5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Dr. Vesper were in the living room relaxing and watching TV.   As always, Michele spent a few minutes bringing me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  I chatted with Rose and Doctor for a few minutes, took his dinner order, set the table, and began cooking.  Rose napped quietly during this time.  Right before dinner was served, I checked Dr. Vesper’s blood glucose level, which was 93.  He and Rose both enjoyed hearty appetites, though the going was slow for Rose.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of my shift ran in routine fashion.  After dinner, Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, cleaned the microwave, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave them both their evening medications, then took Rose to the bathroom for her night time toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed (about 75%) her teeth.  Dr. Vesper decided at this time that he would like to get ready for bed as well, so Rose waited patiently while he completed his routine.  He required very little assistance from me as he finished in the bathroom and I helped him to bed.  It is so gratifying to see his strength and confidence continue to improve!  I then took Rose back into the bathroom and got her situated on the commode where she urinated and produced a moderate bowel movement.  After we were finished, I got her into bed and applied her eye drops easily.  Dr. Vesper was still awake watching TV when I said good night to them both.  I took a moment to change the clocks on the stove and microwave.  Andrew arrived shortly after to relieve me.

Dinner:     Salad, chicken pot pie (Dr. Vesper), and turkey tetrazzini (Rose).  Dr. Vesper drank diet cherry 7up and Rose had kefir milk.  They both had ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.

Visitors:     Andrew (spending the night)

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Dr. Vesper was relaxing in the living room while Rose and Mossy were in the bathroom finishing Rose’s afternoon toileting.  They had already started some of my dinner prep including setting the table, warming a rotisserie chicken, and selecting side dishes.  Every little bit is very appreciated!   As Mossy was going over the day’s events, the home health nurse arrived to examine Dr. Vesper.  She and Mossy went over all concerns and she did a glucose check as well.  While this was happening, I prepared the dinner salads and tended to Rose.  After the nurse left, Mossy assisted Dr. Vesper to the bathroom, then to the dining room table.   She said a quick good bye as I got Rose to the table and served them both the delicious dinner she arranged.  They both enjoyed hearty appetites and ate well.

7:00-9:00     After dinner Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, set out breakfast items and morning medications, and took out the trash.  At bedtime, I gave them both their evening medications, then took Rose to the bathroom for her night time toilette.  All continued to run in routine fashion beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing (50%) her teeth.  I removed her wet Depends and she produced a large bowel movement (started in her Depends) while seated.  As always, she tolerated clean up like a trooper, even thanking me!  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily before saying good night.  I then checked with Dr. Vesper as to whether he wanted to stay up and wait for Stephanie or start getting ready for bed.  He opted for the latter, so I put his hearing aid in its box (kitchen counter), then attempted to get his glucose levels.  I was unable to get any blood on the first two tries, but was successful on the third.  Unfortunately, the meter threw an error code and I did not get a reading.  Dr. Vesper, understandably, refused further attempts.  I then assisted him to the bathroom, and from there, to the bedroom.  Rose was wide awake, which surprised me as she seemed on the verge of sleep when I tucked her in.  Dr. Vesper asked to watch TV for a few minutes.  I turned it on, handed him the remote, and said good night.  Stephanie arrived shortly after.  We chatted for a short while before I left.

Dinner:     Salad, rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and peas.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.

Visitors:     Home health nurse, Stephanie (spending the night)

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Dr. Vesper were relaxing in the living room watching TV.  Stephanie brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Dr. Vesper was quite alert, engrossed in his program as Rose fell into a deep sleep, snoring frequently.  When she woke, she was all smiles.  They both seemed quite comfortable as I went about setting the table and preparing for dinner.  Dr. Vesper made his way to the bathroom once while I was cooking, but required minimal assistance navigating the hallway.   Before seating them, I checked Doctor’s glucose level which was 110.  Once at the table, they both ate slowly, but quite well.

7:00-9:00     After dinner,  Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room while I cleaned the table, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave them both their night time medications, then took Rose to the bathroom for her evening toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed all her teeth.  She was relaxed tonight and allowed great access.  Once on the commode, she had an extremely large bowel movement, which started in her Depends.  She urinated a lot as well.  Clean up was a bit tedious, but, as always, she was extremely patient.  I took her to bed and applied her eye drops easily before saying good night.  Andrew arrived at this time to spend the night.  He stated he was able to assist Dr. Vesper with his routine and to bed.  Dr. Vesper refused my request for one more glucose test.  He asked what his previous values were and because they were good,  decided it was unnecessary.  I then said good night to them both.

Dinner:     Tossed salad, salmon, peas, and jello salad.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream for dessert.

Visitors:     Andrew (spending the night)

5:00-7:00:     When I arrived, Rose and Dr. Vesper were relaxing in the living room, dozing off and on.  Michelle spent a few minutes bringing me up to speed before leaving.  I chatted with Rose and Doctor for a few minutes, took his dinner order, did a brief inventory of  food items, set the table, and began cooking.  Prior to eating, I checked Dr. Vesper’s glucose level (102), then assisted him down the hall to the bathroom.  Rose was awake and waited patiently until dinner was served.  Dr. Vesper found the trip from the bathroom to the dinner table taxing, but he refused the wheelchair.  He was shaky at the beginning of the meal, but improved significantly after a few minutes.  He and Rose both ate slowly, but well, and we enjoyed lively conversation.  It is truly a joy to have him back!

7:00-9:00:    The remainder of my shift continued in routine fashion.  After dinner, Dr. Vesper and Rose returned to the living room to watch Notre Dame football while I cleaned the kitchen and microwave, washed dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  Though we tried, we just couldn’t get Rose to cheer for the Irish!  At bedtime, I gave them both their evening medications, then took Rose to the bathroom for her night time toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed (75%) her teeth.  I removed her wet Depends, and she had a moderate bowel movement while seated.  Stephanie arrived just as we were finishing, and the three of us visited as I was getting Rose tucked into bed.  I applied her eye drops, then said good night.  Stephanie offered to assist her father with his night time routine as well as to check his glucose levels.  I said good night to them both at this time.

Dinner:     Salad, stuffed chicken breasts (broccoli and cheese for Rose, cordon bleu for Dr. Vesper), glazed carrots, and garlic bread.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  Rose had ice cream for dessert, but Doctor declined.

Visitors:     Stephanie (spending the night)

3:30-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Mossy were on the way to the bathroom preparing to brush Rose’s teeth.  I took over that task while Mossy tied up a few loose ends.  Rose was relaxed and allowed me great access.  I even flossed most of her teeth!  Mossy fed Kemper, then three of us met and chatted for a few minutes in the sitting area before she left for the day.  I took Rose to the bathroom at 4:30 for her afternoon toileting where she was alert and sat fairly upright.  I removed her wet Depends and I believe she urinated slightly, but no bowel movement.  Jessica and Tyler arrived just as we were finishing.  We made sure both Rose and Tyler were comfortable and occupied before we began prepping for dinner.  I set the table and helped her with the chicken as we waited for the guests to arrive.  Andrew helped with the side dishes and they were seated and eating by 6:30.  Rose was napping at this point, but woke easily and enjoyed her usual hearty appetite.

7:oo-9:00     After dinner, everyone pitched in to help clean up, and Jessica made sure that a doggy bag was sent for Stephanie, as she was unable to join us.  I gave Rose her night time medication and set out her morning medication.  Everyone said good night as I was taking her back for her evening toilette.  She was more rigid, but things ran in routine fashion.  I washed her face/hands, then brushed/flossed (minimally) her teeth.  Her Depends were damp and she still had no bowel movement.  I gave her a dose of milk of magnesia (per Mossy’s instruction) before putting her in bed.  I applied her eye drops easily before saying good night.  Jessica and Tyler came in at this time to say good night as well.

Dinner:     Salad, barbequed chicken, and macaroni and cheese.  Rose drank kefir milk and had ice cream for dessert.

Visitors:     Jessica and Tyler (spending the night), Andrew, Sophie, and Charlotte

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose was napping in the sitting area and Stephanie in the kitchen.  We spent a few minutes catching up on things before she left for the day.  I took a few minutes to restock a few things in the bathroom and take out trash before Jessica arrived with Tyler.  Once they arrived, I set the table and helped her prepare dinner.  It was a quiet first half of my shift as Rose continued to sleep for the next hour.  After the dinner guests arrived, she was wide awake, but very quiet as we sat down to eat.  She seemed to be in her “pensive mode”, quiet, but listening to the conversation around her.  She ate well, but slowly, as usual.

7:00-9:00     Things ran a bit late and Stephanie took care of kitchen clean up for me, which enabled me to get Rose started on her evening routine.  I gave her the night time medication, then took her to the bathroom.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed (most!) her teeth.  Her Depends were wet through her pants and she urinated while seated.  However, there was still no bowel movement tonight.  The dinner guests left while we were busy and Jessica and Tyler were preparing to go to bed as well.  I got Rose tucked in and applied her eye drops easily before saying good night.

Dinner:     Cottage ham, green beans, potatoes, artisan bread, cherry pie, and brownies.  The dinner was courtesy of Jessica and the bread and desserts from Mary Lou.  Rose drank kefir milk and enjoyed the pie for dessert.  Thank you all for inviting me to sit down with you, it was fun and delicious!

Visitors:     Jessica and Tyler (spending the night), Stephanie, Andrew, Mary Lou, Sophie, and Charlotte.

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose was relaxing by the back window enjoying the beautiful view.  Michele brought me up to speed on the day’s events and expressed some concern over Rose’s lack of urine output at her afternoon toileting.  After she left, I gave Rose and additional 8 ounces of water to ensure she was well hydrated.  I checked a few things around the house and everything seemed to be well stocked and in great shape.  The only early excitement was a coyote outside teasing Kemper.  Rose and I enjoyed several minutes of quiet time before starting dinner.  Once she was eating, Rose enjoyed a hearty appetite, though the going was fairly slow.

7:00-9:00     Just as she was finishing dinner, Jessica arrived with Tyler and several groceries.  He is such a sweet, busy little guy and kept Grandma and me well entertained.  We all chatted for a while as I washed a couple of dishes and prepared Rose’s morning medications.  I then gave Rose her evening medication and took her to the bathroom for her night time toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed (minimally) her teeth.  I removed her wet Depend and she urinated while seated.  She also passed a lot of gas, but no stool.  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  She seemed very comfortable as I said good night to her.  Stephanie arrived while we were in the bathroom.  She and Jessica went into the bedroom to say good night to their mother as I was leaving.

Dinner:     Salad, chimichurri chicken breast patty, corn with black beans, broccoli, and kefir milk.  Rose also had a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

Visitors:     Jessica and Tyler (spending the night), and Stephanie