File 770
Issue 144: Fall 2004
Howard De Vore is beginning to recover from the heart attack he suffered August 4. He was allowed to go home after a few days in a suburban Detroit hospital. It's been a very serious struggle for the legendary Midwestern fan and huckster, who will be the 2006 Worldcon's fan guest of honor.
Howard's daughter, Karol, sent a long update on Aug. 24 to the many people who have e-mailed their best wishes to Howard:
Since so many of you have been kind enough to send messages, I thought I'd send an update. Dad is not up to writing to each of you, though he'd like to.
Dad started on oxygen almost a week ago. This has made a positive difference, and he has begun to feel a little better. He uses the wheelchair, but with a walker he can walk the few feet from his bed to the bathroom. He is very weak and tires easily, but is staying out of bed for longer periods of time. For the moment, at least, he has quit smoking because oxygen is an accelerant, and there's an attendant extra risk. Today he is having dizzy spells, and a problem with one leg, but I guess we'll work on those things tomorrow. He sees a nurse and a physical therapist tomorrow.
Joyce (friend and housekeeper, with emphasis on friend) has been a real blessing. They both bitch at each often but she does about a million things a day for him. (Story from today. Joyce threw away a cracked piece of the breathing machine after getting a new one. Dad: where's the old one? Joyce: I threw it away, Howard; it was broken. Dad: but we might need it. Joyce: NO WE DON'T. Dad: what if the new one breaks? Joyce: it's not gonna break, Howard; it's brand new. Dad: well, it still could break. Joyce: THEN WE'LL GET ANOTHER NEW ONE. Dad: just get that broken one out of the trash, Joyce. Joyce: Howard, I am not sticking my hand down in the trash, and that's that!
In the past two days it has seemed that he is a little more like his old self and a little less depressed. I think that he is beginning to believe that perhaps he is going to survive this. He has been quite cheered by messages from friends. Honestly, these messages are often the most uplifting part of his day. He is very touched by the many kind and thoughtful things people have had to say, and often laughs at the funny messages. He is truly lucky to have so many good friends. It is amazing to think that some of you have been friends of his for 50 years. Not many people maintain friendships over that period of time and I think that that is not unusual in fandom.
Anyway, for today at least, things are looking a little more optimistic. His computer is temporarily down and he asked me to respond to a couple of e-mails. He told the N3F that he thinks he can still do their mailings, told the Moffatts that he'll try to write something for a fanzine in September, and told Mike Glicksohn that he hoped to be able to see him at a convention in January. This was all during the best part of his day, and then he went to bed feeling poorly, but at least he's looking toward the future, which is more than could be said a couple of days ago.
I'm sure I've said more than anybody really wanted to know! Dad would love hearing from anyone who has time to write, and will write back when he can. And thank you all again for your kindness and friendship.
- Karol
