So I TOTALLY lose to the brain damage. I forgot a bunch of important things. I uploaded pix of it (that you can’t see yet because I’m technologically challenged and can’t figure out how to make them visible to you!) but I  forgot to say that our sweet little beauty Encsi turned 2 on July 24th! One of the pix is of the cake that Emi, Rowan, and Encsi decorated and the other is of her picking the piece up off her plate with her hand (the fork is in the other hand but clearly doesn’t provide the same level of gratification as shoving it in her face with her chubby little paw!).

Another thing I forgot is to write to find out who that generous person is that has an automatic deposit into the Recovery Fund each month? All deposits are anonymous so please let me know so I can at least thank you!
Another thing I forgot is that when I have gone to the store with the family, whether it be Sam’s or Harris Teeter, Rowan usually rides around in my lap (I think I mentioned this before because I LOVE having him close and kiss his beautiful head as often as I like without having to catch him!). But the point I wanted to make is how every time we are out, someone comments on how lucky he is to have such a nice ride. I hope those people can see the gratitude in my eyes!
Yet another thing I forgot to mention are more folks that I am grateful to for their thoughts and help  – our neighbors on MacGregor Downs, the Adamses, and our neighbors up the street, the Barrows. Mr. Barrow made a scrap book for me. I never knew about the note that went to all our neighbors. Mrs. Barrow was a teacher at the school Rowan is going to tomorrow for the first time. She has had great things to say about the people there and so that reduces my anxiety a little!
The beach yesterday was awesome. It was a perfect day and it was fabulous to see Hope and her wonderful family. The boys all played in the water together and the girls hung out on the beach and watched to make sure no one got washed away! Carmen is a sweet little girl and watching Encsi and Carmen play (well, Encsi being 6 mo older and more Sumo in build was more boss than companion but did have several hugs for her and gave her juice!) was quite funny. That little girl means the world many people.  And it was great to see that the whole extreme daddy’s girl syndrome is not only in Encsi and Jani’s case!
Anyway, once I get a handle on my stress over Rowan going to school, I’ll let you know how he does!

Good night!

Dear all,

I have not dropped off the face of the earth - you should know by now it takes quite a lot to slow me down!! Things are going great but only getting busier. I am striving to be more and more independent all the time but things do go a little more slowly. Anyway, lots to tell! and I hope the pix show up!

So I will start with my health: My strength and stamina are improving (this could have a bit to do with the fact that the Olympics are going!). My sense of smell has still not returned. My fluid balance issues still cause me trouble but I am learning to listen to my body much more closely and so I think that I am getting better about managing this problem. My brother and Dr. Brinn, our wonderful family physician, are certainly instrumental in this. A few days ago (Aug 19^th) was the 10 month anniversary of all this chaos. My sense of self, purpose, love of life and family, and love and support I receive from SO many dear people gets more intense each day. These things continue to fuel my strength and stamina.

I will do my best to recap the last month ⁺ events to catch you up (this is a true test of my brain function!)….

On July 18^th, Emilia arrived from Hermisillo, Mexico. Her father came with her and we were instantly like family. Language is no barrier for the heart!!! She is great with the kids and seems to be managing being away from loved ones pretty well. I am sure that having her friend Estefania (who arrived Aug 11^th) helps a lot! They are going to learn English here and possibly take some other courses as part of the exchange. They do lots of fun things with the kids – play volleyball and soccer, dance, art projects, read books, play swords (of course!)….the main thing is that the kids are happy. The girls also do a lot of extra things to help out around the house and so it really is like having more family! We might even consider sharing Estefania so give us a call!!!

A few weeks ago (I think it Friday July 25^th) a youth group of 23 people from the Mennonite faith came to groom our house and yard. It was quite a spectacular whirlwind! In just short of an hour, the women cleaned all the windows inside and out, wiped off counters, shelves, dusted the blinds, and things inside while the men outside cut the grass, trimmed the bushes, and edged the grass everywhere. It was something. An extremely kind and selfless group of people. I didn’t get to thank each one in person but I talked to a few and thanked as many as I could catch up with! Some of the photos should give you an idea of what the experience was like. Huge thanks to David and Jolene for bringing this group to help us out!!

Last week I took Rowan to his school to meet his Kindergarten teacher and have some testing. She meets with each child individually to see what level they are coming in at. He was very reluctant to leave my side (to the point of sneaking to the opposite side of my chair and placing a white knuckle grip on my armrest!) but about 40 min later he came back with Mrs. Uebler with a big grin and kind of skipping (hard to tell with those long gangly legs!). Anyway, he starts this Tuesday and so even though he looks forward to it when we talk about it, the fact that one parent will not be going to with him and that it is a new environments and lots of new people will take some time to get used to. I talked with Mrs. Buck the secretary there the entire time Rowan was with Mrs. Uebler and she probably doesn’t know it but the fact that she engaged me in conversation totally distracted me from my anxiety about worrying about Rowan. Really kind people there. I got a very good feeling about them and I am so very glad to be here to see this day, despite the fact that it means my baby is growing up!!! Sigh……….

A few weeks ago I got a new cell phone too so you might get a pic or a text from that – 252-412-8216 (Jani is -8126). Unfortunately, when they tried to move my phonebook over from the old phone, everything was gone and so I am starting from scratch. So don’t be shy about calling to get reconnected so I can bug you when I get a chance!

July 10^th I had a meeting with Christine, a reporter from the Mission – the ECU publication. She wanted to do a story about my recovery and return to work. As strong as I think and try to be, trying to speak about this and the incredible support network I have makes for a huge lump in my throat (hard to imagine me not being able to speak – I know!) and welling up of tears. I am sure that she will do a great job and I look forward to seeing the article which I think should be coming out very soon. Cliff Hollis, the photographer, came over and took pix of Jen Lust and I talking about some work that we are doing with Mark Mannie and so I have posted a couple of those as well for your viewing pleasure!

A few weeks ago I got to meet with Liz Jonhston and Griffen Avin who will be managing all the adjustments to the lab I need to get back to doing hands-on research. They gave me an adjustable height table to try out I was able to work without too much difficulty. I am very happy about this! They are also working on getting automatic doors so I don’t have to bulldoze my way in, adjusting a sink so I can use it more effectively, modifying the room so I can get around, and working with me on a few other things that will really make things easier for me. They are wonderful jovial people and I am very glad to have their knowledgeable and creative assistance in this!

So many of my friends are in touch and I try to respond in a timely fashion but don’t always succeed – the Betties, Julie Ponthier in Australia, Mandy, Lori, and the Soules in Kingston, Isa, Hans, the Murrys in Seattle, Jude and Drew in DC…..I know that you all know you are in my thoughts more often than I have a chance to tell you.

There are so many Brody people I have chatted with and everyone is so kind and I am learning a lot actually through even short exchanges with people like Ruth Schwalbe, Dave Taylor, Phil Pekala, Mark Mannie, Pam the secretary in Pharm, Kathy Verbanac, Ann Sperry, Yan-Hua Chen, Irene Hamrick, Ruth Ann Hendrickson, Mary Jane Thomassen, Rachel Roper….all the women at the BWFC, especially those that were there at the meeting on 8/19. I have heard many times that several of the BWFC members including Elaine Cabinum-Foeller have really pushed hard for bicycle safety and that there will be extensive bike paths in a few years. That will really be great…and hopefully those many people I see riding around who don’t wear helmets will use them!! I am looking forward to working with Janet Malek this year as program co-chairs for this group.

As far as lab stuff goes – the summer has wound down. Classes are back in session and so Jon DeAntonio has gone back to school. Jen Lust will stay with us since she is going to school here. Unfortunately, our tech left a few weeks ago and so we are looking for another person and the job description will be posted soon on the ECU website. Jess is working on her thesis proposal to present to her committee, Sept 3^rd and so hopefully we’ll get the green light to move forward. She is working very hard and so I think we will get some interesting stuff soon.

Brook and Drew Cathey came into the Phys dept this week to introduce us to their new firstborn, Ben. I was fortunate enough to hold all of 7.5 pounds of him for a few minutes. Wow you forget how small they are! What really stuck with me about that was how beautiful life is. Cherish each moment because we don’t get time back. In the words of Scot Reeg, “kids are so cool!” Indeed. Even though there are things I used to do that I may not be able to do again like ice skating with Rowan, kicking a ball around, running with them, trekking though the trees, etc and there are things that I want to do with them in the future that I may not be able to do like hiking and skiing, I am determined to give my kids a full life and expose them to as many possibilities as I can. What I can’t accomplish with my legs I will accomplish with my will!! Speaking of strong will, Jani is continuing to work hard to get through the firefighter training program. He is about 4 months into the 6 and he is hanging in there! He is enjoying what he is learning and the people he works with and meets and so I am happy for him. They continue to work them like teenagers and so I am really happy that he is so healthy and fit!

So, something I thought would never happen – we bought a 4 wheeler last weekend. I am not thrilled about it but what I am REALLY THRILLED about is getting back into the trees – the whole reason we bought the property back here in the first place. I just wish I could smell. Too bumpy for a chair but not for a Honda Recon!! Needless to say, Rowan is the happiest about this. My parents on the other hand….

Tomorrow we will get to see Hope Campbell and her family in Nags Head – Jay her husband, Ayden and Jed and Carmen – their gorgeous kids. I am excited since I have not yet met Carmen. I have known Jay and Hope since high school when I moved to Kingston, Ontario. She has always been very kind to me and continues to be one of those wonderfully supportive people.

Next Friday Khaled is coming to visit for the Labor Day weekend!! I am really excited about this of course. I am planning to drive the van myself to the airport so he will get to ride in style! I know he is really excited about this.

So one last thing – I will officially go back to full time status and convert to the tenure-track as of Sept 1 (my clock starts next July1). I am really so very glad to be back in action! I am going to get back to teaching soon too – a lecture to the PA students this fall and the med + grad students in the spring and so I am looking forward to that very much.

I stopped here because Jani and the kids came home from shopping (lunchtime too!) and Dave Lever had just pulled up. He came to mow our lawn. I told him he must be telepathic. I had been looking out the window this morning wishing I could go out there and push our mower around….