April 29th 10:23 p.m.

Levi's surgery went better than expected. Dr. Groebs had originally thought he would remove the errant bone then he would have to do a tendon graft and put in about 4 pins and move the nerve. Levi would have an external apparatus during the healing time. When the dr. got inside to look at it he found that the bone was not interfering with anything and he could straighten Levi's arm completely and bring it all the way up (fist to shoulder). He said all he had to do was fix the nerve. So he will probably be in for some heavy duty PT pretty soon. The surgery was about 3 hours and was done Monday afternoon. The dr. gave Levi 5 Rx's. but so far he only needs 3. I think the anesthesia put Levi back a little. It may take a week or two to get back to where he was mentally before the surgery. Rehab said that happens with brain injury patients. He will start vocational rehab pretty soon. I think he might be driving as soon as his elbow heals. That will also likely be when he will return to the workforce as this is the end of the physical healing. So that's it for now.
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April 25th 1:21 a.m.

I wrote this in response to a friend's inquiry and thought it would be a good idea to use it here. Sorry for not posting for so long.

David is back in school at Kennedy. I couldn't keep him focused with therapists coming and going all day. Morgan is involved in theater and sports. Emily is looking for a job and getting ready for her "behind the wheel" test for her license. Hillary is getting ready for graduation, YEAH! Ali and Jordan are getting ready to move to Reno. Jen and Steve are expecting their 5th baby! The last two will be just under 15 mos. apart! As for me, I just keep plodding along. It still hurts to cough hard or sneeze but everything else from surgery is healed. Levi got his brace off Tuesday and the eye dr. said Levi has the eyesight of an eagle. If he gets new glasses he'll have the eyesight of a peregrine falcon! ha-ha. He does still have a little bit of double vision when he looks way to the left. He will have surgery on his elbow. They will move a nerve and remove some bone that doesn't belong. We still struggle with some things pertaining to the brain injury but that healing can go on for a couple of years.

So, that's it in a nut house, I mean nut shell.

I'll post to update re: Levi's surgery. He doesn't seem to have any interest in posting, he has been on his computer looking for a job.

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April 3rd 12:16 a.m.

This was in my drafts. I guess I never finished it, but here it is.

I guess Levi doesn't want to post just yet. He has filled his days with therapists, volunteer work at D.I., reading, and walking...lots of walking. He had a consultation appt. today re: his elbow. Dr. Groebs says he might not get full range of motion back. The goal is to stop further damage to the nerves. So surgery is planned. It sounds pretty involved, incisions, pins, and an outer apparatus for about 6 weeks. They wanted to do it the 20th but Levi has an appt that week with Dr. Larson (Dr. Reichman's PA) to see if he can take the brace off for good!

David is back in public school. He is not doing any of the work and he got suspended for drawing a mustache on his friend's picture. I think he's having a great time. He apologized to his friend who was not terribly concerned but the teacher was quite distraught. He wrote a note to her and will take it when he returns today.

Morgan is finished with basketball and the play. She received her first review. It was in the school newspaper and was a quote from a teacher saying that Morgan Allen was fabulous. I'll have to get the paper from David so I can give the exact quote. She is now in track and the first meet was cancelled due to snow. :( She also is playing soccer with the YW