I always take my harmonica when I go to a doctor's office and yesterday wasn't an exception. I'm not a bad player (I play melody for the most part and now I'm working on inprov) and it's fun to get a good tune going and watch the people sitting and waiting for their appointment to begin. Anyway, I was practicing Jesse Fuller's 'San Francisco Bay Blues' (among other songs) kind of quietly out in the lobby, and when I got in my little cubicle I played a little stronger. I know the sound floats out in the hallway because I can hear people talking out there and it's all hard walls and tile floors, so the sound carries. The nurse who came in had a big smile on her face and I think the doctor was amused too (he was smiling). I did that to them the time before and I think they remembered. I bet I'm their only patient who's done this. 

My neck has mended and I'm out of my brace! My hard brace was going to come off at 12 weeks and I asked the surgeon if staying in it another month or so would be beneficial (he said yes) so I had it on for a little over 16 weeks. That was yesterday. He had three x-rays done with my neck bent in three positions and his determination is that the C1 breaks have mended without affecting my neck movement! No soft brace needed! I'm freeeee! Of course, my neck muscles and tendons are tight and I won't be driving until they're loosened up enough to be comfortable (and safe) but I can mow my yard and go fishing again! YAY! I'll have to wait until next April to resume all the big stuff.

My face is a little scarred but, for the most part, is healed. Kathy is still massaging the scars with vitamin E oil twice a day and she's done a lot to work the hard adhesions out. The plastic surgeon said this needs to be done for two years. I have an area around my mouth where I don't have the muscle control I used to but it kind of gives me a cocky look. I may get those muscles back in time. 

Everything else has healed. Now that the neck brace is off I'll be able to go outside in the heat and get my strength back. Being outside in a hard neck brace in the humid hot days in Arkansas was too much. Now I can get out there and get sweaty again! 

My thanks for you who have been with Kathy and I through this ordeal. God is good! While I'm not quite out of the swamp I'm getting close and my boat is just about waterproofed again. I have to take it easy until next April due to the traumatic brain injury that occurred when I had my accident. The concern is that if I strike my head hard enough again within a year from April 21 I could have a permanent relapse.