The Official Joyce Update Blog

Andrea called Dusty last night (8/3/20) around 9:37 p.m. Test results were available and it was confirmed that it appeared that Joyce had a urinary tract infection. Joyce's primary care physician, Dr. Collins, has been updated and directives are pending. Most likely a course of antibiotics will be prescribed by Dr. Collins. Andrea confirmed that Joyce was resting comfortably, still lethargic, but had a good dinner and all of her vitals (blood pressure, oxygen levels, blood glucose) were fine. Andrea offered to transfer Dusty to Joyce's room phone but Dusty declined based on Joyce's status as lethargic and sleepy.  --- Dusty called Aspen Park around 10 a.m. today (8/4/2020), following conclusion of morning meetings and appointments at work, to request an update on Joyce. Dusty spoke with Maggie (Joyce's nurse for the day). The Aspen Park team is waiting on the urine culture that was collected. Once that data is available (which type of bacteria are present), an antibioti...

Dusty called Aspen Park around 9:36 a.m. (8/3/2020) following the conclusion of his morning appointments and meetings, asking to speak with Joyce's nurse (Maggie). Maggie was unavailable at time of this phone call. Aspen Park front desk staff took down Dusty's contact information and stated that they would have Maggie return his call once she was available. --- Maggie returned Dusty's call from earlier in the morning around 11:09 a.m. Dusty provided information as he and Jess experienced it during yesterday's phone calls with Joyce to Maggie. Maggie seemed interested in what Joyce was seeing "out her window" last night as well as her confusion over her location, self identity, and comments about "the guest" and emotional stress at not being able to return home. Maggie received the update on Joyce's behaviors from yesterday during the morning staff meeting and reviewed notes from the Sunday nursing staff. Joyce was reported to be hallucinating aga...

NOTE:  Joyce has been moved out of the quarantine hall and is now in Room 208. Her new phone number is now 208-892-5855. --- Joyce had her teleconference with her primary care provider (Dr. Collins) today, which happened to occur as Dusty was calling Moscow Medical around 12:15 p.m.  Dusty spoke with staff member Wendy at Moscow Medical (unaware Joyce was concurrently meeting with Dr. Collins at that time) about the discharge summary notes Gritman had setup for Joyce about her potential spinal cancer. Dr. Dickinson was listed as the radiation oncologist Joyce was to have follow up. Dusty inquired if that appointment had been scheduled. Moscow Medical staff was unable to determine from Gritman documents if the oncologist appointment had been scheduled but took down Dusty's phone number to call him back with updates once Dr. Collins finished with Joyce's teleconference. Wendy anticipated that Dr. Collins would most likely arrange the oncology appointment with Dr. Dickinson given...

Dusty called Aspen Park to obtain report on Joyce's appointment with Dr. Keizur earlier in the day. Sue, head of nursing care team, stated that Dr. Keizur reported that the stint was removed successfully and he has listed "encouraged fluid intake increase" on the care notes for Joyce. No additional antibiotics were deemed needed as the previously diagnosed UTI appears to have cleared up. Dr. Keizur provided Joyce with some informational paperwork detailing how to avoid kidney stone development.   Sue noted that if Joyce reports hallucinations in the future to the family then they should have her tested for a UTI as it is most likely the cause.  Dusty inquired about the follow up with the cancer center and if a review of Joyce's spinal imaging had been scheduled. Sue stated that she had not knowledge related to that at this time. Sue suggested that the upcoming appointment with Joyce's primary care provider, Dr. Collins, might be where that information is reviewed/...

Andrea of Aspen Park called Dusty to provide an update on Joyce's condition around 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. It was confirmed through urine sample collected yesterday that Joyce does have a urinary tract infection. Dr. Collins was contacted and after reviewing information from Aspen Park lab she is starting Joyce on antibiotics this evening with first dose to be administered with diner this evening. Antibiotic course will be 2/day over 7 days administered with meals by the Aspen Park staff. The UTI will not affect or delay the June 24 appointment with Dr. Keizur to have the stint removed. Dr. Keizur has been updated by Dr. Collins and is up to date on Joyce's situation in regard to the UTI. Andrea reported that Joyce was much better today than yesterday. She has seen no hallucinatory images, has kept her oxygen hose in place, and has not been wandering the hallway in disorientation. The nursing staff has strategically placed Joyce's purple walker farther from her recliner c...

Andrea (nurse at Aspen Park) attempted to call Dusty earlier in the evening to update Dusty on Joyce's condition. Unable to reach Dusty (who was in a troop committee meeting at the time), Andrea contacted Craig to provide the update. Dusty returned Andrea's call and she repeated the information provided to Craig. Andrea, the floor nurse, reported that Joyce was found coming down the down hallway earlier in the day with no oxygen line in use, and was looking for room and could not find her room to return to it. This was a huge red flag to the nursing staff that Joyce may be suffering from effects of a urinary tract infection (UTI) as she was self transferring without notification, was out of her room in hallway by herself, and had no oxygen line on her person. Joyce was escorted back to her room and made comfortable.  Joyce is continuing to have hallucinations about the little boy and girl, but they are still non-distressing in nature. Andrea also noted that Joyce is having more...