General Update #151

Dusty arrived to farmhouse ~8:38 a.m. to find Joyce sitting upright, hunched over, without oxygen line in her recliner. Joyce was awake and alert, having just sat herself down from taking herself to the bathroom (explaining that she hadn't been without oxygen line being in place for long). Joyce reported that she did not have any issues with incontinence or bowel discharge during the night, with her diaper remaining clean (she inspected it while toileting). Dusty inspected bathroom and no accidental urination appears to have occurred while Joyce was lowering herself onto toilet riser. Dusty asked Joyce if she had managed to get the new-style diaper into place and if it was easier for her to manipulate. Joyce stated that it was easier but would need better instruction on its use and correct placement upon her person as she did struggle a bit with solo toileting duties.

Dusty went to remove Joyce's Lidocaine patch. Dusty asked if someone had arrived before him in the morning and removed it for her. Joyce reported that no one else had come through since Dusty and Jess departed last night. Joyce stated that the Lidocaine patches "tend to come off." Dusty didn't locate it tangled or rolled in Joyce's shirt or bra. Dusty eventually found it on the floor beside Joyce's recliner. Joyce became defensive when Dusty asked if she had taken it off (as it appeared deliberately rolled and folded. Dusty assured Joyce he wasn't upset she took it off, just that it should remain on her. Joyce eventually relaxed after she understood Dusty was not upset with her about the patch being taken off and Dusty explained he is just trying to determine if she did not like the sensation of it on her while she slept. Joyce stated that she must've removed it in her sleep. Dusty stated he will try putting it on again this evening and if he finds it gone again tomorrow morning he will assume that Joyce might find it uncomfortable during her sleeping hours and will switch back to applying it during daytime hours.

Dusty prepared Joyce breakfast before administering her morning medications. Joyce ate her slice of toast with butter and apricot jam, even though she insisted that she was not hungry. Dusty made Joyce a cup of Earl Grey tea and provided a fresh cup of water. Dusty offered to prepare 1/4 of a banana and/or a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese for Joyce but she declined, citing not being hungry but did state she could try eating those things later on. Joyce asked if she could still drink her remaining V8 juice from yesterday (as it was covered all night) and Dusty confirmed she could if she wanted. She took a sip and set it aside, stating she will work on it through the morning.

~9: 16 a.m. Morning medication complement was administered to Joyce (Carvedilol, Metformin, 2 Tylenol, Potassium supplement, Iron supplement, Multivitamin). 

Dusty setup Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to play in the DVD player for Joyce once breakfast was finished. He'd attempted to play Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring last night for her prior to departing for home but Joyce stated she wanted "something happier" in the DVD player for the night. As Dusty had left Finding Nemo on the night before, this time he followed Jess' suggestion that The Good Dinosaur would be a good night film for Joyce as she enjoys it and would find it comforting.

~9:36 a.m. - Dusty convinced Joyce to recline back in her chair into a semi-prone position after some resistance as Joyce kept trying to sleep in a forward hunched position with her forehead toward her knees. Joyce began to doze off and on while watching Harry Potter film.

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