Not So Fast!

Yes, I know I said that would be my last blog, but...

To all thoughtful and well-intentioned friends of Tom: please know that as much as Tom would love to visit with good friends, he is still very weak, has a lot of medical hurdles ahead of him and needs rest as much as your good wishes just now. So if you decide to visit him, please be prepared for a wait, because the doctors are still very busy with him. And if you do find him alone and asleep, don't wake him. If awake, make your visit brief. And please, no more books or food. Sorry, flowers are not even allowed in this unit. And finally, rest assured that Tom will be with us for a long while yet and a note or visit a month out will also be welcome!

Stepping Down on the Way Up

We are thrilled! Last Thursday, Tom was in the Operating Room for an excrutiatingly long time with the plastic surgeons who made him a great patch of new skin to cover his wound. When Tom emerged from the anathesia, he declared himself "in one piece again". Tah Dah! And then yesterday, he wanted me to post the following, in his own voice (always a good sign):

"Alarmingly, I have been transferred from the ICU to a somewhat, well, less intensive group called the "Step Down Unit". I have been assured that the beds here can be hard to come by, giving them a certain cachet and more importantly that the transfer means I am getting better.
This serves to assuage any minor injury to my amour propre that Step Down might otherwise import. There is also abroad in Step Down a more unbuttoned air -- "It's New York and It's Saturday Night" sort of thing. Finally, when Sue and I tuned in the Belmont Stakes (will someone please find our Governor a minder!), I saw an ad for an upscale Euro beer, and I thought, "Yes, please!". I am BETTER!"

And just now, he messages me that he is off all support systems. The doctors are pleased with his recovery and they will be working on the next phase: physical therapy. Wow! This is healing on the fast track. All your prayers and great, good wishes have paid off. THANK YOU kind friends, dear family and God. Tom can receive visitors at NY Presbyterian Hospital on 68th&York in the Greenberg Pavillion - 2 West - anytime up to 8pm.

Tom can also be emailed: teengel35@gmail.com or messages can be left for him on his cell (917)355-1814. I wont be blogging anymore, but I think Tom may have grown fond of this new mode of communication so be forewarned! Hugs all around and again, we are forever grateful for your support.

Greetings from the Greenberg Pavillion!

Tom wanted this picture posted so that all dear and concerned ones shouldn't fret, but he insisted on a shave first which didn't happen until last Friday and my blog was closed for the amazingly nice weekend. Today he looks even better, though the doctors have decided to let his leg do more mending before they attempt a graft. After a visit to the OR today the plastic surgeons declared Friday the new target date for that proceedure. The doctors did warn us at the beginning that this would take a long time. Doctors don't lie! But the good news is that if the graft happens on Friday and if it works, we are looking at being out of the ICU (and profound isolation) by the end of next week. Keep your collective fingers crossed.

I messed up awfully on the last blog trying to include all groups of friends in one, sleep deprived, fell swoop. I left out loved ones at St. Thomas Church who've contributed oodles to Tom's spiritual strength and the folks at Vanderbilt Y who can take credit for Tom's physical strength by making laps amusing. Tom's advises anyone listening to be sure to have both fronts, the spiritual and physical, in good shape before taking on a city bus. I will let you know next when the magic grafting begins. Blessings all around.