Rising From the Dead

Tom here:

This is what it is like everytime I wake up from a nap or from sleep: The first thing I am aware of is a pain in my abdomen and that my legs and feet seem to be paralyzed. I think the Castle is under siege, and wonder where my nurses and armed guard are and why they aren't helping me get up and why they aren't they protecting me. Then I remember the evil forces that want me dead.

Slowly I start to become aware of my real surroundings, that I am Tom, and at home, and no one is going to help me, and no one wants me dead. I work to get my self out from under the covers, I swing my numb paralyzed legs over the bed, and let their weight pull down as I push myself up. I sit on the edge of the bed and continue to try to regain reality. My legs feel paralyzed because of the edema and swelling left from weeks ago, something that will take time and movement fix. They aren't paralyzed, but they feel like stumps as I lumber into the bathroom and start the diaper routine which includes cold wipes and creams and new diapers and pads. Then I empty the foley and measure and record, and I have pretty much made it back to reality. I am up for a while, on the computer (like now) tired, but not sleepy, and not anxious to go through the whole experience again.

That is exactly what it is like.

Tom