Bunk’s Status

Wednesday proved to be a very exhausting day for Bunk, not necessarilydue toa lack of sleep or feeling unwell, but rather as a result of his acupuncture / therapy session in the early afternoon with Dr. Xi. We’ve made arrangements for her to come twice per week now, and she really seems to be putting Bunk through the paces with each successive visit. Last week she began working with Bunk on trunk “˜movement’ so to speak: she leans him forward in his wheelchair and he must push himself back up into the chair. Today, she worked him harder than ever with this exercise, as well as other such unorthodox moves as dropping his stronger right arm completely off the side of the chair and asking him to use whatever muscles available to him to get it back on the rest under his own power. Pulling off her many requests and pushing himself hard to complete the whole session without stopping to rest, Bunk did amazingly well, but the efforts knocked him off his feet for the remainder of the day, resulting in a very quiet afternoon and evening. Far too tired to attempt any of the newly scheduled CPAP breathing and weaning exercises, he promised to pick it up again on Thursday and felt his efforts were very well directed for the day.

The visits and activity of Tuesday contributed to Bunk’s successful day, beginning with a brief but pleasant visit with Mrs. Larson, arriving in the late morning with fresh doughnuts and some photos from her son Eric’s wedding. Bunk was feeling well and, since the day wasn’t quite as hot as days past, was more comfortable, too. Mrs. Valentine, celebrating her birthday, was able to stop by for a great visit with Mom while Mr. Valentine, accompanying his wife, was subjected to more of the same: fairly burdensome doses of stress as he endeavors to manage and eventually bring to fruition the building and completion of “˜Bunk’s Bungalow’. It has been a massive, nearly thankless undertaking for Mr. Valentine, for which we wish to thank him! Bunk motors down in his wheelchair everyday now to check on the progress, and quite possibly to derive encouragement from its origins as well as its goals: generosity of hearts and hands working to bring independence, hope and dignity to a physically broken man’s life. I know I speak for Bunk and our whole family in saying that witnessing such an undertaking is an incredibly humbling and moving experience. Meanwhile, back in the house, with the perfect box of See’s Candy in hand for Bunk, Aunt Mary Catherine arrived to help Mom with the bill paying, paperwork, filing and organization, only to witness Mom take immediate ownership of the entire box of chocolates. In addition to all of her hard work and sweet intentions, when Aunt Mary Catherine said goodbye at the end of the day she left money for Mom to purchase a replacement box of chocolates for its originally intended recipient! Mom got quite a kick out of relating that story to me. In the early afternoon, just after being helped up into his wheelchair, Bunk was visited by Ted Lawton, his doctor, who arrived to check in on him and help hatch a weaning plan for Bunk, Mom and whoever else might be involved to pursue immediately. Bunk began his 1 hour of CPAP breathing that evening under a newly lowered pressure setting, per Ted’s request, as well as 1 hour each morning. He will no longer use any other settings on the vent aside from the CPAP and the complete assisted control setting. 45 minutes into last night’s breathing exercises and Bunk was feeling the weight and requested to go back to total breathing assistance from the ventilator. Mom bluntly reminded him that Ted requested 1 hour, and that this only left him with 15 minutes to go. With a confident look on his face and a seeming shrug if he could do one, Bunk’s response of “15 minutes? I can do that” was a great thing to hear. Both Bunk’s good friend Monty and Derek came by in the late afternoon and early evening for somefun visiting and game watching, with Bunk and Derek later enjoying the fantastic Angel game while carrying on and on with the sports trivia talk, even looping Dad into the conversation somehow. The tremendous support today helped to boost Bunk’s already upbeat spirits, and most certainly made his day muchmore interesting and fun than it otherwise wouldhave been. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit, and to Ted Lawton for his efforts and hope to see Bunk breathe again! Please remember Bunk - and our parents as they try their best to encourage and support him - in your prayers as he begins to work on his weaning and breathing again. Don’t forget this Labor Day weekend’s Nationwide Lemonade Stand for Bunk!

On a typically active Monday, before Bunk left home for his early afternoon appointments at St. Jude Hospital, he met with the wound care nurse at home, who again felt that Bunk’s wound was healing nicely. At the hospital, Bunk decided against his neuropsychologist appointment and instead made time for the speech pathologist, who helped him with the brief procedure of adding a Passy Muir valve to his tracheotomy that supposedly will help strengthen his voice. The procedure went well, and although he tried this very same valve at Casa Colina last year and didn’t care for it, today it seemed to make a positive difference in his voice, and therefore his ability to communicate. Additionally, the very upbeat news of his breathing exercises having gone well indicated a wonderful accomplishment for Bunk: breathing all on his own, without any ventilator interference for seventeen minutes was a happy moment. Once at home, it was a very quiet afternoon and evening. Dad and Bunk received a very nice visit from our good family friend Ronnie in the late afternoon; Ronnie brought some reels by for Dad and the three talked fishing for a while before Bunk had a little dinner, eventually asking to be helped back into bed. Although the day was quiet, it was indeed a very positive day for Bunk. Thanks for stopping by to check in on Bunk and for always keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

Bunk did not get a full night of sleep so he took advantage of the nurse’s assistant not coming today to catch up on some z’s. Sally took this opportunity to do a complete grooming overhaul; something that usually doesn’t happen in the wake ofthe typical morning routine. Bunk snoozed in and out while Sally painstakingly washed his hair and shaved him in the manner she prefers (what mother doesn’t want her son looking his best?). A Eucharistic Minister from St. Norbert’s Church arrived and shared communion and a spiritual moment with the family. Since they are not getting to church these days, this time is a very welcomed and appreciated weekly event.During another of Bunk’s waking moments he commented to Sally that it smelled like rain.Sure enough Sally looked outside and saw a gentle mist turn into bigger drops. It’s interesting howin-tune Bunk is to his environment despite his limited exposure. Due to his napping he wasn’t up in his chair until late in the afternoon. Since it was just thethree of them today, Sally, Red and Bunk enjoyed the Angel game and were very excited they won. When I spoke with Sally later in the evening, they were allheading to bed. She asked that I thank everyone for their continued support and prayers.Mentions of your generosity and selfless acts are not enough for you to truly know how much you are valued to our family. Thank you.

Bunk slept well Friday night and woke up hungry, which we all took as a great sign. Doughnuts and chocolate milk were on his mental menu so Red and Sally happily delivered. Stephanie, the physical therapist, returned from a few weeks of vacation and was well received by Bunk. He was happy to have some soothing manual therapy on his tense neck. She asked Bunk for an update and Bunk reported he had a strong voice for over a week. That he chose to mention this over many other things reinforces how critical it is to him.She and Bunk also talked about exercises to help get Bunk off his ventilator.After Stephanie left, he requested enchiladas for dinner so Sally was thrilled to tell me that Bunk “had a 2-meal day” and ate most of what he’d asked for. They enjoyed watching the Angel game and then the Chargers. Easing into the night they looked forward to another day of strong voices and perhaps some CPAP breathing.We are always so grateful to you all for the continued prayers and throughtful gestures that come to the Wurth house. You can feel the strength of your support as you cross the threshold everytime.

I told Bunk I’d be doing the update and asked if he’d like to give me his version of his day. He smiled and responded, “It was fine.” I tracked Sally down for more details. Bunk slept well last night and woke to a familiar morning routine that ended when the wound care nurse arrived and happily told Bunk things are improving.The nurse’s assistant agreed to stay late today so Sally could take her grandkids, Jack and Kate, to the beach. It was their first trip together to the beach all summer. Sally, Jack and Katemet up with Sally’s sister and her grandkids for a fun-filled day. Bunkwas up in his chair in time for Dr. Xi, his acupuncturist, to work her magic and focus on him moving his trunk. Later, Monty was a welcomed visitor during some key TV viewing since Red was under the sink most of the afternoon fixing a surprise leak. I arrived later to hear about the beach day and how Bunk held up in Sally’s absence, which went off without a hitch. A Zito’s pizza dinner during the Angel game was a nice ending to the day. Of course during commercial breaks we had to switch to see what was goingon withthe Rams/Raiders. When Jack, Kate and I left, Bunk was heading to bed. We told Bunk we were going to have “Bunk’s Lemonade Stand” over Labor Day weekend. We have a few banners at Red and Sal’s house if anyone would like to borrow one for their own lemonade stand that weekend. Just come on by to pick it up.

Another in a line of nights with little sleep and some pronounced efforts in the exercise portion of his acupuncture therapy session left Bunk absolutely exhausted by Thursday morning. There has been some airway suctioning needs, although less frequently than last week, but after this morning’s minor airway fixes Bunk was able to squeeze in a few hours of CPAP breathing during his morning routine. Following the morning routine, Bunk fell fast asleep and remained so for nearly four hours. As Bunk is a relative unknown in the daytime sleeping crowd, Mom was slightly on edge while Bunk slept soundly and without incident for so long - she continued to check on him frequently to make sure nothing was amiss. In the quiet of the afternoon, Bunk’s good friend and rugby mate Monty stopped by to visit, only to find him calmly sleeping, so he decided to try again the following day rather than interrupt his much needed rest. Once Bunk did wake up, Mom and Dad helped him up into his wheelchair and out into the living room, where he and Dad watched the ballgame, while forgoing a proper meal to munch on a bunch of their favorite non nutritious snacks. It was a very mellow evening with good spirits all around and more sound sleep in store for Bunk through the evening. Thanks for checking in and for our patience as I try to catch up on the updates. Bunk’s managed to have a decent week, and we ask for your positive thoughts and prayers for a slightly better one this coming week.

Awaking after a night of very little sleep, Bunk managed to pull himself together and be up for a very busy day with therapists and visitors. The morning routine was more of the usual stuff he has no choice but to tolerate, but when he was finally helped up into his wheelchair at 1:00, in time for his acupuncture and therapy with Dr. Xi, he was ready to get down to the business of hard work. Dr. Xi worked with Bunk, for the first time, on movement in his trunk: she would pull him forward in his seat and he would have to push himself back into his chair, which, amazingly, he managed to do. The accomplishment must have been a huge confidence booster, because, when Dr. Xi asked Bunk to demonstrate his abilities in getting himself around in his wheelchair, he hopped on the chance and wheeled himself all around the house, both inside and out - even through the incredibly narrow doorways through which we have trouble pushing him. Mom and Dad both said, as their collective jaw dropped, that they had no idea he was capable of such maneuvering and precision. Soon, he will be more capable of getting himself around once his new, accessible home is up and running. It seems Bunk hasn’t been able to work on his CPAP breathing thus far this week, but he and Dr. Xi have hatched a plan for more therapy sessions: at least twice a week, with the possibility of shifting up to three sessions per week. Dr. Xi and her incredibly positive attitude will be some of the best therapy dollars spent. After all the hard work of his therapy, Bunk wanted to check out his new pad and enjoyed being outside and relaxing after his daily inspection of the apartment. They enjoyed an early dinner before the early evening transfer back to bed, where they watched yet another ballgame and rested for the remainder of the evening, until the night nurse arrived to relieve Mom and Dad.

Mostly a day of recovery from Monday’s busy schedule, a great deal of Tuesday was spent resting and taking things very slowly. A full round of range of motion exercises in addition to e-stim on Bunk’s abs were added to the morning routine, making it longer than its usual lengthy self. Midday provided a nice change of pace for Mom and Dad when Mike and Norma Toohey arrived with lunch for everyone and enough energy to help them with their endless chores in the garden. Since the day was beautiful, if hot, it was a nice time for Mom and Dad to be outside, especially when Bunk’s day is calm and going smoothly and the nurse’s assistant can manage on his own without the additional help. Later in the evening, Bunk enjoyed watching the Angel game with Mom and Dad; finding all three in a relaxed, comfortable state simultaneously is something of ananomaly these days, prompting Mom to mention a few times that it was nice for all of them to sit together and just enjoy being together calmlyfor a nice, long while. Bunk’s spirits were up throughout the day, and he is looking forward to Wednesday’s appointment with the acupuncturist / therapist, whose visits he is hoping will increase in the coming weeks. Thank you for always remembering Bunk throughout your day and keeping him in your hearts.

Monday began on a slightly easier note than the past few days since Bunk’s airway suctioning needs weren’t quite as demanding as they have been. With a visit from the wound care nurse serving as his first formal appointment of the week, her evaluation of his wound appearing to be dramatically improved since her last visit made for a very positive start to his day. The business and stress of getting Bunk up and to his many Monday appointments was unfailing again this morning, but was met with a pleasant, if minor, change of pace: Bunk driving his newly repaired wheelchair as much as he possibly could. He operated his chair with his chin drive in areas that provided him with a comfortable, safe setting; operating his chair at home is nearly impossible since the house is not accessible to him. Great pains are being taken to make certain his new apartment is entirely accessible to him, whether or not he chooses to access it. In any case, his willingness to mobilize himself is a step in the right direction, a definite improvement. As far as I could gather from Mom’s comments, CPAP breathing never occurred today; however, he did manage while at therapy to breathe on his own, without assistance from the ventilator, for ten minutes. After his round of St. Jude appointments, Bunk, Mom and Dad returned home in the heat of the afternoon and decided to spend a little time outside on the back porch in the fresh air before heading back indoors. Bunk has been making a concerted effort everyday to spend even a little time outside, and the desire to check on the progress of his new home daily aids this effort. A great visit with his friend Jeff Woertink at 5:00, just after he finished his late lunch, followed by an extra innings win for the Angels contributed to his respectably good evening. The ballgame seemed to go on forever, so sometime during the game it became necessary to help transfer him back into bed and finally out of the wheelchair to relieve some pressure on the wound. Mom commented to me this evening that she is hoping against hope that Bunk is finally about to turn a corner with the healing of his wound and the possible opportunities available to him once he moves on from there. Let’s all hope and pray for positive changes for Bunk to be on the near horizon!