Penny says: So today was a big day. Todd has been doing so well that his breathing tube was removed and replaced with a tracheotomy tube so that he’ll be able to swallow and talk when he’s ready . He’ll be weaned from the respirator over the next few days while his lungs and chest muscles get stronger. He’s doing really well, getting stronger everyday. I sat with him today for longer than I normally do and it was really great when he was awake but mostly he just slept. Surgery and the narcotics associated with it are very tiring. We’re hanging in there. Alex tells Todd the most amazing love stories and he stares at her with his beautiful eyes and she gets in really close and his heart rate goes up– the machines say so!–And that’s today. Good night from Amsterdam. Love, Alex and Todd and Penny
PS Todd and Alex send all their love and great thanks for the amazing support everyone showed at Dorkbot last night. Alex wishes they’d been with you for the kick-ass evening. And she’s waiting impatiently for the pics. hint hint
October 11, 2007 at 12:56 pm
ah, just hearing about todd’s big blue eyes makes me happy. hang in there guys. I miss you all.
October 11, 2007 at 1:59 pm
So many good things to read. We are all right here waiting, reading, and feeling good about the progress we hear. YEAH! Keep up the good work Todd. You too Alex. Hang in there you guys. We love you both.
Wendi & Matt
October 11, 2007 at 3:39 pm
It’s always great to hear about the progress that Todd is making. Each day is a new day and each day he is getting stronger..I read this blog everyday to check on Todd and think about you all throughout the day. Sending positive to all of you.I stated on another post that I stumbled on this site and have been following it since the beginning. Thank you Penny, and Thank you Alex you both sound like wonderful and caring people. Wishing Todd the best recovery.
a reader form Michigan
October 11, 2007 at 4:10 pm
good to hear the good news. many of us out here in the aether are reading this regularly. the recent faster todd progress and responsiveness is spreading digital happiness. hopefully even moreso over there. keep writing when you can.
jim
October 11, 2007 at 4:13 pm
So happy to hear that his heartrate speeds up when Alex is close! Thats so cool!!!
October 11, 2007 at 4:53 pm
So good to hear the little bits of info. I’m deep in the lab working on get-well robots to help Todd mend.
Until they are done testing, I’m wishing Todd strength and healing and well, same for you too Alex.
-Barbara
October 11, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Hey there Alex, Todd and Penny,
Yeah! We’re so happy to here of Todd’s progress and responses. My mother had a tracheotomy and I have to say that takes some getting use to as well. I hope he doesn’t need it too long and can start breathing on his own soon. We’re with you in spirit and thinking of you all the time. Be strong and know the world is rallying for you. Can you feel it?
oxoxo
Caprice
October 11, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Wow! I just read a post a couple above mine. There are people out there who “just stumbled” on this blog and are now following and sending best wishes. You guys are amazing.
As usual, hearing today’s news makes my heart go thumpity thump. Always affected that way by nephew Toddy. Although you might remind him that he did have a few bratty moments as a baby when Aunt Jane was babysitting.
Love to you all. A.J.
October 11, 2007 at 6:53 pm
here’s a love story for you,
in installments…
Guess Who My Favorite Person Is
By Byrd Baylor
Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker
I happened to be
in an alfalfa field,
barefoot, sort of
lying down watching ladybugs
climb yellow flowers
when I saw this little farm kid
who was also barefoot,
sort of lying down
watching ladybugs climb
yellow flowers,
helping them up again when they fell off.
“Want to see my favorite one?”
she called to me.
So I went over to where she was.
October 11, 2007 at 6:56 pm
She pointed to a bug.
To tell the truth, I couldn’t see much difference between that one
and about a million others.
I was going back to my own part of the field when she said,
“Now choose your favorite one.”
It wasn’t easy because I hadn’t ever practiced choosing ladybugs
but finally I did.
She looked surprised. “I can’t believe you like that one.
I passed her up about two daysago…But that’s your business.”
For a while we didn’t talk at all.
I stretched out and closed my eyes and just let the alfalfa be taller
than I was
But she said, “What’s your favorite thing – sleeping or being awake?”
“Awake,” I said.
“Then wake up and we can play the tell-what-your-favorite-thing-is game.”
“I think we are already playing it,” I said.
She said, “We are, and it’s my turn. My favorite turn is FIRST.”
So I said, “Go ahead.”
She said, “Tell your favorite color.”
I said, “Blue.”
But she said, “See, you’ve already done it wrong.
In this game you can’t just say it’s blue.
You have to say what kind of blue.”
So I said, “All right. You know the blue on a lizard’s
belly? That sudden kind of blue you see just
for a second sometime – so blue that afterward
you always think you made it up?
“Sure,” she said. “I know that kind of blue.”
October 11, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Then she told me hers and it was brown.
Maybe I looked surprised because she said,
“Not many people appreciate brown but I don’t care.
I do. And the one I like the best is a dark reddish brown
that’s good for mountains and for rocks.
You see it in steep cliffs a lot.”
I said, “I know that kind of brown.”
Then it was my turn to ask so I said,
“What’s your favorite thing to touch?”
###
to be continued…
xox
October 11, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Go Todd go! I’m going to see if Kimerick & Greg Leyh can come up with some kind of “good vibe” wave focussing device that we can beam the massive amount of good will and loving thoughts of you from here in Frisco all the way to Amsterdam. The party last night was amazing and a real testament to how much you have touched people here. Go man go!!
October 12, 2007 at 12:36 am
Alex and Todd,
I cried…I laughed…I screamed…I am so excited to hear such amazing news.
bless you both
Liz Y