General Update #123

Carol, Connie, and Dusty joined Joyce's telehealth appointment today (8/27/2020) with Michelle at the St. Joseph Regional Cancer and Blood Center ~2:35 p.m. 

CT scans which covered the abdomen, pelvis, chest and neck of Joyce from 8/25 were reviewed as well as the lab tests collected from Joyce on 8/23. No signs of cancer (residual or recurrent) detected. No indicators of any return from previously treated kidney cancer (following the 2 cryoablation treatments done by Dr. Ho) or the colon cancer (chemotherapy treated in 2016). Incidental findings included:

  • Cysts along Joyce's adrenal glands (stable, non-concern)
  • Cerebral spine compression (chronic, non-concern)
  • Atelectasis (some alveoli not filling with air) in the right lung due to lack of deep breathing
  • Small 1 cm growth in the thyroid gland which does not look suspicious and is non-concern for cancer (but should be followed up on by Dr. Collins)
  • Brain has white matter changes (age related)
  • Cancer marker tests are normal
  • White Blood Count levels are below normal and Joyce is not anemic
  • Liver function normal
  • Kidney function appears normal
Overall Joyce is looking well from the cancer center's perspective and they are pleased with the results of the CT scan and blood tests.

Cancer center thinks that Joyce should have another CT scan scheduled for February 2021. If all appears fine after that CT scan, future appointments with the cancer center can be pushed out further.

Michelle confirmed that she will be available for Joyce's family to contact her direct with questions. Dr. Collins will be taking the lead in next steps of care for Joyce. Aspen Park team to schedule an appointment with Dr. Collins to determine next steps for Joyce as far as discharge and orders for care and return to farmhouse. 

Maggie discussed Joyce's state for the last two days with Carol, Connie and Dusty following cancer center's exit from the conference call. Maggie reported that Joyce was okay the last two days and doing better. 

Maggie confirmed that she would setup a telehealth conference with Moscow Medical for Joyce and arrange for Carol, Connie and Dusty to join in via phone similar to today's telehealth session.

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Maggie attempted to call Dusty at 2:59 p.m. to provide updated information but the call was missed. Maggie left voicemail stating that she was departing Aspen Park for the day and that she would attempt to connect with Dusty tomorrow morning to provide update on Joyce and to restart plans for Joyce's anticipated discharge.

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Dusty attempted to call Joyce's room phone at 4:16 p.m. and reached her. Joyce reported she had good news but that Dusty should probably ensure that he "gets the truth of the matter from Connie in case [Joyce] didn't completely understand" what occurred over the phone call with the cancer center. Joyce excitedly shared that she is cancer free (not realizing Dusty was part of the telehealth call), emphasizing that it made her very excited and happy. She was elated that "things are happening, so pleased!"

Dusty provided an update on Frank again to Joyce, repeating the same update information relayed previously. Joyce asked for Dusty to find a way to send card to Frank and Dusty said he would get one sent out on her behalf.

Joyce reviewed her current state, feeling positive about where she was at, reporting that she was eating well and drinking a lot of water. She commended the Aspen Park staff for taking such good care of her and was pleased about the comfort level of her room.

After a brief pause, Joyce then stated that she does not know where she currently is at all now that she thinks on it. She requested Dusty to tell her where she is (not even aware she was still in Moscow). Dusty provided location information to Joyce once more who accepted that she was relatively close to home before saying that all the people "wherever I am" were nice to her.

Joyce thanked Dusty for keeping her informed and that she was very thankful that the family has been sticking to telling her the truth about her condition and keeping nothing hidden from her.

Joyce stated that she was going to watch some television before her dinner arrived and ended the call shortly afterward. 

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