Gary Bonjour 1951 – 2008

It has been one week since Gary has been home.  I must confess that I was worrying the whole time.  Gary has made it through the week with no trips to the hospital, not even a call to the doctor for advice.  Gary is stronger today than he has been in weeks.  Gary can walk from his bed to the recliner in the living room with help.  He seems more alert.  On Sunday evening, he even commented that supper smelled good!  He sat in his wheel chair with the rest of the family at the table.  One of these times he may even take a bite.  I have had great support from the visiting nurses, therapists, home medical supply company, our children, and Gary’s parents. 

Mom asked me to make a post since her dial-up connection is unreliable, especially when incoming calls try to connect.  We will probably update only a few times a week now.

Everything is going well.  Dad is getting regular checkups and tests from a home nurse, and sessions with a physical therapist (exercise and muscle development) and occupational therapist (practicing activities of daily living).  He is doing exercises on his own without prompting and sleeping soundly without any medical staff waking him up during the night.

Tony and I will be visiting and helping this weekend.  On Saturday, Zach is graduating from Morrison Institute of Technology with a degree in Systems and Networking Administration.  If anyone needs to hire a techie, he is your guy!

-Alicia

Today was a wonderful day, very busy, but wonderful.  I had to go to the pharmacy to get all the new medications Gary needs.  He is on various vitamins, the usual ‘anti’ stuff-fungal, shingles, and biotic, and stomach meds, etc.  I have a total of 24 doses of stuff that has to be given at various times of the day.  I have my chart made up so I do not get mixed up.  We had a hospital bed delivered today, Gary is resting comfortably now.  Earlier in the day he refused to use the hospital bed.  The high point of the day was Gary being able to sit on the front porch for awhile.  I took a picture of him, his Dad, and the dog.  I hope to get it posted this weekend.  (I am technology challenged, it will take me awhile to figure out how to get it off the camera.)  Tomorrow the occupational therapist shows up to evalute Gary.  The nurse stops by for a check up,too.  It will be another busy day.  I’m busy trying to cram away stuff to make room for medical stuff. 

Oh happy day!  The doctor just said that Gary could go home today.  His blood counts have trended in the right direction.  It will be several hours before all the details are worked out.  Gary should be home by early evening.  Gary won’t be ready for visitors right away.  He will probably need a few days getting used to being home.  I’ll let you know when he is ready for company.

Today is a day for sleeping.  Gary seems to have a couple of good days and then a day where all he does is sleep.  He did manage two sets of bed exercises and sat in the chair twice, so he keeping up with his strength.  Each day Gary needs less assistance to the sitting position and the standing position.  Walking is still difficult.  No reports to give on his blood counts because no test were taken on Sunday or today.  We had a different pulmonary doctor today.  He was not happy when I told him rehab was not an option.  The pyschologist was listening in on the conversation.  Can you imagine…she gave me a thumbs up for being assertive, me assertive!  Gary is supposed to come up with a plan of things he can do when he gets home.  Fishing and gardening will be way to strenuos at this time.  Maybe someone will have an idea.  He is not much for needle point and crochet.