General Update #84

Dusty called Joyce at 3:35 p.m.
She reported that she had upper body physical therapy earlier in the day (but then later on in the conversation reported that she had not had any therapy today). She was not feeling too fatigued from the PT today. She is suspecting that they will arrive to take her for a walk around the facility before dinner this evening.

Lunch today was a piece of chicken, potato salad, and a slice of watermelon which was enjoyed. She thought that it might have been "picnic" themed for the holiday. 

Joyce says that the facility has been providing a copy of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News for her to read, as it seems to do for all residents. She built up a small collection of newspapers through the week, bundled them, and packed them into her trashcan to make the orderlies' pass through her room easier. She claims to have run out of reading material, at which Dusty reminded her that she has her Redwall book to read. Joyce then stated that she cannot reach it where it currently is laying in the room. Dusty reminded Joyce she can use the call button to summon the nurse to help her if she cannot rise to get it herself from where the PT team has moved it to. Joyce also lamented that her fingernails are too long and bothering her. Dusty reminded Joyce that she can ask the nursing staff for help with trimming her fingernails. Joyce agreed and that she just needs to remember to ask them for aid when they come through. 

Joyce asked Dusty if he knew when she would be able to go home. Dusty stated that July 15 is still the target date according to the Aspen Park team. Joyce commented that it was going to be a while away still. Dusty concurred but reminded her that she is now in July so time should go faster now. Joyce asked if Dusty knew where she was and Dusty confirmed that she was in the Aspen Park facility. Joyce clarified that she knew that but wanted to know where in Moscow the facility was located. Dusty restated the facility's location which Joyce appreciated. Joyce asked which ordinal direction her room faced and was pleased that she now knows she is facing north. She is hoping that even with the limited view out of her room window, due to the obstructive Juniper bushes, she will see the fireworks tomorrow night from Pullman (or the illegal ones that other folks will inevitably ignite tonight and tomorrow). 

Joyce asked why she had to be placed in Aspen Park instead of just being able to do the physical therapy from the farmhouse. Dusty explained that she was placed at Aspen Park because she needed the additional skilled nursing care and that it wasn't just for physical therapy. Joyce stated that she would be glad to be done with physical therapy work once she returned to the farm. Dusty reminded Joyce that she would have physical therapy work she would have to continue doing at the farm, both tasks that she would have to perform on her own and twice a week meetings with physical therapists who would arrive to work with her for a few weeks after July 15, and then she'd need to so out patient PT as well. Joyce thought that would be acceptable. 

Joyce reminded Dusty of the items she wanted him to take care of out at the farm and Dusty assured her he had it on his radar to do. 

Joyce wanted to know what everyone was doing to celebrate Independence Day and Dusty admitted that he had not collected any news on what the family members were up to for the holiday. Joyce asked if Dusty knew what he was doing for himself and Jess and he admitted that he had no plans.

Joyce stated that she enjoyed the visit in the Aspen Park patio that she had with Jess and Dusty on Wednesday and would look forward to seeing them again when they could visit. Dusty confirmed that they are looking to book another meeting with Joyce for next week as long as the surge in COVID-19 cases in Latah County doesn't change the facility's visiting policies. Joyce stated that it is a strange world to be in where masks and social distancing were needed just to visit old people. 

Joyce referred to the large Juniper bushes outside her window as "weeds." Dusty asked why she labeled them as such and Joyce stated that if they were out in the fields at the farm, they'd be weeds and her oldest son would "make them go away." She laughed at that. 

Her pain levels are normal and she ended the phone call with plans to get another nap in before dinner. 

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