Thursday, April 30

Today the weather is still a little chilly and it rained a little this morning. We decided to drive up to New Jersey to visit Mr. Bichler's mother. It has been a while since we saw her last. We had a very nice visit and she really enjoyed seeing how much Luke had grown. We had lunch at the Keystone Diner because it is Grammy's favorite. I think she was also very relieved to see that Mr. B was looking so good.

Wednesday, April 29

Today we got the weather you had yesterday. Cold, about 51 degrees and rainy. Mr. Bichler did get some of his favorite cherry cheese danish from Byler's Market. We also watched the squirrels enjoy the peanuts in the feeder that we hung yesterday. Tomorrow we will be driving to New Jersey to see Mr. B's mom.

Tuesday, April 28

We arrived in Dover, Delaware around 3:15 pm about 9 hours after we left home. It was a long but beautiful drive and the red bud trees in Maryland were all in full bloom. The first thing Luke did was to show us all of his toys which took quite a while. Then we hung the squirrel feeder that Mr. Bichler and I have been working on for the last week. We finally finished it yesterday afternoon. Since Luke has been feeding the squirrels cheezits on his deck we thought we would help him out. Hopefully we will get some pictures of a squirrel using the feeder! Hope to get to the beach after the rain moves through.

Saturday, April 25

What a glorious day for a ball game. Mr. Bichler got free tickets to the Spring game from his therapist. Patients from both Martha Morehouse and Dodd Hall were invited to attend this years OSU Spring game. We had great seats near the tunnel and next to the band. We even watched most of the OSU/Notre Dame lacrosse game.

Thursday, April 23

What a great day to get things done outside. Even though I did get my hair cut and colored this morning. So when you see me next you may not recognize me. No it isn't pink or anything crazy, just back to my once natural color. This afternoon we cleaned one of our fish ponds and tomorrow we will tackle the upper pond that has all of Mr. Bichler's prized KOI (a fancy name for carp)! Then I put down some mulch while waiting for the pond to fill. We decided that we just could not wait until May and began mowing part of our very large yard. Mr. B even helped out. We started out on a strip that is pretty level and treeless to see how he would do. He did great mowing with our turf ranger and it did wonders for his confidence. Tomorrow we have another doctor appointment but it is with his primary care physician in London so it shouldn't take long. Hope everyone gets out to enjoy the great weather!

Wednesday, April 22

Not too much to write about yesterday so I thought I would wait until we had our appointment with our favorite (and only) neurosurgeon, Dr. McGregor. Dr. McGregor was extremely pleased with Mr. B's progress and said that everything seems to be recovering at a very good rate. He explained that neurons in the brain take much longer to heal than cells in other parts of the body. He thinks that from looking at the last CT scan that there is no reason we shouldn't be looking at a near complete recovery with very few deficits. The vision cut would be one exception but he feels that the brain will help to compensate for the deficiency. Continued outpatient therapy will help with memory issues and increase strength and endurance. On May 6 we will see another doctor who will look at Mr. Bichler's current medications and see if any changes would be beneficial. After all of the good news, we treated ourselves to a late lunch at York Steak House. Tips and shrimp were Mr. B's pick of the day and a nice visit with Jay topped off an already great day!

Monday, April 20

At least it wasn't a pretty day because we spent our whole day at therapy and a doctors appointment. We left home at 10:15 and arrived back home at 5:15. We were late to therapy as we got stopped by the longest train ever on Trabue Rd. Plus Mr. Bichler doesn't like Monday therapy because it runs through lunch, 11-2 p.m. He looks at his watch the entire morning. I seem to remember that he took the clock out of his old room so students couldn't stare at the clock! At 1:45 we had to drive to the OSU Medical Center, every parking garage was full so we valet parked, however we went to the wrong building so we took the tunnel to the main hospital. We checked in and waited another hour before we got in to see the doctor. It was Dr. Meis and Dr. Thomas, both gastroenterologists that I had not met. Dr. Thomas had put the food tube in when Mr. B was in surgical intensive care following the first surgery. I never get tired of watching doctor's reactions when they see how great Mr. B looks compared to what he looked like when they saw him right after the accident. Dr. Thomas just shook his head in disbelief. Mr. B has to go back in 2 weeks for a EGD which looks inside the esophagus to see if the inflammation is gone. On the way home we stopped at Culver's for a long over due lunch/supper and treated ourselves to a custard. Once home we both crashed for the evening.

Friday, April 17

Boy, today was even prettier than yesterday. We put down some grass seed in the morning as well as planting 4 rows of sweet corn. I still think it is a little early to plant corn but if it comes up we will be the first on the road with sweet corn! Mrs. Omen came out for a visit and it was really great catching up. Tomorrow we will start putting mulch in the flower beds and it sounds like it is going to be another beautiful day. I love this time of the year when the wild flowers are blooming. This evening I saw our resident female red-tail hawk sitting on her nest. I also saw a Myrtle warbler and the Virginia blue bells were coming up everywhere.

Thursday, April 16

What a beautiful day! Therapy this morning was spent working on directions, organizing and becoming familiar with his medications and kitchen safety. After therapy we decided to try out the new Montgomery Inn that just opened on 161 in Dublin. It wasn't too crowded and the food was delicious. I had the pulled pork sandwich and Mr. B had a slab of ribs. Around 4:30 we went down to watch the MS track meet. We also watched a little of the HS girls softball game. As soon as we walked on the track and saw the kids, Mr. Bichler said that this is what he misses. He really enjoyed seeing everyone, thanks to all of you that came up to say hello. We also enjoyed talking with some of the teachers that we had not seen in a while and to Coach Vargo from Jon Alder. He actually used to teach with us at the middle school way back in the day! We still plan to see a softball and baseball game.

Wednesday, April 15

Since it was rainy this morning we decided to go to Meijers to pick up our mulch. 25 bags of it so when it warms up we will have something to do. Lunch at Frisches and home in time to watch the Cubs. Guess life is pretty good!

*We saw Cubs pitcher Gregg Maddux pitch at this game, can you name the ball park?

Tuesday, April 14

Although it was a rainy, dreary morning, it was a perfect day to observe the new baby elephant. He sure is cute! Mr. Bichler stayed at home since I get to the zoo around 7 a.m. to fix the aviary diet. He made himself a big breakfast, complete with sausage, eggs and hash browned potatoes and a simpler lunch of mushroom soup. A big step of independence. If it stops raining we plan to make it to a few games at the middle school. See you around!

Monday, April 13

Yesterday I forgot to mention that two favorites of mine had returned from their journeys south. A barn swallow and a chipping sparrow. Bet that makes your day. We had a long therapy session this morning but what the hey, it was raining any way! In addition to his 3 therapies he also met with Dr. Pruitt to talk about the changes that have occurred since the accident. Because brain injuries typically take a year or longer to heal it is important to monitor the mental status throughout the process. We really like Dr. Pruitt or "Doc" as Mr. Bichler calls him. He was the first Dr. to talk with him on his first day at Dodd Hall. After therapy Mr. B picked up his wedding band and it fits perfectly. Then he had his new favorite meal at Friday's, a BBQ sirloin and French onion soup. Tomorrow I plan to work at the zoo for a few hours and maybe get my first look at the baby elephant. I'll try to get a picture to share with you.

Sunday, April 12

Saturday we decided to make our first Flea Market run. So we headed down to Caesar's Creek. It never did warm up much in the morning so we didn't really spend a lot of time and there wasn't much there. Our treasures included 12 pr. of jersey work gloves and 3 tomatoes. We took a scenic route on the way home taking Rt. 68 up to Springfield and salvaged the day with a large pizza from Cassano's. This morning I was up early to attend our Sunrise service and surprised to see a beautiful moon in the sky as I was leaving home. Our youth had a very nice early service, the men provided a great breakfast complete with sweet rolls from Der Dutchman, followed by a moving Easter service with wonderful music. Our Easter dinner was held at my brother's and we all ate until we couldn't eat another bite. The ham was delicious but Asher thought Peeps were the perfect appetizer with chocolate bunnies for dessert. Glad we didn't have to take him home with us! Oh, and we planted our peas, green beans and cabbage today so we didn't have to feel guilty for eating that coconut bunny cake.

Thursday, April 9

Up at 7 a.m. to get ready for therapy. On the arm bicycle and step up bike by 9. Lots of reasoning puzzles in speech and a computer program to test reaction time and brain processing speed in O.T. The latter computer program is to help assess readiness for skills needed to drive. Mr. Bichler has identified his 2 major goals as being able to drive again and getting back to work. The therapists then formulate a plan to help Mr. B achieve his goals. I am constantly amazed at everything that can be done to rehabilitate traumatic brain injuries. What's more is that I know so little about something that affects an estimated 1.4 million Americans every year. And because TBIs are often misdiagnosed that estimate may be low. It is believed that 10-20% of our Marines and soldiers returning from Afgan and Iraq may have experienced a TBI. Well, I just read in a magazine that March was TBI Awareness month so I am doing my part even if it is April. I pray that everyone will have a wonderful weekend. We still are hoping to get out to some ball games in the next few weeks as the weather warms, hope to see lots of smiling faces!

Wednesday, April 8

Another productive day. Getting a lot done around the house and it turned out to be a pretty nice day as well. Since I finished the bathroom downstairs, I've decided to finish some unfinished work in the bathroom upstairs. Mr. B helped me get the old vanity out so we could set it out for tomorrow's trash. I did a little prep work so hopefully I can get started painting tomorrow after outpatient therapy. After lunch today we went to Davis's Seed store in London and picked up some cabbage plants and our seeds for the garden. We also priced mulch, another project on the docket. When we got home, we put the fertilizer on the garden so it is good to go! Now we are just settling in to watch the Cubs and the Blue Jackets. Guess I better wake Mr. B, it's time for the 1st pitch. Must have worked him too hard today!

*Wish we were in the Everglades for spring break! Think we will settle for Hawaii later this summer and see Sara and Matt!!

Tuesday, April 7

Other than this nasty cold weather, things continue to move forward in a positive way. Mr. Bichler is getting anxious to start planting our garden. It's going to have to get a lot warmer before I help plant anything when it is snowing outside. I did finish up the sanding and painting in the bathroom. When I get the trim boards and towel rack put back the project will be completed. Yea!! I hope everyone is enjoying their spring break. We are looking forward to the return of warm weather so we can get to some ball games and track meets. Mr. B is getting bored at home and quite frankly...he is driving me crazy! (although he would say "that's not a drive, it's a short walk!)

Palm Sunday, April 5

WOW! What a difference a week and a little warm weather can make. Mr. Bichler wanted to go to Lowe's on Friday to get lawn fertilizer and some grass seed so that is where we spent the morning. Saturday, Mr. Boyd came over while I went to the zoo to work a few hours. I thought that maybe some work would get done...but no, they went to York Steak House for lunch, came home and watched the NCAA basketball games. Guess who was tilling the garden this afternoon? Amazingly, Mr. B did some of the tilling. We took turns so he wouldn't get too tired. All that physical therapy must be paying off. I think he is getting stronger every day and I know he feels better when he can get outside and work in the yard and garden. For an old farm boy, it's the best therapy in the world!

Thursday, April 2

Up early today for outpatient therapy at 9 a.m. Really worked a lot on some of the weaker core muscle groups as well as re-taking the Berg balance test. (scored a 53/56) Worked on a stepper machine and also a weight exercise program for arm and shoulder muscles. After therapy we went to Tuttle and had lunch at Friday's thanks to a gift card compliments of our friends and fellow staff members at school. Then we saw a jeweler about re-sizing Mr. Bichler's wedding ring. They had to take it off for surgery but now he can't get it on. His ring was a size 9 and his knuckle is a size 11. We also walked through Sears to look at tools and then came home. Mr. B is still napping so I guess the shopping really wore him out.

*Not sure which basketball team this is but I think it is 74 or 75. Coaches are Mr. Bichler and Mr. Ridewood (taught 8th grade English before Mr. Mere).