Bunk’s Status

Mom’s summary update:
Monday, Bunk addressed breathing issues. He worked on glossopharyngeal breathing at St. Jude’s Outpatient Rehab with his therapist Val. She has been working with him to close off his nose when he is breathing in so air does not escape. He is getting the hang of it.

I sent Bunk’s breathing report from the previous week to Ted Lawton, his doctor. He was breathing for one half hour twice a day on spontaneous mode on the ventilator. Bunk was initiating all his own breaths but received a little support from the ventilator. I sent him his breathing schedule, the volumes of his respirations, and his oxygen saturation during and after breathing exercises. Ted called and changed his schedule. This week he is to be on spontaneous for 1 hour twice a day. Bunk readily does his work on spontaneous and has managed it effortle ssly or so it appears. He can talk while he is on spontaneous although his voice is lower in tone and volume.

He managed his increased times readily during the week. One day he opted to do 3 breathing sessions because he wasn’t getting the full hour in so he went as long as he could before getting interrupted by a scheduled activity. It added up to 2 hours but we have to try to keep to the regimen. One day he only went once but was on spontaneous for 1 1/2 hours. I have found that we have to get the breathing training started as soon as possible in the day so as to give us a span of time to get the second session completed. The weekly check ins with the doctor are great. Among other things it is an incentive for Bunk to make sure he gets his breathing work done every day.

Baseball, baseball, baseball. Dave Daly has been talking with Bunk about the June 13th Angel Game. Having purchased the tickets in advance, I received the them in the mail this week. Now I am figuring out how to operationalize the ticket delivery and food management. Bunk is excited about the event and Dave is onto all the details of getting it off the ground. Bunk is especially looking forward to sharing the day with many friends and family. He’s such a social guy and he loves being in the middle of such a fun gathering. We hope to see you all there.

On Thursday, we went to the Angel day game. Derek and I took Bunk to the ball park. Monty joined us as did Don and Dave Ward, Rick and some friends. It was a great game. The Angels played Boston and it went for 12 innings with the Angels pulling it out at the bottom of the 12th. Can you believe I am even talking baseball like I know what I am talking about. Bunk will be the first to tell you I still don’t know anything about any of the sports and how they work on a professional level. I keep trying and actually watched just about every pitch while we were in the game. That’s a real first for me. The weather was spectacular, Bunk had been sunning himself all week but the ballgame was the best, sunny, warm, and a breeze. We didn’t get breathing in today due to getting up and out to the ball game and when we got home Derek, Bunk, and their Dad went out to the Tipsy to watch TV, of course.

Red has been working daily on the finish work in the Tipsy. We are getting close. Red’s goal is to have Bunk moved in by the end of June. We’ll see. Bunk makes no predictions. Brian Trujillo has been coming over to help Red and that keeps things moving forward. Getting appliances and fixtures installed, the pocket door made and installed and the wiring all completed will bring us to final painting and inspection. Just thinking about organizing all his equipment and care supplies out there is a bit overwhelming for me. Please don’t let my lack of organization be the hold up. There are so many loose ends to tie up.

Bunk is still doing his standing frame once a week. This week he stood straight and tall for 45 minutes and tolerated it very well. He likes to stand. It would be great for him to stand at least once a day but it really takes at least 2 people, one of them being his physical therapist, to accomplish the task. In acupuncture,Dr. Xi had him doing some arm movement by putting his arm in his lap and having him lift his arm up and try to get it back on the arm rest. “I can feel it in my triceps and it really tires me.” Good work Bunk! He has gotten strong in the shoulders and can elicit quite a bit of movement in his arms. Dr. Xi assists his arm back to the arm rest after Bunk has moved his arm as far as he can get it. The therapy sessions during the week are the life blood of Bunk’s week thanks to the dedicated friends that support their activity. What a gift.

On Saturday we were off to his brother Derek’s house. Their town has an Armed Forces Day Parade and the entire street is closed off for a block party following the parade. Derek and Bev are leaders in the neighborhood with Derek and friends BBQing and Beverly organizing all the participants and getting the official permission to block off the street. It was easy access for Bunk. He just rolled out of the van onto the street to where everything was happening. Derek, his Dad and Derek’s friends took good care of Bunk feeding him beer until the food was ready. I sat and enjoyed the newspaper and sun for awhile, visited with my grandchildren and ate really good food. The local fire truck with accompanying firemen joined the block for food and let all the children climb into the driver’s seat of the fire engine. It was a pleasant, simple and uncomplicated day.

The week’s activities didn’t stop on Saturday. Sunday brought a call from Jeff Woertink, asking Bunk to join him at his friend’s Chris and Stacy’s home in San Juan Capistrano to watch the Laker game. After the Eucharistic Minister Bunk was up. I drove him down to San Juan to the beautiful home of Chris and Stacy. The home was totally wheel chair accessible with a terrific BBQ in the patio with TVs for the viewing of the game. Bunk was in heaven. Outside with a TV to boot and wonderful food and people. I was able to again catch a seat, rest and enjoy the beautiful weather and surroundings. We thank Jeff for the invite and Chris and Stacy for the hospitality.

Bunk’s social calendar is expanding. He is stronger on a consistent basis and it is reflected in these outings. A while back we would have to plan his level of participation in events around how he was feeling on the day. That has not been the case for quite a while now. He is ready to venture out even on a last minute notice like on Sunday and a month or so ago when Marty and Priti got him out to the Cal State Fullerton baseball game. It is a real milestone that we can consider and realize such last minute activities. As Bunk would say “Let’s hop in the van and go.” More power to him and big thank you to all of you who include him in your activities. A broader thank you to all who pray and support him that has allowed for this progress. The return of an active schedule of things to do especially social activities is a reflection of how good he is doing mentally, physically, and spiritually. Thank you all and God Bless.

Mom’s summary update:
This was a very eventful week starting with BJ’s Restaurant fundraiser for Bunk. Rana Schirmer a dear friend of Bunk’s organized a fundraiser through BJ’s Restaurants where she is the finance director (Sorry, Rana, this is most likely the wrong title). On Monday, May 4th all Southern California BJ Restaurants donated 15% of the cost of meals of customers who presented a flyer advertising the fundraiser. Bunk, his Dad and I went to the Brea BJ’s at about 7 PM to meet up with rugby friends. I also ran into personal friends of mine who were there to support Bunk as well. Friends and family went to Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Torrance and Tustin restaurants to name a few. Rana said that the Brea Restaurant had the greatest turnout and that La Mesa was next. Who were the great supporters in La Mesa? I know one of Bunk’s friends, Kendra, worked with her workplace and ordered out a large sum of take out for lunch from BJs. How totally nice of everyone to go out of their way to support Bunk by going out to dinner and hustling others to do the same. Such thoughtfulness always overwhelms me. Big thank yous to everyone who participated and especially Rana and BJ’s Restaurants. Thanks also to Kevin Traut and all the other networks of notification for the event. Bunk’s nurse for the day, Megan, was getting text messages from friends in Corona who work at BJs to tell her about the event. Little did they know that she was going with Bunk and family to the Brea location for dinner. It was great fun for Bunk as he loves being with all his friends. Fundraisers always are great events for him to meet and greet. He is most appreciative of everyone’s generosity. What a way to start the week!

Cinco de Mayo called for Our Lady of Guadalupe Taqueria tacos to celebrate the day. Ted Lawton, Bunk’s doctor, kindly stopped by the house to work with Bunk on a regular regimen of breathing on the spontaneous mode on his vent. It is to consist of Bunk initiating his own breaths with some support from the ventilator. He wants Bunk to get back into the pattern of initiating his own breathing for longer periods of time on a daily basis. He is to start out with 30 minutes of spontaneous breathing twice a day. I am to monitor his volumes and pulse oxygen and report in to Ted in a week. He will evaluate what to do next. Bunk of course was all for it and did 2 sessions successfully on the first day. This is the first attempt at breathing with a prescribed duration and frequency on a daily basis that Ted will monitor regularly on an ongoing basis. Bunk is mentally and physically ready. Pray hard.
0A

When Bunk was first home from the hospital, he had a home visiting occupational therapist who would hold his leg out and have Bunk roll his leg inward off her finger tips. She would also do the same with his hand while holding it on its side. He could slowly get his legs and hands turned inward enough to roll off the hand supporting them. We hadn’t done those exercises for quite a while. We started them again this week. He is a little stronger on his legs but his response on his hands is dramatic. He has much more shoulder strength but I was surprised to see him initiate such specific activity so readily and with such strength. I mentioned it to Dr. Xi. She was not surprised as she has been working on his arm and shoulder strength religiously from the get go. She puts his arms in different positions and has him with some support from her move them in a given direction. He definitely is using more muscles to accomplish these tasks.

On Thursday, Derek came by to hook up Bunk’s new 47″ TV out in the Tipsy. Dave Daly came by to check out all of Bunk’s new TV’s and they all spent the afternoon out in the Tipsy, his brother, Dave, Megan, and Red watching TV. It was a preview of what is to come when Bunk is moved into his place. He loves it out there. It is his place and not living with his parents. He spe nt the majority of the day outside, in the garage with his dad or up in the Tipsy checking out the progress and watching TV. Thursday night we were off to the “No Bad Days” softball game at Hart Park. Bunk’s first outing of the softball season as the weather is warmer and this day was particularly warm and beautiful. Of course he went to “Marty’s” for beer with the guys afterward.

On Friday, Bunk was scheduled to have his power wheel chair’s seat widened and lengthened to better fit him and his cushion. It took most of the day. Bunk had to stay in bed until 4 PM when we got him up into the chair to check everything out. He also got a new chin drive set up that he will be trying out. it is much more sensitive than his old one. Both Stephanie, his physical therapist, and Dr. Xi, his acupuncturist, worked on Bunk while he was still in bed. They were able to work on different areas with Bunk reclined in bed. Thank goodness for the therapists. It is hard for Bunk to stay in bed. He wants to up as soon as possible in the morning and gets back to bed around 10 PM at night. Bed is not his favorite place. Brian Wolf was a welcome visitor. He brought chicken enchiladas that Amanda had made for Bunk. We will all enjoy them thoroughly especially since I h ave never made an enchilada in my life and it is a rare treat to have a homemade enchilada dinner.

The first year Bunk was home from the hospital, Eric Fischer arranged a poker night for Bunk here at the house. At that time they played poker in Bunk’s room while he was in bed. Eric had brought a beautiful set of chips and large cards and card holders for Bunk, they had a wonderful time. Bunk was up for another poker party. He worked with Kevin Traut and Saturday night was the night. Bunk wanted it held in the Tipsy. The TV was set up, the refrigerator was plugged in, the sofa and chairs were there and I set up some card tables. The Tipsy is getting broken in and was the perfect venue for such an event. Kevin Traut, Eric Fischer, Dave Jacobs, Brian Criss, Steve O’Donnell, Blair Woodard (the Servite crew) and Todd Komori, Marty and Priti Franco, Gilbert Salazar, Leigh Wilksen, and Colleen Fink all made Bunk’s night great fun. Leigh held Bunk’s cards for him and helped him play and everyone helped him sip his beer through the straw. Bunk’s diligence at getting the TV and having his brother hook it up paid off as any all sporting events of the evening were enjoyed along with cards, beer, wine, cigars, and some Cosco frozen lasagna. I hope they all had enough to drink to give me a pass on the lasagna. Bunk’s place truly is set up to be a great place for a party or gathering of any k ind. Perfect for Bunk. He is getting quite a social calendar, three nights out this week.

Sunday was Mother’s Day. God bless all you mother’s out there. You are special and essential and I pray for you.
Peggy Taylor dropped off a delicious coffee cake (thank you, Peggy, you are always so kind) and Tom Brand brought Holy Communion. I was able to make it to the 12 Noon Mass. I stood in the back of the church since I always seem to get there late. I was next to a very busy and beautiful little family with 4 young children. It was Bill O’Connell who graduated with Derek from Servite and has been a kind supporter of Bunk. Derek, Bev, Jack and Kate came over in the afternoon to celebrate Mother’s Day. We talked to Erica to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day. As Red and Derek spent over a half an hour cooking chicken breasts while they drank their beer and Bev and I spent over an hour putting everything else together not to mention the clean up, we decided that next year it would be In and Out Burgers for everyone and as effortless as possible for Bev and me. We’ ll see.

Bunk worked on his breathing all week, going at it twice a day sometimes up to 40 minutes. He did well on all counts, his volumes and oxygen saturation was good. I asked what he thought about his good volumes on his breaths. He said “It’s easy, you just take a longer b reath”. Pretty simple. Things seem to be working so far.

What a busy week with many enjoyable activities like those Bunk would have been doing prior to his injury. What a blessing, actually a wonderful Mother’s Day gift.

In closing, we ask your prayers for our dear lifelong friend, John Connolly (Rojo) who passed away on Mother’s Day after a brief but acute illness. Rojo was our good friend and a kind supporter of Bunk, playing in the golf tournament and coming to visit at the house. We will dearly miss him.

God bless.

Mom’s summary update:
Bunk was tired Monday morning not having slept well the previous night. We made it to St. Jude’s Outpatient Rehab where he worked with his therapist Val on Glossopharyngeal Breathing (GPB). He had worked on GPB at Craig Hospital and Casa Colina but Val’s approach is teaching Bunk how to close off his nose when he is breathing through his mouth so air doesn’t escape through his nose. He is getting the knack of it. He is working on breathing on many different levels. We aren’t giving up. He breathes off the ventilator during transfers, during part of his acupuncture treatment, during his power lung workouts, and whenever we can. It is not all coordinated but Bunk is much more comfortable and confident when going off the vent. He readily allows me to disconnect his vent.

I bought a new boogie board for our grandson Jack. Red asked “Is this Bunk’s board?” Bunk answered “Not right now, maybe in a couple of years”. Bunk is planning ahead.

0A
Bunk continues to get around independently on the computer and does some writing using commands of click on a keyboard. He moves the mouse around with an infrared dot on the end of his nose. You can hear him daily, “Page up, Page down, click” It has allowed him to utilize his computer more completely. We have to set it all up and turn it on and off and sometimes do the clicking to help him out but it is a far cry from when we had to do everything which was so frustrating for him to have to give step by step directions on what he wanted.

I have spoken before about ATEC of the Goodwill’s work with Bunk on what would be the best computer programs for him. The plan is to have the MAC mounted on his wheel chair and a PC to be permanently set up on a desk that he can roll up to. I think we are getting close. The wiring is all in place out in the Tipsy for the PC but there will be different program elements than what he is utilizing on the MAC. I get very confused. Bunk seems to understand everything that is progressing, thank goodness. We have been working on this for a year and a half. Hopefully it will come together at the right time.

Bunk’s bed broke Wednesday night while Bunk was in bed. The ability to raise and lower the head of the bed failed . In the middle of night I was up with Israel trying to prop Bunk us in a semi sitting position in bed. We wedged pillows under the mattress overlay trying to make it as stable as possible. Bunk was very tolerant although I know it was not very comfortable for him. He generally lies on his back in a semi sitting position. His mattress overlay changes air pressure and turns him slowly and subtly in bed. It is good for his lungs and changes the pressure on his skin. He is very sensitive to slipping down in bed and frequently needs to be pulled up in bed to the point his head is at the top of the mattress next to the head board. Except for Israel, it takes two people to pull Bunk up in bed. It makes me think of how much he tolerates each day when he relies on us for positioning him. This was a real challenge as we had to unload all the wedges and pillows to get the mattress flat so we could pull him up. Nothing is simple.

He made it through the night. We had a fairly normal morning working around the adaptations we had made. Once he was up in his wheel chair, Red analyzed the situation and figured out what was wrong. Thank goodness for Red. I just assume that he will always figure out what is and wrong when something breaks and how we (he) will fix it. Red called the bed company and ordered the replacement parts and had them shipped overnight. Of course that meant that Bunk had another night on propped up pillows. He was very tired on the following day, taking long naps. In the early evening he revived. We received the replacement bed parts and Red spent the day repairing the bed. It took him most of the day. Friday night Bunk was able to return to a “normal” bed situation. He did not complain throughout the whole ordeal even though it was a true test of tolerance. His whole situation is a test of tolerance. He is a Prince.

On Saturday, Bunk offered to go with Red and I to Long Beach Memorial Hospital so we could visit a dear friend, Rojo, who was very ill. I would not have been able to go if Bunk hadn’t offered to go along. He went all the way up to the lobby of the ICU with us. It was very generous of Bunk and we appreciated his willingness to support us and Rojo in such a way. His Aunt Mary Catherine and Uncle Ron were at the hospital, as well and we all went to Joe Jost’s for Joe’s Specials on the way home. Bunk had a good visit with his cousin Julie who joined us. Joe Jost’s is always a special place for Bunk and all of us.

Bunk had one more stop on the way home. He had been researching on line wide screen TV’s and had come up with a hole in the wall place that sold bargain priced TV’s. We found the place and Bunk was right, they were a great price. Bunk selected a 47″ HD TV. Just what he wanted for the Tipsy. Red was to go back the next day to purchase it. We got home about 8 PM. A lot of special experiences this Saturday.

Sunday, the Eucharistic Minister came with Holy Communion. I even got to the 12 Noon Mass. We have had a new weekend caregiver for the mornings for the past few weeks. When someone is able to help in the morning on Sundays, I have a better chance at getting to Mass and today I did. During the day his wound vac leaked and we had to put him back to bed to fix it. I disconnected him from his vent during the transfer from the wheelchair to the bed and vice versa. The only problem was his wheel chair’s tilt mechanism stalled and we couldn’t get the wheel chair in position to return him to it. Poor Bunk. This was a week of electrical failures. I can just imagine how frustrating it must have been for him as Red and I were fit to be tied with trying to figure out what to do. The wheel chair became operational again (who knows how) and Bunk was finally up permanently for the rest of the day. Many trials presented themselves to Bunk this week. These electrical failures are major disturbances to his comfort and quality of life especially since they don’t usually have a quick fix. As I look back, I am amazed at his presence of mind to handle each one and move on wi thout complaint. God bless my son.

It all ended well for Bunk because Red went out and got the TV Bunk had picked out the day before. He can’t wait to get it installed out in the Tipsy. He said, “Call Derek so he can get it set up”. The Tipsy will be in use before he moves in. TV”s can do that.

We send our gratitude, love, and prayers to you all. God Bless.

Mom can’t find the paperwork… she or I’ll will write something as soon as the notes turn up! Additional weeks are being posted now.

Mom’s Summary update:
Erica and Eric stayed on after Easter and we were able to have the grandkids for the week after Easter. Eric was working hard on the low voltage wiring and various electrical jobs out in the Tipsy - he’s done them and redone them many times now due to the ongoing changes. He took me out to look at televisions that could be purchased for Bunk’s new place. We got a 40″ HD TV that will be mounted up on the wall in his bedroom. Currently, we have this bright, big screened TV in the parlor for all our viewing pleasure. The colors are so bright that it hurts my eyes. Bunk loves it and can’t wait to get it out to “his place.” Thank you, Eric. We moved the old TV from the parlor out to the Tipsy and now I find Bunk, his brother, and the grandkids all out there at times getting away from it all to watch TV in private in the Tipsy: air conditioning, window screens, views and all.

Aunt Mary Catherine and Cousin Stephanie came out to look at an old family secretary that we had stored in one of the storage containers. She liked it and was up for taking it home. Thank you, Stephanie. The best part of the day for Bunk was the chocolate chip cookies Stephanie brought. “Stephanie’s famous chocolate chip cookies”, just like the ones auctioned off at the Golf Tournament. Red was thrilled because now we are down to one storage container with Bunk’s stuff.

As Bunk says “I am glad when Erica is here, I get some home cooked meals”. That certainly proved true this week. Between Eric’s breakfasts and Erica’s dinners, and a birthday dinner for Red on Friday we were all well fed.

On Friday, I took the opportunity to take the grandkids to the beach down at Los Alamitos Bay in Long Beach where I used to take my children when they were little. We came home to celebrate Red’s birthday in time to see the Wolf family who had come to visit it Bunk. Monty had also been by. A busy day culminating in the whole family being here for Red. Easter and this following week has been wonderful with many opportunities for the whole family to be together.

Bunk continued with his workout routines and therapies during the week but it all got absorbed in the many activities going on around the house. Bunk managed just fine with all the goings on. He and Erica did planning for the Tipsy. Erica brought down a painting she did for Bunk’s wall. We now have a sofa, two chairs, a coffee table, two side tables, the rug, one television and a selection of art out in the Tipsy. I am going to have to start cleaning it regularly. It must be telling us all that we are getting close to being done. Bunk is certainly ready. A year ago I would not have said he was as ready as he is now.

Erica and family departed on Saturday to return to San Francisco. We were then off to McKinney Wolf’s (Bunk’s Godchild) 3rd birthday party. The weather was beautiful all weekend. On Sunday, Leigh Spalding and Jeff Woertink visited a different times during the day. Sports were a constant watching basketball, baseball, and hockey.

A busy week, filled with activity, family and friends, thank you, God,

Mom will be writing one or two more of her weekly updates and then I will try to get back to my daily updates. Thank you again for your constancy.

Mom’s update:
One week at a time. I remember when it was one day at a time. I wish I had the stay awake power to get three weeks at a time for these updates. I would feel I was keeping you all better informed on dear Bunk. He is so constant each day. I always try to put myself in his place. Unless we are in his shoes we can never know and he is not one to tell you. I often wonder what goes through his mind. I know he keeps busy thinking different things through in great detail because I hear about it when he wants to share it and every detail has been thought through carefully. God bless my dear son.

Bunk is looking forward to joining friends at BJ’s Restaurant on Monday, May 4th. A percentage of the proceeds of meals served at all Southern California BJ’s Restaurants to those who bring the flyer from the website will go to Bunk that day. Thank you, Rana, thank you, BJs, and thank you, all of you.

On to the update.

April 6 through April 12, 2009

This is Holy Week. The end of Lent. One of my Lenten resolutions was to get to Church more frequently and I have not been successful being unable to make it clear to get to church on Sundays. Thank goodness for Eucharistic Ministers that come to read the Gospel and give Holy Communion.

The week started out sunny and warm. Bunk was outside in the later morning and got a pretty good workout including his shoulder weights, abdominal e-stim, resistance bands for his neck muscles, and power lung. I love it on days when his energy level is such that he dictates such a good exercise routine.

He watched opening day of baseball from the get go this morning and picked it up again when he came back into the house. He’s still watching the NCAA tournament, as well. A lot of directions to “Hit previous” on the remote as he goes back and forth between games.

By the afternoon he was tired out but was working on the computer using Keystrokes to write. He would surf the net by writing the email address in by giving voice commands. He even wrote an email. He was talking again about Masters degree programs and has sent away to about 2 or 3 schools for some literature.

Megan pulled up some old pictures of Bunk off the website from during the first year of his injury. He couldn’t believe how thin he was and how much he leaned to the right in his wheel chair. He has certainly filled out and sits so much more erect. When you compare today with back then you realize how much stronger he is now and the progress he has made.
< div>

On Tuesday, Billy Seitz dropped off his dog, Walter, to stay with us until Derek could pick him on the way home from work. Derek was to watch the dog while Bill was traveling. Bunk and Walter spent some quality time outside. Bunk rolled out onto the grass and called Walter. Walter came over to Bunk and sat by his feet at the wheelchair. Bunk loves dogs.

On Wednesday, Bunk received in the mail the new power lung John Daly had sent him. It is the next step up on the resistance scale for his breathing exercises from the first power lung that John got for Bunk. When I get discouraged about his progress in breathing, the power lung always reminds me that he is making measurable progress.

I was able to get down San Diego way to my Aunt Sully’s in Cardiff by the Sea to join her for her 94th birthday. Aunt Sully, the Smiths and Schweizers were all able to be together to take her to lunch. Aunt Sully and I probably enjoyed getting out more than anyone. Happy Birthday, Aunt Sully! All of Bunk’s scheduled activities took place without a glitch: Dr. Xi and Larry Honikel but Bunk was sleepy in the afternoon with some dizzy spells.

Holy Thursday. I wanted to get to church but didn’t make it. Bunk watched the Masters Golf Tournament and was joined by Brian Wolf who brought Carne Asada tacos for everyone. That went over great with Bunk and Red especially since Brian had gone to Our Lady of Guadalupe Taqueria, their favorite. Bunk was again very tired in the afternoon. He had not slept well the night before and took a nap for about 1 1/2 hours. Bunk cat naps in his wheel chair but rarely sleeps for that long a period of time straight through once he is up.

Good Friday. I did get up to Church around midday. Bunk again did not sleep well and was napping off and on all morning. He did well with Dr. Xi and was off the vent for 10 minutes breathing on his own. She always makes sure his breathing is addressed no matter how he feels. But I must say Bunk will always try especially when Dr. Xi is there. Erica, Eric and the kids arrived late at night to celebrate Easter and Easter week with the family.

A busy Saturday with preparations for Easter and all the grandkids were able to be here and stay the night together. We dyed Easter Eggs, set out a dish of goodies and notes for the Easter Bunny. Bunk was dozing frequently in the AM and later watching the Masters, baseball games and visiting with his nieces and nephews. He had a nice break in the day with a visit from John and Connie Daly. The parlor was the scene of the kids sleepover after Bunk went to bed.

Easter Sunday started with the Easter Egg hunt. There was more eggs than20ever this year and baby Helen was able to get out there and retrieve those eggs most obviously lying in the grass. Her cousins and brother and sister were a big help. It was a beautiful, sunny morning. The Eucharistic Ministers brought Holy Communion and readings from Church. We all gathered together and I joined Erica, Eric and all the grandkids and got to a Noon Mass. It was so crowded we stood outside but could hear. Thank goodness we had the Eucharistic Ministers earlier. Derek and Bev came over and Erica and Bev put together a lovely Easter dinner. Thank you. Erica had planned out a tasty menu that made for the celebration of the day. Derek and Bunk watched the Masters, what a day. Phil Mikelson almost pulled it off. I couldn’t watch. Derek helped Bunk by setting up a new DVD, Bunk joked that “They have taken away my button pushing privileges” We even had Walter again for awhile until Bill stopped by to pick him up on his way home. It’s always a blessing to have the entire family together. It especially makes Bunk’s day.

I know this is reaching you all well after Easter but I sincerely pray that the blessings of Easter be with each of you and your families.
God Bless

This post is out of sequence, but since we are so far behind on the updates I didn’t want to wait. It isn’t an update, but a simple reminder to try to make it to any BJ’s Pizzaria / brew pub for a meal or drink this coming Monday, May 4. Please remember to print out the flyer that is posted on the website - see our homepage or the events page! Thank you! Updates will eventually be forthcoming, and thanks for staying tuned!

I am back trying to catch up again, a never ending battle. So many things are coming up. On Monday, Bunk will be going to the BJ’s Restaurant in Brea for the fundraiser on May 4th. We are grateful to Rana Schirmer for coordinating the event. We hope all of you going out to eat download a flyer and take it with you to BJ’s for a some good eats.

Update 3-30-09 thru 4-05-09
Mondays are therapy days. Bunk continues to work on his breathing at St. Jude’s Outpatient Therapy, working on rhythm and closing off his nose when he is breathing. After St. Jude’s we hurry home for Stephanie his physical therapist to help us get him into his standing frame. Today, he had the standing frame positioned outside so that the sun could get at the back of his legs. Whenever the sun is out, he is outside and has gotten a good tan on the front of his legs and now he has found a way to try for some sun on the back of his legs.

His quote of the day is “I’m addicted to gum now over sunflower seeds because no one has to help me chew it.”
He’s watching the NIT. His teams, Notre Dame and Cal State San Diego didn’t do well. “My teams lost”.

On Wednesday, Bunk had a visit from Colleen Malmberg from Portland. She came for lunch and stayed the day, spending a great deal of time outside in the sun. I had to give Colleen a ball cap as she was getting sunburned on her scalp. She is a great visitor. Red and I were able to get out into the rose garden and plant some new roses. Larry Honikel joined us all and brought Bunk Communion..

Dr. Xi had Bunk off the vent up to 16 minutes this week. Bunk was able to verbalize 3 sentences out loud while off the vent. He practiced breathing through his nose and exhaling through his mouth (”like I used to do when I ran”) and used back and chest muscles while breathing. Now the trick is to repeat that with regularity.

He had Megan bring out all the clothes from his closet. They went through all of them Bunk deciding on which ones to keep and which ones to give away and then telling Megan how he wanted them organized in the closet. He knows exactly what he wants.

Bunk spent time this week looking up Master Degree in Art programs and talking about the possibility of doing a degree on line. He sent away for program literature. Stay tuned on this subject. He also learned how to use a Keystrokes program on the computer which=2 0allows him to type on the computer by verbally clicking on the mouse on letters on the keyboard. He has been able to send an email or two. To move the cursor is moved by a dot that is generally place on his forehead or glasses. Bunk has decided to put the dot on the tip of his nose “I can move the cursor across the entire screen with less range. You can see him regularly now, every afternoon with a dot on the end of his nose and calling out clicks and moving the cursor around with his head movements. It hasn’t been that long ago that it would take another person to help Bunk move around the computer. Now he can work for an hour or so unassisted surfing the net and trying to utilize his new found means of spelling out words.

With regular use, Bunk has just about completed all the resistance levels on his Power Lung. John Daly stopped by and has told Bunk is going to order him the Power Lung that is the next resistance level up. The power lung is a terrific aid because it always addresses building strength in muscles for breathing. Thank you, John.
Bunk still loves his sunflower seeds even though chewing gum has become more practical. Periodically we set up a plastic cup in his pocket and put a handful of sunflower seeds in his mouth and he gets busy working the seeds out of their shells and spitting them into the cup. A sight to behold! A real first in feeding Bunk was=2 0Red (who hates cheese) feeding Bunk cheezits. Bunk called out to me laughingly “Hey, Mom, Dad is feeding me Cheezits!” knowing it was a monumental sacrifice on his Dad’s part. I’m sure he washed his hands immediately following. God bless you, Red.

Saturday, was Red’s St. Anthony’s 50th High School Reunion dinner. We asked Megan to come on Saturday instead of Friday and Israel to come on Saturday instead of Thursday so Bunk would be in sound hands and we would be able to both attend. Red had a great reunion and so did I, being a St. Anthony’s graduate myself, although a few years younger. The reunion started off on Friday, with Red attending the golf day with Derek. They had a terrific time and spent many hours with old friends he hadn’t seen in many a year. Derek fit right in with all the old grads. We probably would never have made it if Sheila O’Rourke had not come out personally to the house to help Red with getting all the info and money in. Thank you, Sheila. A little hand holding is always a big help.

Sunday was a sunny and warm day. We were all outside, Bunk sunning himself, me reading the paper, and Red mowing the lawn. It was idyllic in a way. Bunk took all his afternoon medications by mouth over a period of time during the day. We are still working on his meds. Netflix was the entertainment of the evening. I was reading the descript ion on the cover of “College” and I said it sounded pretty hokey but Bunk responded that he had to see a movie that used the word “shenanagans” in the description. And so “College” it was.

Please pray for Bunk as we pray for you.
God Bless and thank you all.

Mom writes:
We’re back! I apologize for being so far in arrears on Bunk’s updates. Thank you for persisting with your visits to the website. I am just about up to date and then fall behind at least 2 weeks.

March 23-29, 2009
The week started out with some discoveries. First was finding cousin Stephanie’s chocolate chip cookies she had given him at the golf tournament. I had left them in the van and completely forgot about them. Bunk had been pining about not getting any and I was blank on where they were. What a pleasant surprise. Bunk ate them all. He knows that if he doesn’t, I will. Both our wastelines are growing.

For two plus years, since he has gotten home, Bunk has been trying to find where his box of watches were stored following his accident. We had looked countless times in the storage unit without luck. Red finally unearthed a box hidden under something and inside was the decorative box that held Bunk’s watches. He was thrilled to have these important possessions from a time before he was disabled. He now selects a favorite watch to wear each day. He has given one to his brother and one to his nephew. He loves watches and would always wear a different one every day when he was teaching. It’s good to reestablish daily patterns.

At St. Jude’s Outpatient Rehab he was tested for his Forced Vital Capacity. He is taken off the ventilator, takes a breath and blows as much air out as he can, a spirometer measures the amount of air he exhales. It is an important measure of his capacity to move air in and out of his lungs. When we got home we got on line to look for spirometers so we could have one at home to measure progress at home. He had not had a FVC done since Craig Hospital.

Rana Schirmer, a dear friend, who works for BJ’s Restaurants and is responsible for the wonderful pizza and pasta lunch each year at the golf tournament wants to have fund raiser at BJ’s Restaurants in Southern California. It would be one day from opening to closing where anyone who brings in a flyer of the Bunk Fundraiser will have 15% of the cost of their meal donated to Bunk. Stay tuned. This will force me to catch up on updates to keep you all informed and ready to download flyers. We are most grateful to Rana and BJ’s.

Bunk has been daily working out on his flexiciser as well as doing his shoulder weights, standing frame, and mat workouts. We decided to stop the flexiciser due to the lack of progress in the healing of his wound on his bottom. It was getting deeper and we determined the flexiciser was hindering its healing. All other activities continue to be a go. Dr. Xi takes Bunk off the vent when she is here. He has been off for up to 10 minutes at a time this week. He goes off the vent when he uses the power lung as well even as he is increasing the resistance on the power lung. He gets up in the standing frame at home and a workout on the mat at the Goodwill Fitness center at least once a week.

We heard from our friend Mark Willits who is a fellow quadriplegic on a ventilator. We met him at the Goodwill Fitness Center to support Bobby Rohan, a quadriplegic, who was doing a Triathlon Fundraiser “Fit for Life with Spinal Cord Injury” with the proceeds going to WYNGS, Ralph’s Riders, and the Goodwill Fitness Center. While at the gym Bunk didn’t miss the NCAA basketball games on the TV there. Bunk met several new people with disabilities such as his. He especially enjoyed meeting up with Mark again who joined us at home for dinner. Mark is a very accomplished young man. He was injured at about 16 years of age and has subsequently graduated from college and this past year graduated from UCLA Law School. He passed the BAR, is employed in a Law firm and got married this past year. He is still in his 20’s, quite amazing. He has been a good resource for Bunk.

Some good visits with friends this week, Mike Schnick, Bryan Wolf faithfully visiting every Thursday, and Dave Daly joining us for dinner (Our Lady of Guadalupe Taqueria tacos) and spent the night. It is always an evening of lots of talk for Bunk and Dave. Great therapy.
Brian Trujillo came over to consult with Red regarding finish work up in the Tipsy.

As for Red and I, we got out into the rose garden and planted some new roses to replace several that were failing. I even went out to tea with friends, Kathy Schwabl and Irma Anthony. I haven’t been out to tea for years. Irma is a long time tea buddy of mine and Kathy and I went through nursing together at Cal State Long Beach.

Tom Brand brought Holy Communion on Sunday. Bunk’s quote of the day was that his “Lenten penance was Sundays with Mom and Dad” who have care duty all day. The saving grace especially this week was all the NCAA basketball games, the Lakers, and a visit from Bill Seitz with his dog, Walter. He even got on line to check his email and google sites looking at cars. Busy weekends are a blessing for Bunk.

I will leave you with a request to say a little prayer that I get next week’s update out tomorrow.
God Bless.

Mom writes:
Update for the week of March 16 through March 22, 2009

I don’t know how successful I will be in relating the events of this week, especially the St. Patrick’s Day Golf Tournament for Bunk.
St. Patrick’s Day is a reminder of the tremendous effort and generosity of so many that have supported Bunk since the day he was injured. Red was reviewing for the first time a list of donations going back to 2006. Red stated how humbling it is to be on the receiving end of the generosity and support of so many family, friends, people we know, people we don’t know, people that have heard about Bunk and just want to help, people that are friends of people we know, friends of Bunk and friends of friends of Bunk and then some more friends of Bunk. We as a family have learned what giving truly means. The difference you have made is vast and a singular thank you is inadequate. We are forever in your debt and blessed each day to have you in our lives.

Monday, the day before the big event, was busy with lots of pre golf tournament activity. Dirk and Erika Larson came out from Kansas for the tournament. They stayed with us and chipped in to help with a myriad of tasks. Erica and the grandkids arrived late Sunday night. Erica was in charge of the goody bags for the golfers so everyone was put to work getting the goodies into the bags. It was a beautiful day. We were all outside getting things done. Charlie Butler and Matt Pullam stopped by. Both were in town from Colorado for St. Patrick’s Day Golf.

Dave Daly came after work and we were later rejoined by Charlie, Matt, and Matt’s wife for some good fun and story telling. Bunk got to bed at 1 AM. The house was full. Dirk slept out in the Tipsy, Erika had the front bedroom, Erica and the kids were upstairs, Dave Daly had the sofa and Charlie had the living room floor. Just like days of old. Bunk was loving every minute of it.

St. Patrick’s Day arrived. The Lord must be a wee bit Irish as we are blessed with such outstandingly beautiful weather each St. Patrick’s Day. God’s blessings on all of you in remembrance of this day.

It was a long morning of preparation getting Bunk in bulletproof form so the day would go flawlessly for him. He was wearing a green shirt that her had gone on line to Old Navy and purchased especially for the day.Everyone was taking care of business. We arrived at the Golf Course in time to greet the golfers.
The first thing we saw was an easy up type canopy all in green and white with Bunk’s Road to Recovery logo covering the top and www.bunkwurth.org written on the flaps. Wow! It was donated by Mike Ohirko of Impact Images who offered to make it and personalize it within 2 days of the event. See what I mean!

Bunk settled in under the pavilion where the registration was set up with volunteers manning the tables making sure they received their T shirts thank you to AllPromotion (Mike Schnick), cigars, thank you Buddy Butler, golf tees, thank you Derek and their goody bags, thank you Erica. Generous BJs Pizza ala Rana Schirmer supported by Bret Skehan a BJs Pizza colleague, was there ready to feed the masses and did so with some to spare. It was like the loaves and the fishes. “Beer Pong” one of the “Irish Fetes of Strength” was also set up in the pavilion for golfers as they passed from one hole to another. It was a bevy of activity and Bunk was able to visit with people coming and going during the day either golfing or just stopping by to visit. He never flagged, enjoying every minute of it. Megan his nurse was able to accompany us and that freed him of me and I was able to visit and help out however little in other areas.

Kevin Traut and his crew of volunteers were tireless in their efforts to make the day fun, first and foremost, as well as, a successful fundraiser for Bunk. So many worked so hard on the event, so many donated items for the raffle, and so many donated period. The words will fail me here to once again express how grateful we are.

The dinner was great fun. This year I got around to many of the tables and was able to talk to friends and family a little more than usual. My sisters and niece made desserts to be auctioned off. Doug Butler once again paid good money for my sister, Mary Catherine’s dessert. The raffle worked well thanks to Kim Mangini and all of you who sold raffle tickets as if your life depended on it. Center pieces were arranged by Leigh Spalding Wilksen and were for taking home. Leigh also coordinated the volunteers. Thank you, Leigh. Dan Maher was Master of Ceremonies and dear Father Sera gave a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day prayer to start the meal of corned beef and cabbage with an Irish flare. What a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Bunk’s favorite day. A day he has always considered a personal holiday whether his employer thought so or not. We thank you all for making it a grand holiday as well and joining Bunk in his celebration.

Kevin Traut shared with many of us a few of his favorite quotes of the day. I would like to share them again with all of you:
- “I didn’t even notice the pace of play, we were having such a good time. That was the fastest 5 1/2 hour round of golf I have ever played.”
- “I don’t care if we finish, just put us next to the Killeen boys.”
- “There was a bagpiper? What foursome was he in?” (I forgot to mention we were piped into dinner by a bagpiper to add to the spirit of the day)
- From the General Manager of Coyote Hills, “My employees are already asking if you are coming back next year. That is how much fun they have with your group.”
- Sondra the Bushmills Girl said, “I am all out of product, I can’t do any more good here but make sure I am invited to next year’s tournament.”
- Kevin’s last quote is from Bunk, smiling and responding to an outreached hand from a course vendor, “Buddy, one day I will shake that hand.”

And for all of you, an Irish Blessing from the Wurth family:
May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now
And bless you evermore.

And one from Bunk:
May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.

Bunk got home around 10 PM and to bed at 1 AM still talking about the day. Another houseful of sleep-overs but all had a pillow for their head and I think a blanket to keep them warm. The Tipsy has become a terrific overflow area.

Another beautiful day followed St. Patrick’s Day. We were all outside again. Erica is the master organizer of the family. I have no idea who she inherited it from but thank goodness for Erica getting all the Golf Tournament materials into labeled tubs. I have never worked a label machine in my life. Bunk napped in the afternoon.

Bunk kept to his daily routine but napped more than usual for the rest of the week. Erica found a sofa for Bunk on Craig’s list and wasted no time in picking it up and getting it up to the Tipsy. In the morning, I was changing Bunk’s tracheostomy tube and Erica was with us in the bedroom and while I had his trach out (he is off the ventilator when I change his trach tube) he started talking to Erica. I was so surprised to hear him very softly say a brief sentence to his sister. He certainly is more confident when he is off the vent and evidently when his trach tube is out as well.

The NCAA Tournament started and he was watching the games from the get go. Erica’s Rosary girl friends came by to visit with their children, great fun for Evelyn and Will. Kim Mangini stopped to visit Bunk.

On Saturday, all the grandchildren were here and I took them all out to Watson’s Drug Store down in the Circle of Orange for lunch while Derek and Bunk watched NCAA Basketball and measured for TV’s up in the Tipsy. Erica was desperately trying to get everything organized before she left for San Francisco. God love her.

On Sunday rain closed out a week of glorious sunshine. By today Bunk had caught up on his sleep although he did nap in the AM. He and Erica talked decorating out in the Tipsy. Bunk signed his name on some Golf Tournament photos by using a pen in his mouth. When his Uncle Phil called later to ask him about the signature, he laughingly said his signature was more legible when he wrote it by mouth than when he signed by hand because he tries to form each letter more clearly and that before he didn’t care that much.

Erica packed up the kids and headed back home to San Francisco about 2 PM. She had been a great help, cook, organizer, furniture procurer, and cleaner during the week. She had a long drive ahead of her. She must have been exhausted but got home safely.

God bless everyone who contributed to this wonderful week for Bunk. He is getting stronger by the week. Your impact is felt through prayer, support and such fundraising events. Bunk is the direct beneficiary of such efforts and I pray that the benefits he receives are multiplied and returned to you through God’s grace. God Bless.