General Update #77

Dusty and Jess called Joyce this evening around 7:50 p.m. She was having her blood sugar levels checked, with a reading of 256 ("too high"). The nurse excused herself while the phone call continued and returned with insulin. Joyce was thankful that the needles for blood testing and insulin injections were so small. Tramadol was administered to Joyce for pain control. 

Joyce reported her pain level was around a 2 out of 10 at the time of the phone call.

Joyce claimed that she did not have physical therapy today, believing that the staff might've been too busy to get her on the schedule today. She said that tomorrow she will begin a new regimen with a therapist assigned to her to work on some specific and new exercises.

Joyce has continued to sleep in her recliner for comfort but is considering attempting to try sleeping in the bed in the coming days. She stated she will discuss that option with the day nurses as they are more knowledgeable about what she should and should not be doing.

Joyce praised the nursing staff, "I got a bunch of good ones." She has been quite happy with the care she has been receiving. Joyce asked why Aspen Park was selected for her care and Jess provided a brief summary of the circumstances of her transfer from Gritman to Aspen Park due to Good Samaritan passing on hosting her for the skilled nursing care.

Jess confirmed with Joyce that the family and friends are being kept updated on Joyce's condition and information on how to contact/visit Joyce at Aspen Park have been provided. 

Joyce asked if it was known when she would get to go home. Jess re-confirmed with Joyce that July 15 is the expected discharge date, as long as Joyce continues performing well in her PT sessions and that her primary care physician (Dr. Debra Collins) confirms she is good to return home. Jess reviewed the plan for appointments with Dr. Collins that will be conducted via teleconference with an Aspen Park nurse and Joyce for later this week. Dusty confirmed that Joyce would also be seeing Dr. Keizur this week (tomorrow) to remove the temporary stint from Joyce's kidney stone removal procedure.  

Dinner this evening was potato salad, turkey with gravy, green beans, and a brownie for dessert. Jess shared that it was a coincidence that Joyce had brownies for dessert this evening as Dusty had made brownies for Jess as an after-work surprise.

The blinds of Joyce's room were closed earlier in the day by the nursing staff to aid in keeping her cooler. She got to watch the antics of the blackbird outside on the opposite building's roof line before that occurred. 

"It sure is nice that people learned how to make ice," Joyce said, when discussing how she has been keeping cool in her room. The nursing staff are keeping Joyce well supplied with water. 

Joyce stated that she has been napping during the day, which she thinks is good for both healing her body and for time traveling (so she can return to the farm faster). "Pretty soon they'll be saying 'Hey Joyce, you're going home today.'" 

Joyce had a pretty good day, she said.

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