. Karen's mom came over in the afternoon so Karen could nap. Went out to Applebee's with Krissy for dinner, then to Borders where I got a couple CD’s and Karen got a couple books. Then some errands and home about 10:30 or 11:00. Then backgammon and bed.

Tuesday July 6th - Rich called off sick so Karen handled me in the AM. Her dad came around 9:30 and the Edwin Shaw Recreation program came at 10:00 as planned. By 10:30, 5 or 6 people had lines in the pond fishing. A couple of outpatients with kids and staff came. Kristen had fun with the young ones, showing them the pony, swing set, etc. Was 70's and slightly breezy all day. They left after the picnic lunch, having had a good time. I didn’t fish much, held the poles a couple times and never caught anything. Everyone else caught a couple or more. Biggest was about a foot long bass. After they left, backgammon and computer. Now it’s 3:30. Continuing to wear the eye patch and can notice my balance improving. Went to the monthly meeting for my freemasonry lodge. We are merging with another lodge. They offered to let me be an officer, I used to be Master of the lodge. Not sure if I will be able to do the memory work, there is lots of it. Time will tell. Home late, bed early.

Wednesday, July 7th - Kim this morning, good. Edwin Shaw called to let us know that Workers Comp approved my physical therapy and my wheelchair evaluation, cool. Have to call them in the morning to schedule everything. Went to Medina courthouse today to get Karen's accounting for my guardianship approved. I talked first with Karen and my lawyer briefly about the need to have me classified as mentally incompetent. Decided not to argue about that now, maybe next time. Now it’s 9:30 and dinner and sunset were both very nice. Karen is outside with Krissy and the pony and Carrie is upstairs, computing. Tomorrow, we are going to Masons day at the Akron Aeros ballpark with Terry, my former aid, and his wife or son. Looking forward to it.

Thursday, July 8th - Jeanie this AM, good. Now, it’s 11:30 and I just came in from the pond/yard. Rays this afternoon, then the ball game tonight. Ray’s was good. Spent some time talking about Karen's over extension. Ball game was good. The Aeros won in the 8th inning by scoring 3 or 4 runs. Until then, it was a 1 run difference. Close game, for the 1st 7 innings. Terry and his wife were very grateful, not only for the game/evening, but for our referral of them to Attorney Larry Vuillemin for a potential lawsuit over the handling of their daughters’ stroke. He had one at a young age too and, like them, is a born again Christian. Home around 10:30 or 11:00. Checked my e-mail, then bed.

Friday, July 9th - Jeanie again this morning. Good. Then I went in the yard, by the pond, but a good 10 feet away from the edge. Now, it’s 11:15 and I have been computing for a while. Karen and Krissy are upstairs, I can hear them. Karen called Edwin Shaw, appointments for PT (physical therapy) evaluation and wheelchair evaluation are Thursday. Can’t wait for PT to start back up. Next step on way to walking.

Saturday, July 10th - Kim in the AM, good. Terry, from lodge, and a friend came over with the model sailboat I bought a couple months ago, assembled, and, after some problems were solved, I was sailing it on the pond. Had to miss Mel Ballinger's funeral service because Terry wasn’t done in time and his friend, who was doing most of the work and knew much more, was from out of town and wouldn’t be back soon. After a cookout on the porch for dinner and a beautiful sunset, walked in the yard and driveway to get ready for mall walking tomorrow. Went with Karen, late, to the grocery store. Home, computer, then bed.

Sunday, July 11th - Kim again, good. Went mall walking in the morning with my mom, Karen and Krissy. Been a few weeks since last time and wore out a little easier, but I did it. Came home and ate lunch and computed. Now, it’s 2:00. Plans are - computing and outside until we leave for Church/bible study at 4:30. Weather is glorious, partly cloudy and lower 80's with a slight breeze. Church was good, as usual. Bible Study too. Late dinner, home and bed after some computer.

Monday, July 12th - Jeanie this AM, good. Remembered my 1st dream this morning. Something about being posed for a picture but it doesn’t matter what it was about, what matters is that I realized it was a dream and remembered it. 1st time since my accident. Went to get my wheelchair checked out, it had been shutting itself off. They couldn’t find anything and it has been OK this afternoon. We’ll see. After lunch now and Karen is at counseling. Carrie is upstairs babysitting. Went for a stroll/walk down River Styx Rd, after dinner with Karen and Krissy,. Watched the sunset there. Home, computer and bed..

Tuesday, July 13th - Donna in AM, an aid from some time ago. Good. After breakfast, went to the eye doctors for my annual checkup. Supposed to be annual anyway, however missed last year and nobody noticed. Got a new contact for my left eye and verified the occluder for my right eye is on order. Home for lunch, then I called and arranged for Terry, from lodge, to come over for the afternoon and evening because Karen is going to a horse show and taking her Carrie and Krissy with her. Terry and I played cards and computed and sailed my model sailboat. Pizza for dinner. The girls came home around 10:00. Carrie did well, A 1st, 3d, 5th,8th and some other good placings. Bed around 12:00.

Wednesday, July 14th - Vicki hit a horse with her car, so no aid. I let Karen sleep until 8:30. Then I got up and did my normal exercises. Worked on our budget for most of the afternoon. The new left contact is great. My distance vision is much better. The Dr. even said my vision had improved slightly? Now it’s 11:00 and I am about ready for bed. Tomorrow is Edwin Shaw day. Physical Therapy evaluation at 10:00 AM and right after, going to have my chair reviewed. Can’t wait.

Thursday, July 15th - Jeanie this AM, good. Edwin Shaw this morning for my PT evaluation. They are recommending 3 times per week for 1 hour each time. Karen and I are very happy with that. For water therapy the approvals were renewed every 6 weeks. I am assuming the same will apply now. The therapist asked me what my goal was and I said walking. She seemed happy with that and said that would be her goal too. Lunch was good and Barb is here now so Karen can nap. The chair evaluation was put off so we can make sure a vendor is there.

Monday, July 19th - Computer went down Thursday night or Friday and John Strong fixed it. It went down yesterday and I fixed it. So, no entries on Friday or over the weekend. Had Jeannie on Friday, good. Patty over the weekend, good too. She may be coming to the Dead with us since I haven’t heard anything from Rich in the last 2 weeks. She may end up with his ticket. Her, Terry and I should have a really good time. The seats are great, front and center section. May be 15 or 20 rows back, but they are wheelchair accessible. Concert is week from Wednesday. Can’t wait. Went out for dinner to Applebee’s with my mom and Karen and Krissy on Friday. Yesterday was park and Church and Bible study. Weather was great each day, upper 70's and sunny. Late rain last night though. Neither Karen or I can remember Saturday? Jeanie this morning, good. Computer and journal until now, lunchtime. Barb came over in the afternoon so Karen could nap. I spent a lot of time outside, by the pond and on the computer. Spaghetti for dinner, then computer and bed.

Tuesday, July 20th - Rich came in the morning. He’s back. His brother got injured by a mine in Iraq and he was visiting him for the last week or so, at Uncle Sam’s expense, thank you. Ray’s for counseling at 10 and Rotary at 11:30. Went to a movie with Karen after Rotary. I Robot was the name and it was excellent Sci-Fi. Home and computer until dinner, which was chicken. It rained this morning so no outside, too wet. Now it’s 9:30. I sure would like to know if anyone finds my journal useful/interesting or if this is just self-indulgent. So please e-mail me if so.

Wednesday, July 21st - Vicki in AM. Good. Hung out inside most of day, rainy. Went out right before dinner and when I was coming in, the wheels/axle on my chair broke out in the garage right on the ramp.. Karen, with Carries help, transferred me to the manual wheelchair and brought me inside. Easy for me to say but was lots of work for them. Between my chair and me, together, we exceed 450 lbs. They are both small girls. Spent most of the evening screwing around with it.

Thursday, July 22d - Jeanie in AM, good. Karen called the wheelchair place 1st thing. It’s now 3:00 and we are waiting still for their answer to our request for a loaner. Getting excited about the Grateful Dead concert next Wednesday at Blossom Music Center. Terry, a former aid, is taking me. He’s taken me to a couple other concerts, anything that Karen isn’t a fan of. I have great seats, front and center section. Can’t wait. I have been a fan for the last 30 years but only seen them once or twice before. Listening to them right now, in fact, over the internet. Sent an e-mail about TBI’ers to the Dead site. They acknowledged the e-mail and thanked me for alerting them to TBI’ers. Went shopping for Carrie’s trip in the evening. She is going to Mexico with a Church group of around 60 others to help re-build housing. Should be good for her and fun.

Friday, July 23d - Jeanie in AM, good. Got the loaner wheelchair, great. Better in the yard too. After lunch now and waiting for tonight. We are going to Hardesty Park in West Akron to see my niece and her new husband dance with the Ohio Ballet.

Saturday, July 24th - Got home from the concert around 11 or 12. Was very good. Around 300 people saw it with us. Wow, little Katie. My 1st niece. I remember her as a baby. Karen and I were newlyweds. Now, she’s a ballerina, 23 years old.

Sunday, July 25th - Kim again this AM, good. Went to Art in the Park and Ohio Ballet yesterday too, almost all day. Art in the Park was good, as was the ballet, the crowd was even bigger. Home around 11 again. Now I’m letting Karen and Krissy sleep in. Carrie left for Mexico at 5 this morning. It’s now10 in the morning. After lunch, I got a shower and around 5, went to church and bible study. Home around 9, computer and bed.

Monday, July 26th - No aid. Jeanie overslept. Karen handled getting me up. Bob Freed, our insurance man, was here in the morning. Now it’s 1:30. 120 is now my IQ according to what Edwin Shaw told Karen. Don’t know how they figured it, but they did. Used to be higher before my TBI, but still above normal. Computed in afternoon. No Edwin Shaw tomorrow because workman’s Comp has yet to approve it. Went with Karen in the van just to get out of the house. Computed in the evening, then bed early.

Tuesday, July,27th - Donna in AM, good. Getting excited about the Dead concert . Workman’s Comp called and approved my therapy. Karen called and scheduled my 1st appointment for Thursday. Cool. I’m going to learn to walk. May take a month or 4 months, don’t really care as long as it happens. Also cool, Ohio mobility called and my wheelchair is repaired. Getting it back tomorrow, before the concert. Rainy, but clearing up. Weather is supposed to be good for the concert. Skipped Rotary and computed/hung out waiting for tomorrow. Bed early.

Wednesday, July 28th - Vicki in morning, good. Went to Ohio Mobility and picked up my chair. after lunch. Back around 3:30 or 4:00. Computed until Terry and Brian came over and left for Blossom around 5. In chairs by 6:30 and opening act, Warren Hayes, came on stage for an hour+ until 7:40. The Dead took the stage at 7:45 and kicked but until 11:15, 3 and 1/2 hours. They took a couple small breaks but basically played their buts off for around 3 hours. Amazingly good R&R. 4 guitarists, 2 drummers and a keyboard man, 7 guys total. Warren is the "new" Jerry Garcia and played for 3 more hours. Seats were great, 15th row and slightly right of center. Slightly elevated too, which helped because the crowd, which was a good size, was on their feet , dancing, for most of the time. Handicap parking was also cool and up close which helped leaving. Home before 1:30 even though we dropped Brian off at home in Orrville on the way.

Thursday, July 29th - Jeannie in AM, good as usual. Took it a little easy on my exercises because she new how late we were out. Now it’s 10:00 and Don is mowing the lawn. Karen is sleeping because Krissy kept her up late and we got home late also. She didn’t get to bed until sometime after 2:15, which is when I conked out. I got only 4 hours of sleep. I’ll have to nap before my 1st PT. I did, to no avail. Somebody goofed up and instead of canceling Tuesday due to Worker’s comp, like they told us, they cancelled the whole week. Now, the 1st appt. for my PT is next Tuesday. I had a very interesting e-mail exchange with the OSU department on TBI’s. I will reprint it.