Hey gang, Tom here

[filkertom]

I wanted to give you a quick update of where I am and how I'm doing. But first I have to thank all of you more than I will ever be able to express. When I get back online (and I actually might by the end of the week! At least dial up) I'll be more specific and effusive, but in the short form this entire thing has been life changing in a good way. A really, really, really good way. And when I'm through it, I will be better and there will be so damn much music you won't have time to listen to it all!

I love every single one of you and you are all getting hugged like crazy when we meet up again!

OK. I'm at a nursing and rehab facility in Dearborn Heights called Imperial House. It ain't the Ritz, but the people are nice and, at least for now, I have a window. Yesterday was the first day of real rehab. They lugged me into a chair and wheeled me down to the rehab room with lots of actual exercise equipment... and a car! (many people who come in for rehab drove before their accident, and this is to help them with getting in and out)  I did about 10 minutes hard work on an arm bicycle, at which point I was exhausted, but it felt great. And just sitting up was nice, too.

The leg is doing fine, although we haven't done anything with it, really, since I got here. The biggest impediment right now is the urethral surgery and the catheter therefrom. Whenever they try to move me, the first thing they do is carefully remove the tape which has been holding the tube to my belly to keep it from moving. Instantaneous internal joy. It doesn't seem to occur to them that it might be taped there for a reason.The cath is supposed to come out next monday, and I honestly don't know if I'll make it that long. Drugs help. Valium is our friend!

Anyway, thta's where things are right now. I need to find out more about how the rehab is supposed to go. The scheduleing is still really vague. All I've got is "can't put any wieght on left leg until September 9th". On the other hand, I've lost at least 30 pounds. My feet are no longer swollen. I can has ankle bones!

Again, I love you all, and I'll get online a quickly as I can. I have to single out a few people for really incredible stuff behind the scenes. First and foremost, Leslie. [ed. aw shucks!]. Anne. Rob Balder - Ohhhh, Rob! Mark Bernstein. Sharon Brevoort.Uncle Kage. Merav Hoffman. Christine Lavin. Bill Holbrook. Sandy Schreiber. Steve Jackson. David Stockton, Andrew Smirl. Joey Shoji. Tom Rockwell. Possible Oscar. Basically all of you in general, and everyone at DuckCon, Contata, AnthroCon, and the Tom Smith cover project in particular.

You guys are getting at least three fuckin' operas out of this.

Love, Tom

Comments

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Ooh, rehab! I've been going to rehab for a month now. Wonderful stuff. It's given me a new lease on life.

I hope your recovery is hassle-free and good.

And I'm thrilled to learn about your music - operas? I'd've been more than happy with a new song or two.

And seriously - wish you the best. Take care and heal well.

[scifantasy.livejournal.com]

Imperial House?

"Filk Nine to base. Filk Leader has been captured, and he's injured. We need backup and a ground support team."

"Copy, Filk Nine. We're dispatching the Dementia Commando Squad. Fly cover for them."

[jss]

So if there're visiting hours and a bunch of us were to descend upon the facility, would we play/sing/hum the Imperial March? O:-)

[jss]

Yay, improvement!

[judifilksign.livejournal.com]

So, here's hoping rehab goes well. (Don't all singer-songwriters have to go to rehab at one point or another in their lives? And doesn't it seem strange that in this rehab, they aren't taking the drugs away, but giving them to you?)

So, when do they do stuff to rehab the parts of you that got hurt?

We love you, and hope the silver linings in all the storms start shining for you.

[maiac.livejournal.com]

"Don't all singer-songwriters have to go to rehab at one point or another in their lives? And doesn't it seem strange that in this rehab, they aren't taking the drugs away, but giving them to you?"

Hee!

[phillip2637.livejournal.com]

All the best, Tom. If you can turn this into something positive, all power to you!

"three fuckin' operas"

XXX-Rated operas...what will they think of next? :-) :-)

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

I thought most operas involved sex... or at least romance.

[sdelmonte]

Glad that things are progressing, and glad to see you making your way onto the Net again.

[kshandra]

Damn, but it's good to see your font again.

[fair-witness.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[delazan.livejournal.com]

Just get better and know that the thoughts and prayers of your fans are with you.

You guys are getting at least three fuckin' operas out of this.

Oh, goodie, I've never seen opera porn before!
-Lori

[ionicaq.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear things are progressing well! :)

[lukeski.livejournal.com]

Enough shilly shallying, where's the sequel to "The Last Hero On Earth"? I have some ideas on that myself... ;) Get well Tom!

[mouser.livejournal.com]

After "Herbert West Reanimator the Musical" I hope!

[hughcasey.livejournal.com]

Just get better, friend. The world needs more of your music.

[zianuray.livejournal.com]

Mind the Physical Terrorists and get better soon!

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

There are a lot of people pulling for a complete recovery for you, Tom. Glad to know things are improving.

Tommy can you read me?

[admnaismith.livejournal.com]

YAY Tom! Come back and continue to make the religious right chew their own asses off in outrage real soon, OK?

[hms42]

Welcome back online!!!!!

Glad to hear you are doing better.

Speedy recovery!

[twfarlan.livejournal.com]

Tom, it's good to hear from you again. It's great that you're doing well in rehab. Don't sweat the leg work ahead; it's going to suck, I don't doubt, but you'll get through it.

Missed your posts, man, and looking forward to seeing you back on a regular basis.

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

Wail away, Tom!

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

I am heartened to hear you are doing well sir. And if you complete this experience without at least one song devoted to Robert Aspirin, I will be amazed and shocked.

[maikujaku.livejournal.com]

*smacks forehead* I made 3 get well cards that are coming to you from Anthrocon...and was so worked u and stressed, I forgot to sign one!

-Jetta

[markbernstein.livejournal.com]

Jetta, I owe you a huge apology. I was so busy working the con that I completely forgot to grab the cards from Ops and take them to other places. Then I forgot to grab them before I left. I'm sure one of the other DI has them, and I will definitely get them, and get them over to Tom. But they don't have as many signatures as they should, and that's my fault.

[bayushisan.livejournal.com]

It's good to hear that your doing well Tom :D

But I have to say, Imperial House? What's Sith physical rehab like anyway? ;)

Oh the puns that can be made. heh heh heh.

God bless you Tom and many prayers for a speedy rehab and recovery.

[ludzu-alus.livejournal.com]

It's wonderful to see your typing! Yay Tom!!!

[mg4h.livejournal.com]

Yay for another update, yay for it being good, go Tom!

[ladystarblade.livejournal.com]

Many huggles and good thoughts...we'll raise several toasts to you at Inconjunction this weekend. Will miss you greatly, but very psyched that the recovery's on track!

[strredwolf.livejournal.com]

Great to hear you. We missed you at AC, but thankfully Sandy was able to sell the CD's and accept donations. I dropped off a ton of donation cards with her to boot.