Gary Bonjour 1951 – 2008

Here is a nice break from medical stuff… a look at the number of page views this website has received over the past twelve months. The numbers do not indicate number of visitors, but show how many pages on the website were viewed each month. It’s interesting to see how the numbers correspond to the events that have taken place. Thank you to all of you who regularly stop by to see how Dad is doing!     -Alicia

(Click the thumbnail below to view the graph.)

Thanks for all the comments on helping Gary’s eating attitude.  He ate moderately better this morning, although he had to quit while there was food on his tray because of stomach pain.  Gary says the pain stopped him from eating more than the bad taste of food today.  The doctors are preparing Gary for release.  He must kick his current fever (100.9F) to be released on Monday.  If the fever persists, the release day will be later.  “On the job” therapy has signed off since Gary does not have a physically demanding job.  “Physical” therapy has assigned exercises and will be working with Gary more before release.  He walked five hundred feet yesterday, but needed a two hour nap upon returning to his room.  Swallowing correctly will probably take time.  I speculate the docs are going to trust Gary to eat soft foods after his release until those muscles come back.  This is the last post by me until Monday.  I am off to Iowa.  Patty (in Savanna today) will be back with Gary tomorrow.     -Randy 

The much touted, and anticipated, swallow test…(trumpets playing)…Gary half passed!  He performed better than the last time he chewed barium cookies while being x-rayed; but does not have full control over the little flap which sends air to the lungs, and food to the stomach.  Charcoal grilled, decaying bovine is not on his new menu, but at least he is upgraded from pureed peaches.  A hard boiled egg is the most normal food on his tray this evening.  Gary says, “It does not taste good.”  I’m trying to convince him it is not about taste:  it is about nutrition.  He looks at me and rolls his eyes.  So if anyone out there has some advice, kindly send it to my email. 

Gary’s low grade fever persists and the docs are trying another antibiotic.  Gary says he would feel good if the stomach ache would go away.  A new medicine for stomach aches is ordered.  Kidney functions has improved from three days ago, and Dr. Mehta is advocating dialysis as needed rather than three days a week.  The kidney doctors will make the final decision.  Getting enough nutrition and water (by mouth) is an on going issue.  He dozed off with breakfast about one third eaten.  It will be waiting for him when he wakes.  Overall, Dr. Mehta is pleased with Gary’s numbers in regard to his Multiple Myeloma treatment.

Sleepy is Gary’s current condition.  He was asleep when I left at 6:30 last night; he was asleep when I arrived at 7:00 this morning.  He did wake for an hour to talk a while and order breakfast.  (I’ll spare you the description of his pureed food!)  But his destiny was to fall asleep, again; so breakfast is sitting on his tray.  He ran a fever last night, 101.1F.  It seems to be a trend:  up and down with his temperature.  The docs ordered a new antibiotic.  Gary reports he sat in the chair after I returned to the motel last night, and made trips to the bathroom aided by a nurse.  Sitting in chairs and walking to the bathroom are progress.  A long walk is in store today.