General Update #43

Joyce was still sleeping upon Dusty's return to Gritman ~7:30 a.m. Joyce woke as Dusty settled and reported that she had a "small" bowel movement sometime during the overnight shift. 



IPC device appears to have been used overnight. Nurse Jackie arrived around 7:40 a.m. to check Joyce's pain levels and Joyce reported that she had some pain, mainly when moving about, but if she holds still then the pain levels in her back decrease. A lidocaine patch was applied to Joyce at some point after Dusty's departure the previous night and before his return this morning. Jackie stated she would get Joyce some pain medication and her morning pills. With the small bowel movement and hearing "good" noises from Joyce's stomach (using a stethoscope) the Gritman staff think that it was sufficient to warrant Joyce being approved for transfer to Good Samaritan later today. Dr. Brown has yet to arrive but Jackie confirmed that Dr. Brown has been informed about Joyce's vision issues and will most likely discuss once she arrives. Joyce reported that she dreamed about funny/odd things, but did not have a bad night. She assumed the odd dreams were due to the medications she had been given.

7:58 a.m. - Joyce made a trip to the bathroom with assistance of nurse's aide, Stocker. Stocker reported that the urine that was passed is appearing much better in coloration than yesterday. Stocker determined that breakfast had not yet been ordered for Joyce and departed to find room service hostess.

8:02 a.m. - Room service arrived to take Joyce's breakfast order. Joyce was much more alert and quick to talk with the hostess. Joyce requested cream of wheat, a banana, hot tea with sugar free sweetener, and prune juice. 

Message(s) from Joyce:
"Good morning."
"I'm ready to go home." 

Current location:
Gritman Medical Center, Room 202.

Current pain level:
6 out of 10 at 8 a.m.

Visiting information:
Confirmed at check in with nurse's station this morning upon arrival:
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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