General Update #25

7:09 p.m. - Lucy, the overnight nursing assistant arrived to reset Joyce's room information board (Anna as nurse, Lucy as nurse's assistant, and Karen as charge nurse). Took out Joyce's dinner tray and collected oxygen level information (96), temperature (98.2) and blood pressure (142/80 - good high, but high). Lucy asked if Joyce was ready to go to bed and Joyce confirmed that she was after being woken up from her seated position in her recliner for the vitals recordings.

7:17 p.m. - Joyce helped into bathroom by Lucy. Anna arrived at 7:19 p.m. to assist and place lidocaine patch onto Joyce's back over bruised area. Lucy and Anna marveled at the bruises on Joyce's body and encouraged her to poop. Anna informed Joyce that she will try to give her more milk of magnesia, prune juice, and a stool softener to trigger a bowel movement. Pain medicine will be brought to Joyce again (Tramadol) by Anna to help take edge off of current pain levels. Anna informed Lucy that the big goal is for Joyce to have a bowel movement this evening if possible. 

7:26 p.m. - Joyce had a slight bowel movement. 

7:28 p.m. - Lucy checked on Joyce to ensure she hasn't fallen asleep on the toilet. Joyce confirmed she needed to remain for a bit longer on the toilet as she felt like she might need more time. 

7:35 p.m. - Joyce had fallen asleep on the toilet again at some point. Lucy checked on Joyce after giving her time and observing her and determining that she was indeed asleep. Lucy woke Joyce and asked if she would like to go to bed now. Joyce stated that she needed to remain on the toilet as she "felt like things were happening." Lucy stepped back and gave Joyce privacy, kept checking on her from around the corner to make sure Joyce was still awake and refilled Joyce's water bottle

7:40 p.m. - Joyce capitulated to being moved back to bed by Lucy. When Joyce was moved by Lucy to stand, some more bowel activity occurred. Joyce asked to be left for a while. Lucy consented but reminded Joyce not to fall asleep. Lucy returned to standing near the bathroom door and checking on Joyce from around the corner.

7:46 p.m. - Lucy started to get Joyce cleaned up and moved her to bed by 7:50 p.m. Joyce informed Lucy about her spinal fusion and Lucy made adjustments to bed to make Joyce comfortable. Lucy provided additional blankets for Joyce and tucked her in for sleeping.

Dusty departing Gritman for farmhouse to prepare an initial clothing kit for Joyce for use at Good Samaritan tomorrow. 

Message(s) from Joyce:
"I love you all, goodnight."

Current location:
Gritman Medical Center, Room 226.

Current pain level:
Unknown.

Visiting information:
No change from previous post.
Confirmed with nurse's station shift leader at 9:30 a.m. - currently only 1 visitor per day for Joyce, no exceptions. Once current visitor departs Joyce's room, no further visits for the rest of the day. No swapping out visitors (example, Dusty cannot remain on hospital grounds while Craig goes to sit with Joyce for an hour and then Dusty returns to room).

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