The big news is that on Wednesday, Dean was moved to a regular room! He said good-bye to all the wonderful staff in intensive care who provided for his recovery. All the nurses and therapists and doctors are fantastic. His new nursing staff are also caring individuals who are supporting the next step in Dean's recovery...learning how to live as a healthier person who can do lots more than before.
Dean's time is now filled with physical therapy - walking up and down the hall; pulmonary rehab 4 times a day; sponge baths and clean clothes. Tomorrow, he and Bill begin a class designed to plan, coordinate, and manage Dean's home care. All of this is actually tiring out Dean. However, he is fussing about the food. He can taste the ingredients more. And he doesn't like some of it. Some of you know that Dean will not be allowed ANY alcohol for the rest of his life. That martini he was drinking when he got the call to come to the hospital was his last.
Dean is reading your postings, talking on the phone without over-exerting, and text messaging. Please feel free to contact him. He and Bill would prefer no flowers. In lieu of flowers, we hope you'll do some act of kindness honoring him. For example, Haverly and I have renewed our desire to be organ donors.
Tomorrow night will be one week since Dean's life began to change. We'll keep you posted on new events. Linda
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14 comments:
Dean: Thus news is so wonderful. Keep on doing well. We think of you and pray for you each day.
Jeannie, Juan and Angelina
Hi Dean, Bill and Family,
We look forward to reading about Dean's progress every day.
While giving up the alcohol may not seem like much fun - Joe and I don't drink much as it cuts into our dancing. Now try doing a double, outside turn after sipping on a martini...talk about the room spinning.
Maybe it's time for you to try the two step again!
Elizabeth and I are headed over to our rock hound friend - Stephen's house this weekend. I'll probably bring my laptop and let the two of them have at it with cutting stones and making jewelry. Rocks fascinate Elizabeth, and bore her mother.
Keep the updates coming - we love hearing the progress.
Joe, Claire and Elizabeth
Dean,
Welcome to the Diet Coke-only crowd! It's not so bad...
You continue to be in my prayers everyday...prayers of thanksgiving!!!
Love to you all,
Scott
What wonderful news that you're out of ICU! We appreciate the updates & look forward to seeing you & family in person! Let us know when visits are allowed; otherwise we'll wait until you're home & can bring you some homemade soup!
Love to you, Bill, Linda & family,
Rollie & Richard
Such fantastic news my friend! You will be amazing how good regular, plain, untainted, no alcohol CRANBERRY JUICE tastes chilled with some ice in a FABULOUS martini glass. Here's to toasting you soon in one of the fabulous martini glasses sans the alcohol, this news of your fantastic recovery makes us all high on your renewed life!
Much love from SoCal, Ric Perez
Thats awesome! How exciting to start to be able to do things again that the rest of us certainly take for granted... and then do even more. It must be a great feeling to know every day will get better and better and open back up all sorts of opportunities to live life to its fullest again.
No alcohol though? Bummer, we will have to get you a top of the line juicer so you can walk to the farmer's markets in Denver and grab fresh ingredients.
All our best,
Bart and Beck
Dean,
What wonderful news that you are out of ICU and preparing for a life at home. However, the no more martinis bit is a bummer. I guess Dave and I will have to drink yours.
Give our love to Bill and keep up the good work.
Hope to see you across the table from a plate of Mexican food soon.
Love,
Sharon & Dave
WOW! The news pertaining to your progression is exciting. As for the other part….we all have to learn to make sacrifices. I guess I will just have to take on the arduous task of consuming your martinis for you. But…I will be certain do it with class, as a true representation of your persona!
We are truly thrilled to hear the day to day reports of your transition back to good health.
Much Love Sue and Muriel
It's wonderful to hear how smoothly (by all reports) and rapidly you are moving forward. It's just so exciting to imagine a different experience in your body -- how many of us get to have that opportunity in our lifetime? I have to admit, it's one of the few places where I bow to modern medicine. :o)
For me, it'll be in hearing the sound of your voice, and the discernable difference in your breathing, and energy....
Carry on, and know you're in my thoughts! Hugs to you both....
No alcohol? No problem! If the doctors said no more fine dining - that would be a problem.
Dean, I'm so happy to hear that you are moving forward at such a great pace. And I agree with Linda and Haverly - I'll always make sure my driver's license says "organ donor".
Keep up the good work!
Janice
Hello Grandpa it is Wyatt. I hear you are in a new room. I hope you are feeling good. I am excited that you won't have to use your oxeygen as much! Love Wyatt
Grandpa I got a buzz cut! Mrs. McKeeman said to say Hi. I love you!
Hi Dean,
I just read a blog entry from the Colorado teacher who was putting on the education conference I was telling you about in February. He had Daniel Pink visit with students via skype. Fascinating way to engage students. Thought you might find it interesting if you're up to a computer sometime soon.
Claire
- http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2009/01/design-discussion-with-daniel-pink.html
Great news Dean, and congratulations for taking this big next step in your recovery. John and I have house guests here from Cape Town, SA, for the MLK weekend. We will all toast your health tonight at dinner. It was great to talk to you on the phone and I'll do more of that soon.
Much love,
Chuck
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