Marc Almond moved out of intensive care

IT staff? what did they write his brain some new code, or did they just say fuck it and re-format his hard drive?
seriously though, in the light of recent events a little sunshine is a wonderful thing.

Our hospitals seem to have taken to referring to what used to be known as Intensive Care Units as Intensive Therapy Units instead.

And a bloody good thing too.

If that doesn't sort out the underfunding, the ever-growing waiting lists, the ever-increasing bureaucracy, the shortage of suitably qualified staff, the failure to observe even the most basic hygiene, etc. etc. etc., then I'd like to know what will.

So would John Reid.

Is there any report of whether he's conscious or unconscious? Is he in a coma? Sure, we need to respect his privacy, but I think we should know that at least.

Maybe I'm being overly literal, but I took "His family have passed on to him the overwhelming amount of good wishes which have been received and Marc is aware of all the messages of love and support" to indicate that he has at least been conscious....

It suggests to me that they're talking to him and he's semi-conscious at least. But it all depends on their cosmology. I hope they're not spiritualists, for example.

Otoh I suppose there are an awful lot of people (and not just those fanciful types who might display a propensity to ascribe similar abilities to their dog / cat / budgie / hamster) who do seem to believe that sometimes people who are comatose can still hear....

Yeah, I was thinking about this when I received the note last night. I sure hope it means he was conscious...

Thank God.

It's a bit worrying, the bit about him being removed from the intensive care unit has been removed from the message on his website so, presumably, he's back there.

Happily a positive update:

3rd November 2004

A MESSAGE FROM MARC
Marc has asked us to pass on his thanks for all the good wishes he has
received from his fans. He is overwhelmed by the amount of support shown
and says it has been a big help. He is recovering slowly in hospital but
is confident he will get back to full health eventually, although he
realises it is going to take time.

Marc Almond thanks family, friends and fans.

I see he's going to be DJing in Camberwell in March. It's not on the bar's website, but I got the scoop:

THE RETURN OF MARC ALMOND
FRIDAY 4th March
Pearl Necklace @ Redstar
Just when you thought your favourite pop, indie & electro night couldn't get any better, it just did with the return of March Almond Djing glam and punked-up pop mayhem.
Email [email protected] Free B410, £5 after, £3 guestlist

And no, this is not a plug of something I'm involved in. I just thought some of you Londoners might want to know...

He's been doing a variety of interviews lately and been open about the fact he's still needing more physical therapy but otherwise seems to be on the mend.

He has said in recent interviews that he won't be able to DJ for a while.

'Nevertheless, Almond is chafing to restart his career. “I can’t go back to performing until May; they won’t insure me to go on stage until three months after my final operation,” he says. “But I’ll be back as soon as I’m allowed. I can’t go back to DJ-ing yet because I can’t lift my right arm — but I’m going to get an assistant. "'

So, perhaps he may appear at Redstar after all, ordering a flunkie to put the records on. "Peel me a grape, Beulah".

Here are two articles - both quite similar, as though he gave one group interview, which would make sense considering his frail state. The Times and The Observer.