SIDEBAR #54 - Travis Alexander forum

[GigiG]

:wave: YESorNO!!! See my post again - it posted while I was still typing.... :gaah: so I had to edit it!!

Still no pic for me, try again?

 

[Jasper52]

BBM

<snipped for space>

BUT, the biggest thing was the change in his personality! Where he was previously outgoing and polite, he became really outspoken and sometimes rude. Be they good or bad, his emotions are barely held in check. He also developed memory issues, so he'll repeat things over and over again. Agh!

But, as I tell our kids, even though he's not the same dad, he's still your dad. We love him anyway.

ETA: I also lost my longtime (10+ years) boyfriend to complications from a TBI (a few years ago), so I am familiar with the repercussions. But can you imagine what our wounded vets and their families go through? They're so young. It breaks my heart.

Gigi, If I had known what was to come, from TBI, I would have sued! Both my short-term and long-term memory are shot now. For someone that went to university, I feel as though I now have a grade five education. Everything is so different now - my spelling and grammar, I remember very little. I can no longer read books. I went from teaching to making a complete career change to computer programming, of which I remember very little now. I took a buy-out in the ninties - it was either that or relocate to a major city of which I couldn't do. I pretty much went from being a very outgoing extrovert to a homebody introvert! Sad thing is, I just turned 54 in July!

So sorry to hear about your BF, TBI isn't pretty and I think many don't comprehend the severity of the symptoms it can cause, if you do survive it.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about our wounded vets. I always try to do what I can to support them as they don't get the treatment they often need, thus affecting everyone around them. That's assuming they can be treated - but there's still the aftermath - they will never be the same person they were, unfortunately.

Thank you very much, Jasper, for your efforts concerning the Ultimate Cloth. I hope you'll get a positive answer.
Now, some more US Open and then off to bed. Will have to get up at 6.30... At school from 8 to 3.

Susza, I'm happy to do it and will check tomorrow. Keep those fingers crossed!!!

everyone!!

<snipped for space>

Jasper52 - I hope all your tests are NEGATIVE!! :happydance:

Thank you, Niner. It's going to be a long 2-3 weeks of worrying!

 

[GigiG]

Gigi, If I had known what was to come, from TBI, I would have sued! Both my short-term and long-term memory are shot now. For someone that went to university, I feel as though I now have a grade five education. Everything is so different now - my spelling and grammar, I remember very little. I can no longer read books. I went from teaching to making a complete career change to computer programming, of which I remember very little now. I took a buy-out in the ninties - it was either that or relocate to a major city of which I couldn't do. I pretty much went from being a very outgoing extrovert to a homebody introvert! Sad thing is, I just turned 54 in July!

So sorry to hear about your BF, TBI isn't pretty and I think many don't comprehend the severity of the symptoms it can cause, if you do survive it.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about our wounded vets. I always try to do what I can to support them as they don't get the treatment they often need, thus affecting everyone around them. That's assuming they can be treated - but there's still the aftermath - they will never be the same person they were, unfortunately.



Susza, I'm happy to do it and will check tomorrow. Keep those fingers crossed!!!



Thank you, Niner. It's going to be a long 2-3 weeks of worrying!

TBI is a pretty awful thing to go through, whether it's from serving in the armed forces or just something that happens as you're going about your every day life. My heart goes out to you.

My BF was medivac-ed to Baltimore Shock Trauma after a motor vehicle accident. He was in a coma for over a month (bad news, in terms of TBI outcomes), then recovered somewhat, only to succumb to multiple infections within less than a year.

It was a hard time to go through as my kids were both tweens at the time. For more than 30 straight days, I drove home from work, made my kids something to eat, threw it on the table, then drove up to Baltimore (during rush-hour) some 45 miles away, just to talk to him and let him hear my voice. I would sing to him (maybe not a good thing?), and read passages of things which I thought would be uplifting to him. One day, as if from some kind of Hollywood scripted miracle, he came out of the coma. He was never the same again, but he did express much gratitude for my presence. There was true love there.

After that, I would make it a point to take him outside, pushing his wheelchair (which led to the back problems I'm still dealing with), just to give him some fresh air. I honestly feel like I did the best I possibly could for him, given the circumstances. But when he passed, I had to move on and re-focus my attention back to my kids. I must have done something right, because they never held it against me that they weren't my top priority during that time. Love them so much for understanding.

Whoops! Why did I just make this all about me? That was not my intention. I guess I kinda felt that letting you know that other people have traversed the same rough patches that you have might make you feel less alone and less isolated. While I'm not a brain injury survivor, I spent so much time with my BF and with other patients and their families, I feel like I know a lot more about it than the average person. Also, just wanted to share to let you know that you there are people here who care

ETA: We're about the same age...

 

[ILikeToBendPages]

BBM

There's so much we don't know about the brain! About ten years ago, my ex-husband was complaining about headaches, vision and hearing problems, among other things (can't remember all of them). It was enough to raise concerns in my mind about him having a brain tumor. He went to the doctor and sure enough, there was a small, non-malignant tumor behind one of his ears.

He elected to have surgery, but I don't think any of us were prepared for the outcome. It took him a long time to learn to walk steadily and not look like a drunk (equilibrium). He has also lost most of his hearing in that ear.

BUT, the biggest thing was the change in his personality! Where he was previously outgoing and polite, he became really outspoken and sometimes rude. Be they good or bad, his emotions are barely held in check. He also developed memory issues, so he'll repeat things over and over again. Agh!

But, as I tell our kids, even though he's not the same dad, he's still your dad. We love him anyway.

ETA: I also lost my longtime (10+ years) boyfriend to complications from a TBI (a few years ago), so I am familiar with the repercussions. But can you imagine what our wounded vets and their families go through? They're so young. It breaks my heart.

My mil had a calcified Meningioma on the front right side of her brain for years, and she swore she could feel it rolling around in her head.

 

[ILikeToBendPages]

My go away and leave me alone song.

[video=youtu;lJ6bbij59Qc]http://youtu.be/lJ6bbij59Qc[/video]

 

[GigiG]

My go away and leave me alone song.

[video=youtu;lJ6bbij59Qc]http://youtu.be/lJ6bbij59Qc[/video]

OMG, Pages. Kindred spirit here!

 

[daisymae]

RIP, Martin.

I have his autograph on my 7th grade class picture. He was in Savannah for some reason and my parents attended the event ... and as my mom had my picture she had him sign it!

 

[coffeejunkie]

Sitting outside in the front porch in the rcking chairs, sipping coffee, hearing the frogs and crickets, all is peaceful and not another soul around for about another mile. Weather is great here and a light rain. real nice Love this part of the Smokey's! we are in the Cade Cove Area sittin in a holler and right over the ridge behind the cabin is one of the Cade Coves Churches. So lovely and quite here. Could actually move here in the area...wellll...maybe lol.

Good Night Sleep tight and blessed dreams, my friends

 

[Jasper52]

TBI is a pretty awful thing to go through, whether it's from serving in the armed forces or just something that happens as you're going about your every day life. My heart goes out to you.

My BF was medivac-ed to Baltimore Shock Trauma after a motor vehicle accident. He was in a coma for over a month (bad news, in terms of TBI optimal outcomes), then recovered somewhat, only to succumb to multiple infections within less than a year.

It was a hard time to go through as my kids were both tweens at the time. For more than 30 straight days, I drove home from work, made my kids something to eat, threw it on the table, then drove up to Baltimore (during rush-hour) some 45 miles away, just to talk to him and let him hear my voice. I would sing to him (maybe not a good thing?), and read passages of things which I thought would be uplifting to him. One day, as if from some kind of Hollywood scripted miracle, he came out of the coma. He was never the same again, but he did express much gratitude for my presence. There was true love there.

After that, I would make it a point to take him outside, pushing his wheelchair (which led to the back problems I'm still dealing with), just to give him some fresh air. I honestly feel like I did the best I possibly could for him, given the circumstances. But when he passed, I had to move on and re-focus my attention back to my kids. I must have done something right, because they never held it against me that they weren't my top priority during that time. Love them so much for understanding.

Whoops! Why did I just make this all about me? That was not my intention. I guess I kind of felt that letting you know that other people have traversed the same rough patches that you have might make you feel less alone and less isolated. While I'm not a brain injury survivor, I spent so much time with my BF and with other patients and their families, I feel like I know a lot more about it than the average person. Also, just wanted to share to let you know that you are not alone and that someone cares.

ETA: We're about the same age...

Awe, Gigi, thank you so much for sharing this. I can only hope it didn't bring back too many painful memories, but rather the great memories you shared together. I have the utmost admiration and respect for you. You're running neck and neck with our beloved Zuri! I think you may have missed your calling!

I've always believed that comatose patients are aware of our presence and do hear us. That, of course, is just my opinion. I had a doctor walk in one day while I was reading a local newspaper to a friend who was in a coma. He asked if I worked at the hospital, lol! When I told him I was just a friend, he suggested I rethink my path in life and get into the medical profession.

After reading your many posts and getting to know you as a 'cyber' friend, there's no doubt in my mind that you raised your kids with the same love, integrity, empathy and compassion that you've shown, thus no repercussions when you were where you needed to be. I believe you instilled in your kids the love and guidance needed, thus they knew this was a priority, without feeling neglected. You 'done' good, girl!

Thanks for understanding, but more importantly, thanks for caring. Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

Same age?! Awesome! I can only wish that I get to meet all of you, here in the SB thread, someday. When's the bus tour???!!!

BTW, Gigi, have you ever considered writing about your experiences with TBI? I think it would be a best seller.

Oh yeah, my TBI wasn't diagnosed until the early nineties when I took a seizure at work. We didn't have cat scans available, locally, at that time. I suffered so much pain that may have been alleviated and possibly some of the side effects/residual symptoms that are causing the ongoing problems may have been treatable (?). That's life and nobody ever said it was fair!

On a side note, I've responded to this post about 8 times now, yet Chrome keeps freezing up. So I hope I can get this posted tonight!

 

[LinasK]

everyone!!

&#9834;&#9835; &#9834;&#9835; It's so good to be back home again!!! &#9834;&#9835; &#9834;&#9835;



Thank you GigiG for this, I'll pass it along to the Huz! and

Thank you Linask! I hope so too! I know a couple of days again you thought you might have found your cousin Mark - any matches??!!

Bernina - there is a gray wolf family just discovered in the Sierras here!

Jasper52 - I hope all your tests are NEGATIVE!! :happydance:

coffeejunkie - glad to hear you had a nice Birthday Lunch!! And have a LOT of fun in Tennessee!! :loveyou:

and here's a picture to go with your spider!!

:gaah: posted before I was ready - the laptop seems to be a little cguru:

Later! :seeya:

I won't know anything for a little while (which is hard), but after this long, what's a few more days?? The detective said it was a very thick file. I assume that means there's a lot of evidence? She was very nice, so I think she'll get back to me one way or the other. At least we're getting some renewed interest even if it turns out not to be him. And maybe in a week we'll know if they've ruled out the possibility for Ilene Misheloff. The woman in the O.C. Coroner's office was also very nice. If she can't exclude her it could take 4-6 weeks, but that's not months.

 

[Niner]

Hi again! :wave:

The Huz ran a scan on my laptop, as it was sooooo ssssllloooowwwwww - it's working pretty good now! nline:

Jasper - gosh, if I couldn't read any books I would die!! :scared: I thought I'd lose my eye sight when I was diagnosed with retinal degeneration! But all is good!! :happydance:

GigiG - :hug:

coffeejunkie - sounds really nice! Enjoy your stay! :summer:

LinasK - sounds like the case is moving along! Good Luck! :hug:

Here's a good one I saw on FaceBook!

and now I'm off to sleeping! fftobed: Tomorrow! :seeya:

 

[YESorNO]

Link: http://www.dilsecomments.com/graphics/Good-Morning-1643.jpg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A hot day here

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nazi professor's victims laid to rest in France

"The remains of Jewish victims who were killed for the skeleton collection of Nazi anatomy professor August Hirt were buried in northeastern France on Sunday, according to an AFP journalist..."

http://www.thelocal.fr/20150907/remains-of-nazi-professors-victims-buried-in-france
-------------------------------------------------

Italy's Top Court Slams Amanda Knox's Murder Conviction
The case against Knox was flawed and influenced by the media furore around the murder trial, the court said.

"ROME (AP) — Italy's top criminal court has scathingly faulted prosecutors for presenting a flawed and hastily constructed case against Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, saying Monday it threw out their convictions for the 2007 murder of her British roommate in part because there was no proof they were at the crime scene..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry...1bbd70f?cps=gravity_5027_-2232359694456974763
--------------------------------------------------

 

[YESorNO]

Looks like an interesting trial, IMO:
------------------------------------------------------

Murder Trial Begins for CO Man Accused of Pushing Wife Off Cliff

"Jury selection is underway in the murder trial of a Colorado man who is accused of pushing his wife off a cliff.
The judge in the case reportedly told 50 prospective jurors that the case "will be a doozy."

Prosecutors say Harold Henthorn pushed his wife, ophthalmologist Dr. Toni Henthorn, to her death at Rocky Mountain National Park during an anniversary hiking trip in 2012..."

http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/09/...an-harold-henthorn-accused-pushing-wife-cliff
--

Jury Seated In Trial Of Man Accused In Wife’s Cliff Fall

"...pening statements in the federal trial of 58-year-old Harold Henthorn are scheduled for Tuesday. He is charged with killing his wife, Mississippi native Toni Henthorn, during a scenic hike they took in September 2012 for their wedding anniversary..."

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/09/03/jury-seated-in-trial-of-man-accused-in-wifes-cliff-fall/

---------

Prosecutors: Man charged in death of 2nd wife, also killed 1st...

"DENVER - A man accused of pushing his wife to her death off a cliff in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park also killed his first wife 17 years earlier, prosecutors said Wednesday, and a judge agreed the cases were "glaringly" similar..."

http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/09/...an-harold-henthorn-accused-pushing-wife-cliff
--

Colorado Cold Cases: Is Harold Henthorn jinxed or is he a black widower

"Harold Henthorn’s case just got a whole lot harder to defend after a federal judge ruled recently that prosecutors can introduce evidence about his first wife’s murder.
U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson signed a ruling June 19, 2015 that said circumstances surrounding the death of Henthorn’s first wife, Sandra “Lynn,” in May 1995 were sufficiently similar to Toni Henthorn’s death in 2012 to allow prosecutors to submit evidence about her death at Henthorn’s trial in September..."

http://blogs.denverpost.com/coldcas...enthorn-tragically-jinxed-black-widower/9796/
-------

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/search?q=Harold Henthorn&src=typd

WS thread: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...e-fell-off-cliff-previous-wife-died-too/page4

Marc Stewart KMGH &#8207;@MarcKMGH 5h5 hours ago
A map and a life insurance policy will likely be key evidence in a #murder trial in #Colorado. What's next for Harold Henthorn next at 10.

DCOnews &#8207;@DCOnews 8h8 hours ago
The first degree murder trial of Harold Henthorn begins tomorrow, Sept 8, at 9 am before US District Judge Jackson. First come first seated.

Dayle Cedars &#8207;@daylecedars 45m45 minutes ago
Opening statements today in Harold Henthorn's trial for death of wife who plunged from cliff https://shar.es/1v8tqb via @DenverChannel
--------------------------------------------------

 

[YESorNO]

&#8203;Judy Carne dies: Northampton's 'Sock it to me' girl dies aged 76

"Northampton comedy actress and 'sock it to me' girl Judy Carne has died aged 76.
The Laugh-In star, born Joyce Audrey Botterill in 1939, died on Thursday, September 3, at Northampton General Hospital..."

http://www.northampton-news-hp.co.u...ck-girl-dies/story-27748796-detail/story.html

Link: http://famousdude.com/images/judy-carne-08.jpg

RIP :candle:

 

[YESorNO]

Jailed at 17 for a drug crime in 1988, Rick Wershe Jr is still behind bars. Why?

"Of more than 200 people sentenced to life without parole under a controversial Michigan drug law only one remains. At last he has a hope of freedom.."

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/05/rick-wershe-jr-life-without-parole-michigan-drug-laws
-----------------------------------------------

Convicted Killer Adjusts to Society After 27 Years in Prison

"Since Bonnie Jean Cook's release on a rare grant of clemency, after 27 years in prison, she has been acclimating slowly to modern society with bingo games at her apartment building and outings to browse thrift stores.

Cook, convicted of murder in the shooting death of a pregnant woman in 1986 when her name was Bonnie Foreshaw, won early release in 2013 following a lengthy campaign by author Wally Lamb and others who felt she was treated too harshly by the criminal justice system. She argued she shot the woman by accident, a claim rejected by prosecutors..."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/convicted-killer-adjusts-society-27-years-prison-33581157
-------------------------------------------------

THE PRISON-DORM CONTINUUM

"Twenty-five years wasn’t something that I wanted to waste. When I arrived at Manchester Federal Correctional Institution in the southeastern foothills of Kentucky in 1993, I decided to make the most of a prison sentence. I was 22 years old, in for the first time for a nonviolent drug offense. I’d been caught selling LSD and marijuana on college campuses. And now, trapped inside the belly of the beast, I thought actually enrolling in college sounded like a smart idea. I’d earn my degree. Why not multiple degrees? I had nothing but time..."

http://www.ozy.com/true-story/the-prison-dorm-continuum/39210
-----------------------------------------

 

[YESorNO]

Walter Palmer speaks: Hunter who killed lion will resume Bloomington dental practice Tuesday

"The Twin Cities big-game hunter who killed a much-beloved lion in Zimbabwe during what has been called a poaching expedition ended several weeks of silence Sunday and said he will resume his Bloomington dental practice Tuesday morning in hopes of getting his professional and personal life back on track..."

http://www.startribune.com/walter-p...ill-resume-dental-practice-tuesday/325185401/

Full transcript: Walter Palmer speaks about Cecil the lion controversy

http://www.startribune.com/full-transcript-walter-palmer-speaks-about-controversy/325453351/

--

Animal psychic claims Cecil the lion has spoken to her and given instructions on how to deal with his death

"...Cecil supposedly told Anderson, who specializes in speaking to clients' deceased pets and charges $75 for a fifteen minute session with up to two animals, that he is now 'finer than ever'..."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...poken-void-given-instructions-deal-death.html
----

Some beautiful pics:

Empire State Building Pays Tribute To Endangered Animals, Remembers Cecil The Lion

The iconic New York skyscraper came alive Saturday with images of some of the world's most threatened creatures.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry...a6e4b0d4f33a03335c?&ncid=newsltushpmg00000003

------------------------------------------------------------

 

[YESorNO]

Any Trekkies here?

'Star Trek's' Captain Kirk writes an autobiography

"The Autobiography of James T. Kirk – The Story of Starfleet’s Greatest Captain," is to be published by Titan Books on Tuesday - 49 years to the day after "Star Trek" premiered on television in 1966.

It comes with illustrations, including Kirk's Starfleet Academy class graduation photo and an unsent letter he penned to his son...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/07/us-books-startrek-kirk-idUSKCN0R71BP20150907

-----------------------------------

 

[Jasper52]

Susza, I contacted the Ultimate Cloth head office in the US. They were not able to give me a website but, gave me an email address for you to contact. I was told that this person is the most active distributor in Europe. Their email addy is [email protected] - hopefully they can help you! Maybe ask if they have a website.

Side note - should you decide to order the cloths, be sure to read the instructions included. Basically states not to wash and dry with items that contain lint, not to use fabric softener, wring out as much water as possible before using etc. There should also be a phone number should you ever run into problems. These cloths are guaranteed for five years!

Good luck and please let me know how things go!

 

[Niner]

Morning all! :wave:
Forgot to post this earlier! :blushing:

September, 2015 Bizarre and Unique Holidays
Month:

&#8226;Classical Music Month
&#8226;Hispanic Heritage Month
&#8226;Fall Hat Month
&#8226;International Square Dancing Month
&#8226;National Blueberry Popsicle Month
&#8226;National Courtesy Month
&#8226;National Piano Month
&#8226;Chicken Month
&#8226;Baby Safety Month
&#8226;Little League Month
&#8226;Honey Month
&#8226;Self Improvement Month
&#8226;Better Breakfast Month

September, 2015 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:

1 Emma M. Nutt Day, the first woman telephone operator
2 VJ Day, WWII
3 Skyscraper Day
4 Newspaper Carrier Day
5 Be Late for Something Day
5 Cheese Pizza Day
6 Fight Procrastination Day
6 Read a Book Day
7 Labor Day First Monday of month
7 Neither Rain nor Snow Day
8 International Literacy Day
8 National Date Nut Bread Day - or December 22!?
8 Pardon Day
9 Teddy Bear Day
10 Sewing Machine Day
10 Swap Ideas Day
11 911 Remembrance
11 Make Your Bed Day
11 No News is Good News Day
12 Chocolate Milk Shake Day
12 National Video Games Day - also see Video Games Day in July
13 Defy Superstition Day
13 Fortune Cookie Day
13 Grandparent's Day - first Sunday after Labor Day
13 National Peanut Day
13 National Pet Memorial Day -second Sunday in September
13 Positive Thinking Day
13 Uncle Sam Day - his image was first used in 1813
14 National Cream-Filled Donut Day
15 Make a Hat Day
15 Felt Hat Day - On this day, men traditionally put away their felt hats.
16 American Legion Day
16 Collect Rocks Day
16 Step Family Day
16 Mayflower Day
16 Mexican Independence Day
16 National Play Doh Day
16 Working Parents Day
17 National Apple Dumpling Day
17 Citizenship Day
17 Constitution Day
18 National Cheeseburger Day
18 POW/MIA Recognition Day - Third Friday of September
19 International Talk Like A Pirate Day
19 National Butterscotch Pudding Day
19 Oktoberfest, begins, date varies
20 National Punch Day
20 National Women's Friendship Day - third Sunday in September
21 International Peace Day
21 Miniature Golf Day
21 World Gratitude Day
22 Business Women's Day
22 Elephant Appreciation Day
23 Checkers Day
23 Dog in Politics Day
23 Eid-Ul-Adha
24 National Cherries Jubilee Day
25 National Comic Book Day
25 Native American Day - fourth Friday of the month
26 International Rabbit Day - Fourth Saturday in September
26 Johnny Appleseed Day
27 Crush a Can Day
28 Ask a Stupid Question Day (one of my favorite days)
28 National Good Neighbor Day - Always September 28, previously the 4th Sunday in month
29 Confucius Day - Try your luck. Get a Fortune Cookie.
30 National Mud Pack Day

 

[Niner]

Me again!

Here's a couple of photos I took from the Latvian Song & Dance Festival!! :happydance: what else - but the Folk Dancing!!