General Update #83

Dusty attempted to call Joyce around 10:30 a.m. but a nurse was in the room working with Joyce and so the call was aborted. 

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Dusty received an email from Libby Sheffler, social service assistant at Aspen Park, at 10:35 a.m. with an update on the current discharge plan for Joyce. Libby confirmed that Joyce was still on target to be discharged from Aspen Park on July 15. It was reiterated that is subject to Joyce's primary care physician, Dr. Collins, approval for discharge. Libby confirmed that she will keep Dusty updated on Joyce's progress. Joyce is working well with the therapy but is still needing some help with daily tasks such as toileting, dressing and showering. The hope is that the Aspen Park team can get her stronger and back home in the next two weeks. Libby welcomes any questions, comments or concerns from Joyce's family.

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Dusty called Joyce at 11 a.m. and made a successful connection. She just had completed cognitive therapy. Joyce said to Dusty that she is aware it is mental therapy, but she joked that the nurses don't know that she knows it is mental therapy. She hasn't been taken for a walk around the facility today at this point so she imagines it will be on the agenda for this afternoon.

Joyce enjoyed a small pancake with maple syrup, eggs, sausage, coffee, and apple juice for breakfast.
She said that she gets treated like a queen at Aspen Park. The coffee was reportedly enjoyable. 

Joyce reported that her pain levels were not too bad today. She can tell there is pain in her back but it isn't excruciating.

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Dusty called Aspen Park main desk around 11:10 a.m. to check with Joyce's nurse about the tests which were ordered by Dr. Collins last week. The staff member with that information was unavailable at the time of the phone call and will return Dusty's call when time permits.

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Maggie, Joyce's nurse, called Dusty back at 11:50 a.m. to report on Joyce's test results and overall status. Joyce's blood glucose levels have remained high, liver enzymes were low (given her age this is not odd), magnesium levels are fine. Dr. Collins reviewed tests and was fine with them. This morning's blood glucose level was at 187. When Dusty asked about the increase of the metformin ordered by Dr. Collins last week Maggie confirmed that Joyce's dosage had been doubled but that it can take up to a week to show changes in blood glucose readings collected. 

Joyce was confirmed to be doing well this morning. Notes from therapists are that she fatigues quickly, takes extra time to complete tasks but proceeds quickly once started. Cognitive therapy is occurring daily and proceeding well. Dressing activities are going well, with therapists laying out clothing for Joyce from her inventory on hand and Joyce dresses herself. Joyce has been traveling ~150 feet before tiring during her walks down the facility hallways with the therapists. Current plan for PT is working on increasing Joyce's overall stamina.

Joyce's pain levels are reported to be low and manageable. 

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