August 23, 2017

Hi you guys. I haven't done a blog in a while. I'm gonna dedicate this blog to my Mom.

They say, one's character is defined by their actions. So check this out. Here's some action for ya: during my first brain bleed and surgery I was in a bad way, but my mom stayed by my side. She helped me through the rough stuff. I was pretty much back to square one. I was like an infant. The only thing that worked on me was my heart. But, she stood by my side. Then a year later, I was sued for divorce. My mom laid down her credit card, went into debt to protect me. She stood by my side. She, my sister and my dad protected me. Then, right after that, I had another brain bleed and brain operation. Mom stood by my side, even though I was brought back to square one again. Then a year later, I had four huge seizures that almost took me out. She stood by my side, even though I was brought back to square one again. Then a year later, I had a huge seizure that almost took me out. She stood by my side, and helped me through it. That last seizure has pretty much left me as I am right now. I'm getting better, and I got better because of her. I wouldn't be where I am now, if it wasn't for her.

She would fly all the way to Texas to pick up my daughter, and she made sure I spent quality time with her. She was my driver, made doctor's appointments, made sure I got the right therapy, made sure I got the right equipment. She cooked for me, and gave me shelter. Whether I was in the ER, the intensive care unit, the hospital or at the rehab hospital, she would always show up at 11 am, with a coffee and a smile. Then dad took over at 5. Pretty cool parents. Basically, I'm forever grateful for what she did. So you see, her actions were pretty cool and her actions made her character a Super Mom.

Hey, you know what other thing I found out is I only cry out of my left eye. How weird is that? I don't feel like blogging any more this week. I'll leave it at that. I wish you guys a great week.

Love, B. Nice

July 26, 2017

In loving memory of Sandra Nice (a.k.a., Mom). We will miss her. Love, B. Nice

July 5, 2017

Hi you guys. Welcome to my blog where I talk about the present.

"Be a master of your own universe." Isn't that what they say? What I'm getting at is, there's a point at which you've got to take control of your own life when you have a traumatic brain injury. When I ran track & field, I sometimes ran a relay race where you have to hold a baton. There are four people and you pass the baton between each runner. Well, I'm at a stage where I'm to receive the baton from my point person. Does that make sense? What I'm getting at is, you can have a point person doing all your work, but eventually, you're gonna have to take control. It's another step in healing, and it is rather daunting, but it's something you have to do, if you want to get better. My advice to anyone going through this is to get a notebook and keep track of appointments, days, and delegate things to other people. You know, take charge.

Oh yeah, I'm gonna go off on a bit of a tangent here. I just remembered, it was fourth of July and this one time I took a flight from New York to LA. I saw fireworks all the way across America. It was pretty cool. I think I told you already, but I just thought I'd share with you that experience. A good visual.

Anyway, back to what I was talking about. Just be aware of what's going on and take control. That's all.

Hey, check it out! My daughter's coming back for most of July. Pretty cool huh? We get to hang out for almost a month. That's pretty cool. It'll be a lot of fun. I can't wait to see her. Speaking of my daughter coming, I'm gonna go rest because I'm gonna need all the energy I can get.

Oh yeah, one other tangent. I live right across from West Point Military Academy, right? Well, West Point is an artillery school, right? Well, all night long, I hear boom boom boom, and then I realize it was my father in the bedroom above me. He was walking around the bedroom. I thought it was funny and I told my father that I thought his walking around was West Point practicing artillery. He just looked at me blankly and went back to his frosted flakes.

Above is a flower for you guys. I've been photographing flowers.

Have a good week. Love. B. Nice

June 21, 2017

Hi you guys. Welcome to the blog where I talk about the present, what it's like to live with a traumatic brain injury.

Oh man, reality can be brutal. I say brutal because you know we, as humans, are born with locks and dams to keep emotions at bay. When you have a head injury your emotions sometimes flow freely. It's bizarre. It's like you can't stop. It's kind of like a form of tourettes. I remember when I was in the hospital, there was a guy next to me who was laughing, then crying, then laughing, then crying, and no, he wasn't watching the Trump election… Its bizarre to observe from my side, but very unpleasant for other people. I'll leave it at that.

I'll say one other thing and I'll let you guys go. When you have a traumatic brain injury like I have, I can't feed myself so I rely on my health aides to feed me. It's bizarre being the recipient of someone else's eating habits. Some people are neanderthal eaters. Some people eat like birds. You're at the mercy of whoever's at the other end of the fork. It's bizarre but something you just have to get used to.

Check out my other blog where I talk about my past. Have a good week. Love, B. Nice

June 7, 2017

Hi everybody. Welcome to my blog where I talk about the present.

I told you before, but my life is like a bad country song. It's made up of rolling frustration, cubist vision and ataxia, followed by moments of bliss.  In other words, my daughter's gonna be here next week for father's day. I'm pretty psyched. She's real cool and we get to hang out for a while. I don't get to see her much, but when I do, it's great. She reminds me of why I stick around.

It's been pretty cool. I continue to photograph. Mind you, it's all still life, but it's great shooting again. Remember, even when you have TBI, you have to do what you love, and I love photography.

I've just been practicing what I preach and work and work every day. You know, I've got no core strength, so I'm learning how to sit up again. It sounds basic, but man, it's tough. The first thing I do in the morning is practice my sit ups. Then, after that, you push yourself against the wall and learn how to put on your socks and pants and shoes. Real exciting, right? I could tell you some other things that have gone on here, but I value my life, so I won't tell you guys now.

And by the way, I just want to say one other thing. You know, I don't get involved in politics at all, but I'd like to say to our fearless orange leader that global warming is not a hoax. I've been to northern Greenland several times and I've talked to the indigenous people there. The glaciers there are working overtime making more and more ice bergs. In other words, the ice is melting like crazy. The indigenous people have reverted to farming and fishing. No more dog sleds. No more ice. Anyway, just thought I'd mention that. I'll get off my soap box now. Iv'e got to go back to therapy.

Check out my other blog where I talk about my past.

Love, B. Nice