General Update #197 - October 26, 2020

Dusty arrived to farmhouse ~8:15 a.m., finding Joyce asleep in her chair without her oxygen line in place. Lights in kitchen and living room were switched on (Jess and Dusty switched them off the night before on the way out the door), prompting Dusty to ask who had been in the house. Joyce said that no one had been in the house but that she "had been up since about 6 or 6:30 a.m." and "got a notion to go through all of her cupboard doors in the kitchen to see what was there."

8:24 a.m. - Bathroom trip. Evidence Joyce had a bowel movement before Dusty's arrival to farm. Diaper did not have a diaper pad insert, and diaper had fecal matter throughout the padded area (most likely from areas Joyce did not clean well. Joyce insisted that she had not soiled herself in her recliner but had instead gotten up and passed a bowel movement into the toilet. Joyce panicked that Dusty would put her into the shower. Dusty worked on calming Joyce down. Joyce passed urine and bowel movement. 

Craig arrived to farmhouse ~8:49 a.m. to visit, check obituaries, deliver raisins (made from Candice grapes by Carol) and ask if he could borrow Joyce's Subaru to run errands.

PT walk following toileting, traveled into family room and then into kitchen. Joyce articulated her concerns about checking the kitchen cabinets because she noticed the measuring cup drawer had been pulled out of its place, emptied, and left near the sink. Dusty explained that he and Jess were cleaning and reorganizing that drawer's contents so the drawer was easier to use for family members and would close easily. Dusty also explained he is cleaning all the kitchen utensils, bowls, pans, etc. to get them ready for use, to sanitize what might've become contaminated over the years, and to run water to keep the pipes from freezing. Joyce relaxed at this explanation as she had thought that Dusty was throwing out all of her stuff.

8:52 a.m. - BP 180/100, pulse 85. BGL @ 116. Dusty replaced lancet cartridge.

~9 a.m. - Craig departed farmhouse.

9:12 a.m. - Breakfast (1/2 banana, sweet potato with butter and honey). Joyce finished breakfast while Dusty was on video call with his director. 

NW Respiratory called Dusty's cell phone while he was on the video call with his director and left voicemail about the wheelchair documentation paperwork from Dr. Collins. Dr. Collins office has not responded to their queries and so Dusty will need to follow up to get documentation. Options are available if family wants to pursue private rental of a wheelchair for Joyce as well. 

9:47 a.m. - Nutritional shake and morning medication (Carvedilol, metformin, 2 Tylenol, multivitamin, iron, potassium) given to Joyce.

11:30 a.m. - Bathroom trip without incident. Urine passed. PT walk into living room and bedroom before returning to recliner.  

Bridget with Family Resource Homecare called Dusty's cellphone while he was helping Joyce with bathroom cleanup. Voicemail left, wanted to know if family was interested in pursuing home care options for Joyce with their company or if they'd decided to pursue other options.

1 p.m. - Joyce declined bathroom trip. Declined lunch. 

Dusty talked with Loyal via phone call to his cell phone. Loyal shared his expression of concern and well wishes to Joyce who appreciated his thoughts for her.

~1:30 p.m. - Craig arrived to get a cup of coffee and visit with Joyce. Departed ~1:45 p.m.

~1:45 p.m. - Bathroom trip without incident. PT walk into living room before returning to recliner ~2 p.m. Joyce declined lunch but Dusty negotiated with some success.

2:13 p.m. - Lunch (bowl of leftover Hamburger Helper). 2 Tylenol for pain relief.

3 p.m. - Joyce declined bathroom trip, citing fatigue. 

3:30 p.m. - Joyce declined bathroom trip, citing fatigue.

4 p.m. - Joyce declined bathroom trip, citing fatigue.

4:15 p.m. - Joyce declined bathroom trip, citing fatigue. 

4:45 p.m. - Bathroom trip without incident. Joyce ecstatic that she made it through the entire day without bladder incontinence. PT walk into living room and to kitchen. Joyce elated she did all PT walks Dusty asked her to complete. Joyce stated she would like to try doing lower or upper body PT or OT tomorrow. Dusty said he would work on planning that into her day. Joyce requested to sit in the blue chair in the kitchen instead of her recliner.

Dusty departing farmhouse ~5 p.m., returning tomorrow ~8 a.m. Carol arriving ~5:30 p.m. to provide afternoon/evening care for Joyce.

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Joyce very alert and active in the morning, napping hard through the late afternoon, but remained alert and talkative when waking from nap. Joyce continued to remove her oxygen line intermittently throughout the day when awake or sleeping. 


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