Down and Up and Down

After a very taxing day on Monday, and after falling, Dean was a little shook. I heard him yell for me early Tuesday morning as he couldn't get up off the couch. I flew out of bed, heart racing. But he was able to get up with a little help and make it to the bathroom okay. I called our friend Karen to ask for help gathering some info, and that I needed to get a walker to help Dean with his unsteady legs. She said they had two at their house and her husband Paul would be glad to bring one out. He had taken the first drug for the tissue swelling/water retention that morning, and consequently made many trips to the bathroom. Having the walker immensely helped him get around without trepidation. Paul and Dean had a nice, slow visit. They looked at some old collectibles and he asked Paul to take 'custody' of them and eventually sell the ones worth anything.

Wednesday morning he was able to get up by himself and said he was feeling better, even his eyes looked better. He was also breathing easier. He actually stayed awake most of the day, continuing his frequent trips to the bathroom. Getting up and down a couple dozen times seemed to help him feel a little stronger. He got a phone call Wedesday evening from a special friend, Dr. Mike in North Carolina who lifted his spirits. And mine. Overall Wednesday was a much better day.

This morning he was able to get up and around without help, though he is feeling fairly weak again. His appetite is still good, but he doesn't have the cravings, and is eating much smaller portions.

Here's Dean at the original Starbucks in Seattle in April 2006.