General Update #44

8:17 a.m. - Stocker returned to check Joyce's blood sugar and oxygen levels. Blood sugar at 166. Oxygen levels at 94% with a pulse of 83. Visited with Joyce about her sourdough as he had looked up how to get a starter going for himself and his wife. 

8:19 a.m. - Jackie arrived to administer blood pressure medicine and pain reliever. Jackie also brought in a new lidocaine patch to apply to Joyce's back but Joyce stated she didn't want to have it at this time. Jackie left the lidocaine patch in the room to be applied later on when Joyce felt like sitting up to permit its application.

8:30 a.m. - Breakfast was delivered.

8:45 a.m. - Jackie arrived to administer insulin to Joyce. Joyce asked if 166 was bad and Jackie stated that it was better than being in the 200s as Joyce was in yesterday. Jackie asked about the stint left temporarily in Joyce from the procedure and if it was causing Joyce any discomfort or pain. Joyce indicated negative. Jackie let Joyce know that the nurses appreciate Joyce and consider themselves lucky when they discover they have Joyce as a patient at the start of their shift. Jackie brought Joyce her multivitamin to take. 

9:36 a.m. - Stocker arrived to check on Joyce and clear her breakfast tray. Joyce had finished half of her cream of wheat, a whole banana, and her 4 oz. carton of prune juice. Stocker asked if Joyce needed to use the bathroom and she stated not at this time. Stocker asked Joyce if she wanted to shower before going to Good Samaritan today. Joyce asked if she was going to Good Samaritan as she stated she did not recall that was the plan. Stocker confirmed that last he heard this morning it was still the plan. Stocker stated that Good Samaritan will assist Joyce in having a shower later today after her arrival there if she did not want to shower at Gritman.

10 a.m. - Stocker checked in on Joyce to see if she needed to make a trip to the bathroom. Joyce indicated she would give it a try. Joyce expelled some gas while making her way into the bathroom which was a good sign. 

10:10 a.m. - Nurse's aide, Dean, arrived when summoned to assist Joyce in standing up and returning to her recliner. Urine output only. 

10:30 a.m. - Dr. Standley (Dr. Brown's replacement for the day) arrived to visit with Joyce. He reviewed the plan for transfer to Good Samaritan. He stated that the Gritman staff will make sure pain medications are prescribed for Joyce's time at Good Samaritan and they will know what she is to be administered. Dr. Standley confirmed that the stint is still in place from the kidney stone removal and that a visit to Dr. Keizur will need to occur for that to be removed. That appointment should have already been scheduled and Good Samaritan will handle getting Joyce there and back. As part of Joyce's discharge from Gritman and transfer to Good Samaritan that appointment will be verified as scheduled by the Gritman team. Dr. Standly stated that the plan should be for Good Samaritan and Joyce's case worker coordinate an appointment schedule for seeing Dr. Dickinson in Lewiston as well to review the potential spinal cancer and damage to the bone and develop any plans to treat if needed. Dr. Standley recommends that the family schedule a follow up appointment with Joyce's primary care provider (Dr. Deborah Collins) within 1-2 weeks after Joyce's discharge from the Good Samaritan. Joyce's case worker should be in later to go over the transfer and long range plans, schedules/appointments again with Joyce and Dusty.

Dr. Standley was not informed about Joyce's vision issues from Dr. Brown. Dr Standley asked Joyce when the last time she had her eyes checked was and she stated 3-4 years ago. Dr. Standley recommended that Joyce follow up with her optometrist or ophthalmologist once she is discharged from Good Samaritan to have her vision checked.

Dr. Standley reviewed that Dr. Keizur had Joyce on antibiotics for the procedure to prevent bladder infection and today is last day for antibiotic treatment. The urine culture still showing as negative (taken June 2) and is still showing no growth according to Dr. Brown checking on it last night and Dr. Standley reviewing information from this morning.  

Joyce's COVID-19 test came back negative. Dr. Standley reminded Joyce that Good Samaritan requires that Joyce take a second COVID-19 test before Joyce leaves Gritman as part of their policies. This second test won't stop Joyce from transferring over to Good Samaritan today. 

Dr. Standley listened to Joyce's breathing using a stethoscope and checked her leg functionality from her seated position on the recliner. 

Dr. Standley stated that if any questions arise to give them to the nursing staff prior to Joyce departing Gritman and he will be glad to follow up.

Message(s) from Joyce:
None.

Current location:
Gritman Medical Center, Room 202.

Current pain level:
Unknown.

Visiting information:
No change from previous post:
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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