I can see!

For the first time since the incident, I can see clearly and read easily. I lost my reading glasses in the upset and yesterday Kaiser called to tell me my new glasses are in. I ran some errands on the way over and now I can see clearly. (Doesn't that sound like a country song?)
Todays walk was at a slower pace. "From a Distance" by author Judy Gold. Bette Midler also recorded this one. The pace and philosophy are just what I needed.
Yesterday I had the neck brace off most of the day as I ran errands. Today I pay the price. My neck muscles are very sore so today I'll wear the brace most of the day, removing it just to do the physical therapy.
For those who want to see a real life hero, just look at this photo. It is Dick DeBoer, the EMT who saved my life, with his twin daughters. There he is with big brother Bob at the City Council meeting where Dick was presented with a proclamation for being there when he was needed. Thanks again Dick (and Bob for the photo)

It's all in the rhythm

Now that have the iPod back I can take it on my daily walks. Today I walked in perfect time to Kris Kristoffeson's "Sunday Morning Comin' Down", and "The Pilgrim Chapter 33" from whence cometh the words "He's a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction" talking about Ramblin Jack.
Today was the best walk yet.
I'm off to meditate
Dick

The brace is off (sort of)

Today was the day to remove the neck brace. My physical therapist suggested I wear it intermittently to bring the neck muscles back to normal a little at a time. On-Off-On-Off, a few hours at a time.
The reason for removing the brace was to enable me to drive. The brace restricted my side to side visibility. I wanted to go to the the Apple Store at the Brea Mall to evaluate my broken iPod. It had stopped working when I was in the hospital.
As it turned out I had parked as far from the Apple Store as possible. And I had forgotten my cane. It was the longest walk since the incident. But it paid off when I was told that all it needed was a fresh charge! That saved $300.
Just after noon, brother Bob showed up for his weekly visit. And a few minutes later Buck, the physical therapist showed up. After Bob left Buck & I went for a shortened walk. We walked about half the distance I have been walking just to show off my endurance after the Mall walk.
The penalty for both walks and the drive was that I fell asleep after he left and awoke two hours later.
But it's progress!

Dick

The photo here was taken at the scene of the incident. That's me on the ground having my life extended by Dick DeBoer. For some reason I feel a real attachment to this particular photo. It's the one that was projected at the City Council meeting where Dick D was presents with his proclamation.
On other news, the neck brace comes off tomorrow. Then I can drive again for short distances. I'll take it for for short periods and probably sleep with it on for the next week or so just in case.
Each day I walk about 50 feet further. When I take a day off I walk the same distance as the day before but NEVER less. I'm feeling stronger every day. Today I needed a copy of something. I figured it was about as far to the drug store around the corner as I've been walking lately so off I went. It was a struggle but I made it. And the damned copy machine was out of order. Damnit!

The latest progress

Today is Monday. Last Thursday we took the dogs to Huntington Beach to play in the surf. Sam took to it like a dog to water. Bob (the dog) didn't enjoy it at all and Daisy didn't go in the water but enjoyed the sand. I sat and watched the entire episode while Rick and Karen served as dog wranglers on the beach. It was good to be at the beach again.
The daily walks are getting longer each day. And I'm getting stronger each day.
Rick, Karen and the dogs left for Davis on Saturday so I'm alone again. Easter was quiet. About an hour after they left, Budda came out of the bedroom to join me in the living room and an hour later even Tigger came out of hiding to sit at my elbow while I watched TV.
The neck brace comes off on Wednesday. Then it comes off a few hours at a time. It is almost comfortable after all this time. But I won't miss it. Then I can drive the car and ride the bike (carefully).
Once again I want to thank both Deb and Rick for saving my life. I couldn't have done it without them. Thanks for all the help and encouragement. I get tears in my eyes whenever I remember the feeling of relief that swept over me when I first saw Deb come around the corner when I woke up. Then I knew everything would be all right. Or all the plumbing and gardening Rick did while he was here. Or the mothering Karen did to keep me sane. I, the cats and the house are back to normal. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
And I have to express my gratitude for those who prayed, meditated or otherwise remembered me through the incident.
It's a great day for flying.
Dick

Getting old is not for sissies

Yesterday was my appointment day for my primary doctor and an eye exam. The treatment I got from Kaiser was second to none but keeping these appointments was a pain. Check in and wait... be escorted into an exam room and wait... then the exam which was the only efficient part of the system. That's the bad news. The good news is that I'm well and healthy. He did change my medications but not greatly. He wants me to wear an heart monitor for a day to see if any fibrillations occur in my heart beat. That's the reason for the Digitoxin in the first place. He wants to know whether the abnormality in the heart rate at the hospital was a part of growing older or the result of trauma from the incident.
Other than that I surely got my quota of exercise walking here and there and back again.
Rehabilitation progress is excellent.
The weather today is overcast predicted to clear later. Rick and I will take the dogs to Huntington Beach to play in the surf. It will be the first time I've seen the beach since the incident. I hope the sun comes out.
It's too cloudy for flying.
Dick

EAA again!

Satuday afternoon at 2 pm the Corona chapter of the EAA held its meeting. Rick drove me out there and we were able to park right in front of the hangar. Old friends, sights and smells. Right there in the back of the hangar was an EAA biplane being restored. The topic of the meeting was about a guy who flew around the country in a Cub. His chosen altitude was 800 feet above the ground. Very interesting.
It was nice to see how may of the attendees have been reading this blog.
I'm still increasing my walking distance about 40-50 yards each day. It is surely a sight to behold ; this crippled guy on a cane led by three wild dogs on leash.
Old friend Mike Sasnett called today and we had a nice chat. Mike is almost retired now and is converting a Porsche 914 into an electric vehicle! It's amazing what some people will build in their garage.

Dick

My neurosurgical check up

My neurosurgical check up went perfectly. Rick drove me up to the Sunset Kaiser where the neurosurgeon has his office to check up on the condition of the neck surgery. We left home at 7:30am for an 11 am appt. I wanted to be there in lots of time. The first thing was to get and x-ray of my neck. When Dr. Hoang looked at it he was astonished at the excellent progress. I guess the meditating (or some thing) is working. Anyway he approved removal of the collar two weeks early, about March 26.
Freedom at last!!
We had a chance to visit with Deb ( a true Angel of Mercy) while we were in the area. Good times. Thanks again Deb!
We got home to Fullerton late afternoon. As we were starting dinner, I had a pain in my chest. I figured if it was not better by morning we'd do something about it. Rick was concerned enough to convince me to have it checked out in the emergency room NOW. Sooo, off we went at about 7 pm , after a long day already. We expected delay but Jeeez! Five and a half hours later we found that I had had a reflux of stomach acid into my throat causing the pain. My heart is in great shape. But the examination was thorough. Top to bottom. Everything but a CT scan. So I'm home again with a clean bill of health.
Proving once again that 'Getting old is not for sissies."
I'm still walking about 400 yards each day.

Dick

Mea Culpa

Ever since the incident of December 28 I have been unable to understand what happened. I know I had a full tank of gas (16 gal) which at the rate of 6 gal/ hour should have lasted 2.7 hours. I thought I had flown an hour and forty five mins. which should have left me plenty of gas. A check of the GPS indicated I had flown for 2.0. hours which should have left me nearly 3/4 gal of gas or 45 mins. of flight. But the tank WAS dry and no odor of gas was around the plane after the incident. That means I was using 16/2.03= 7 gal/hour actually used. A little high but enough to convince me I indeed ran out of gas!
The good news is that since I had no gas left I couldn't have burned to death.
Mea culpa. El stupido piloto.

Dick

Rehab Update

Rick and Karen are here from Davis for two weeks. This visit stimulated my mid to recalll the effort I made to eliminate terrorism from the Flabob airport. Each day I was in attendance at Flabob I rode the bike around the airport searching for terrorists or terrorist plots. My diligence paid off. No terrorist plots were uncovered during that period (or since for that matter).
Since my return home have decided to assume the same position along the Wilshire corridor. I am proud to say the no terrorists have been found nor have any plots been uncovered due to my unswerving observation.
Success in George Bush's War on Terror!! I'm dong my part.
Today in the course of performing my Terrorist Reduction Efforts (TRE) I walked about 400 yards with son Rick along with his dogs to sniff out any problems. I can report that no problems were encountered.

Dick (We could be flying today)

A little further each day

I try to walk a little further each day building up endurance. Each day I walk about 50 feet further than the day before. I'm feeling stronger each day.
I get confused by my inability to remember some words and phrases. Someone suggested it's because I suffered a concussion (among other things) when the incident occurred but it feels like I'm starting to suffer from old age amnesia. It's getting better but is worrisome. Typing is also a problem being beset by transposition of letters within words. I spend almost as much time correcting errors as I do typing the words originally.
EAA Chapter One has their monthly meeting tomorrow (Sunday). Since Rick will be here, maybe we'll drive out to visit. I'll check the plane while we're out there.
Rick should arrive this afternoon for a two week stay to help me rehab. It should be a good visit.
Budda is still suffering from separation anxiety staying close to me at all times even sleeping on the foot of my bed every night. Even standoffish Tigger is more approachable since the incident. Maybe she realizes how fragile life is.
The weather today is CAVU,
Dick

Another day, another chore

Another day, another chore. This morning I got up to take care of my morning ablutions. When I entered the bathroom I discovered the floor was flooded. It turned out that the connection to the shutoff valve was spraying water all over the floor. And me limited by this #@$@$ collar. And all my tools still out at Flabob. I did find a wrench in the garage so I cranked that baby tight and it seems to be holding.
Then to breakfast and a meditation period and it's only 8 am.
I'm off to watch Democracy Now on DirecTV.
11:45 am I'm back . Deb has come and gone. We got a lot of paperwork completed and did some shopping.
Next visitor will be son Rick who will be here on Saturday for a two week stay.
It's a beautiful day for flying!
Dick

Recuperation from the incident

Notice the use of the word 'incident'. I use it so as not to offend anyone who might shy away from the more tragic 'accident' much the same way as our (?) government uses it to describe the tradgedy unfolding in Iraq.
Maryanne recently suggested that Tom and other old friend Mike Story may drive down for a visit. What a great surprise that should be.
The recuperation continues. I stopped measuring the distance but do go 20 - 0 yards further each day. On the few days I've done it twice I go the same distance both times.
Saturday son Rick will be down to oversee my recuperation for a few weeks. He'll act as overseer, driver and important decision referencee while daughter Deb takes a short vacation in Las Vegas with husband Rick.
I'm sure Rick will bring one or more of his dogs. The cats experienced his dogs when he visited a few years ago but I'm sure they'll take it in stride. They've recently survived worse. It should be fun.
It's a beautiful day for flying
Dick

Slow but sure.

Each day I try to walk about 25 yards further than the day before. I chose not to walk yesterday because of the sprinkles. I was afraid to get wet!
Other than that, I fix my own meals and live life day to day.
Deb calls each day to make certain I'm still moving. Home Security agent Laura stops by once day so I'm well looked after.

Dick