General Update #119

Joyce called Dusty's cell phone ~12:06 p.m. Call was missed due to Dusty's cellphone having a malfunction and not remaining powered on. Joyce left a message, stating that Dustin needed to come get her.

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Dusty and Jess called Joyce to check in ~8:20 p.m. Initially they were unable to contact Joyce via her room phone. They then called Andrea's line for an update. Andrea was with Joyce and got her back into her room to speak on the phone. Jess and Dusty called Joyce back on her room phone.

Joyce reported that her day was somewhat busy as there were about 6 kids that were playing around her room at Aspen Park. She said that she would be surprised if she didn't find one of the kids hiding under her bed in the morning. Joyce thought that we needed to feel sorry for the kids because they are running around the facility unattended and the parents aren't taking care of them. 

Joyce states that the kids don't make a fuss about anything, they just don't want to be put out the door. She is able to watch television in peace. Joyce made a non-sequitur transition comment about the government.

Jess attempted to redirect Joyce's thinking by reviewing the CT scan appointment for Tuesday with Joyce. 

Joyce stated that it would be nice if she had some nice naps. Jess concurred that more sleep and use of oxygen lines would be good for Joyce. Dusty asked if Joyce was wearing her oxygen lines. Joyce stated that she takes it off when she is on the phone. Dusty and Jess recommended that the oxygen lines should be put back into place. 

Jess told Joyce about Dusty's cell phone malfunctions and reassured her that they would provide Aspen Park with Jess's cell phone number and Dusty's work phone number to use while they attempt to get Dusty's cell phone repaired/replaced. 

Jess asked about Joyce's dinner. Joyce joked "let's see if I even had dinner!" Joyce said that she "had leftovers from all the people who thought they ought to bombard us with their beautiful faces." She reported they had sandwiches with tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, and whole wheat. Joyce went on to comment on how good ripe tomatoes are on sandwiches, and that the tomatoes she had when she was growing up on the Rathdrum prairie were quite good as they would get very ripe there. Jess expressed her dislike of tomatoes and suggested that when Joyce gets out of the Aspen Park facility they add B.L.T. sandwiches to their celebratory food list - Joyce can eat the tomatoes from Jess' sandwich and Jess can have Joyce's bacon. Joyce thought that was a fair trade and would be fun.

Joyce commented that "they" looked at her feet this week. Toenails were not clipped but they inspected everything else. Dusty will ask the Aspen Park team about clipping Joyce's toenails, as Joyce's appointment to have them clipped is long overdue. Jess suggested that the Aspen Park staff were checking Joyce's feet due to her diabetes. Joyce reminded Jess that out at the farmhouse there is a calendar that she keeps about her feet care schedule. Jess confirmed and reminded Joyce about the last appointments being missed due to Joyce first being sick/not feeling well and then missing the next one due to her fall down the stairs. Jess reviewed all the areas the CT scan would cover with Joyce. Joyce stated that she has some days where she thinks her back is better than it has ever been. She thinks that she rested enough this time around that the back healed better than when she had the spinal fusion. Jess explained that this CT scan will check for potential spinal cancer damage to the bones. Joyce said that makes sense. 

Jess reviewed next stage appointment for Joyce, post CT scan, the telehealth call with the cancer center which will have Connie, Carol and Dusty in attendance via Maggie calling them in on a separate line. 

Joyce stated that she is going to have a busy week this week. Jess reviewed Joyce's therapy work. Joyce stated that she most likely will use the stationary bike this week. Joyce said the other day the leg wouldn't work, but that stopped as the day went on. Joyce rambled about her leg hurting and not thinking that the Aspen Park staff didn't give her any pain medication. Jess reminded Joyce that she can use the call light to request the nurse to bring pain medicine, or that Joyce can ask the nurse when she comes into the room to ask for pain medicine. Joyce stated that maybe she had been given pain medicine and just forgotten. Jess told Joyce that they forget that they forget if they took their meds from time to time as well, so that happens.

Joyce said that she turned 83 this past birthday and wondered if she should "cut back" in relation to her workload "in town" and concerns about how to get to town and do her work there along with all the work she already has to do. Jess reminded Joyce she retired and has been referring people to go to Trish. Joyce said that her and Jess need to sit down and "put intelligence in my brain." Jess told Joyce not to worry about needing to get into town to H&R Block to do tax work as she is retired and that the tax work that Joyce used to do is not waiting for her as she ceased that as well. 

Joyce stated that she should "take it slow and do a few fun things." Agreement was had, with gardening and crafting promoted as segues onto happier dialogue. Jess discussed moving Joyce's sewing machine out to the kitchen area and Joyce liked that idea as there would be more light. Joyce reported that she had received a lot of compliments on her homemade skirts from nurses, people that would see her in a waiting room - "it made my heart sing" Joyce reported. Joyce enjoyed the praise for the homemade garments she received. Joyce said that her therapists even comment to each other about her homemade skirts.

While wishing Joyce a goodnight, Joyce randomly asked "was it hard to get out of my bed?" 

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Dusty and Jess attempted to call Andrea at 8:53 p.m., following their call with Joyce, to check in and see if any updates were available but were not able to reach her.

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Dusty and Jess called Aspen Park nurses' station phone ~9:03 p.m.

Andrea had just returned from Joyce's room after getting her ready for sleeping. Andrea reported that Joyce said that there was an extra bed and blanket for her to use upstairs. Dusty explained that Joyce thinks she is at the farmhouse.

Andrea reported that Joyce has been much calmer since this morning. Joyce hasn't been distressed but has been taking her oxygen line off frequently throughout the day. Joyce also was reported to get up and go out into the hallway to walk around. Andrea said that it was easy to reorient and redirect Joyce, but that Joyce was still suffering from some confusion.

Andrea called the Moscow Medical on-call physician (covering for Dr. Collins over the weekend hours), speaking with Dr. Raymond Paz. Dr. Paz ordered that a blood draw and urine sample collection be done on Joyce by the Aspen Park team. The blood draw will check Joyce's electrolytes and cardio function, and the urine sample will check for a UTI. 

Andrea called Gritman an hour ago to request they fax the results of the tests over to Aspen Park but Gritman hasn't provided them at this time. Andrea was just going to follow up with Gritman and see what the delay was when Dusty called the nurse's station. 

Jessica provided Andrea with her cellphone number and Dusty's work number, owing to Dusty's cell phone being disabled. Andrea added both to Joyce's file. 

Andrea stated that the Aspen Park team will call tomorrow after Dr. Collins looks at the results of the blood draw and the urine test collected from Joyce today.

Andrea stated that Joyce appears good for a week after antibiotics and then the hallucinations start up again - last time there was no UTI found but there was a positive effect from the antibiotic treatment. Andrea is hopeful the CT scan will reveal something to indicate what is affecting Joyce.

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