General Update #51

8:08 a.m. - LaRae arrived to administer insulin, multivitamin, and blood pressure medicine to Joyce. LaRae replaced the lidocaine patch on Joyce's back. Joyce confirmed that the patches were helping her with her pain management. 

LaRae asked if Joyce wanted her dentures in for eating breakfast. LaRae commented to Dusty that they almost threw out Joyce's dentures while clearing her table (as Joyce had wrapped them in a napkin and placed them among discarded facial tissues) but LaRae was thorough and caught them before they disappeared into the garbage. Dusty thanked LaRae and apologized as he had intended to take them from Joyce before he departed last night but forgot to do so. LaRae had obtained a denture tub for Joyce to store them in going forward.

LaRae asked Joyce how she was feeling after sleeping in the recliner all night. Joyce stated that she thought she was feeling good, really, and sleeping in the recliner was better than being in the bed. LaRae confirmed that she often hears people who have back injuries or sore backs like to sleep sitting in a recliner. LaRae let Joyce know if she is uncomfortable to summon them back and they can help adjust her. Joyce returned to eating her breakfast after LaRae's departure.

Joyce called it quits on her breakfast around 8:45 a.m. Cottage cheese, prune juice, 1.25 pancakes consumed. She thinks that is enough. Still working on her tea and started napping off and on in her recliner.

9:03 a.m. - Joyce summoned Sylina (nurse's aide) for travel to bathroom.

9:08 a.m. - Dana followed up with Dusty, confirmed they are moving forward with Aspen Park transfer. Timeline is being solidified and she will follow up with Joyce and Dusty once coordination with Jennifer at Aspen Park is completed. Dana confirmed with Dusty that Aspen Park has had a change of ownership, administration, has been upgraded, and is much different that it used to be. 

9:10 a.m. - Dr. Standley is the floor doctor for the day and he stopped by to check on Joyce but she was in the bathroom so he will return later to check on her. He apologized about the Good Samaritan complications that appeared to be encountered. He and Dusty agreed that Good Samaritan was just doing what was right by them. 

9:14 a.m. - Joyce returned to her recliner by Sylina after a successful bowel movement. Sylina made Joyce comfortable.

9:18 a.m. - Dr. Standley returned. Asked Joyce if she had any chest pain or shortness of breath. Joyce indicated slight constant pain (heavy) across her chest. Asked if Joyce was using at oxygen at home. Joyce confirmed she was, only using it while sleeping and resting in her chair during the day. Dusty clarified that she is not always consistent about using it while resting in her chair. Dr. Standley asked if Joyce had sleep apnea. Joyce didn't think so. Dr. Standley asked if she snores or awakes herself with a snort or something like that. Dr. Standley stated that a sleep study as an outpatient might want to be done on Joyce to rule out apnea. A CPAP machine might be useful for Joyce if it is determined she has apnea given her struggles with oxygen levels. Low oxygen levels cause cognition function issues. Dr. Standley, in observing Joyce sleep in her chair off and on, noticed that Joyce drops her head forward while napping and might be cutting off her breathing in doing so. Joyce's primary care provider (Dr. Collins) should be able to arrange that sleep study if it is wanted to be pursued. 

Joyce asked where she will be going after Dr. Standley told Joyce she is well enough for transfer today. Dr. Standley confirmed the plan is to send Joyce to Aspen Park so she can get the therapy, get stronger, and then go back home. Dr. Standley checked Joyce's breathing and heartbeat using a stethoscope. Tested her legs, found good strength in resistance checks, jokes that Joyce could be a soccer player. Dr. Standley wished Joyce well and then departed.

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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