5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Sandy were in the bathroom and Dr. Vesper relaxing in front of the TV.  I stopped at Frisch’s on my way to pick up a quick dinner as Doctor had plans to attend an event at the library commemorating the 1937 and 1997 New Richmond floods.  While I set the table, Sandy spent a few minutes bringing me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Mossy also arrived to gather information and make phone calls regarding her ongoing battle with the insurance company over tier exemptions to reduce drug costs.  Once Rose and Dr. Vesper were seated, they both seemed to enjoy their meals, but Doctor ate only half his portion.  I think it’s likely the large chocolate shake he consumed had something to do with that.  He stated he might finish it when he returned from the exhibit, but to my knowledge, he did not.

7:00-9:00     After dinner, Rose and I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I also touched up the bathroom before we returned to the living room to enjoy a few minutes alone together talking and watching TV.  Rose was alert, smiling, and somewhat chatty.  She was killing me at “Jeopardy”!  At bedtime, I gave Rose her evening medication, then took her for her night time toilette.  Her arms were very rigid while changing her, but things generally ran in routine fashion.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  She allowed a thorough brushing, but I could only floss about half as she was bruxing quite a bit.  I changed her wet Depends and she produced an extremely large bowel movement while seated.  This took her quite a while to complete.  I took her to bed afterward and applied her eye drops easily.  Dr. Vesper returned home while we were in the bathroom.  He had changed into his pajamas and was lying in bed waiting for Rose.  He told me used his glucose monitor, but he still had to get back up to take his night time medication and brush his teeth.  We chatted a bit about his library event before saying good night.

Dinner:     Rose had salad, Buddy Boy sandwich, onion rings, and kefir milk.  She also had ice cream for dessert.  Dr. Vesper had a fish sandwich, onion rings, and a large chocolate shake.

Visitors:     Mossy

Note:     I put Kemper’s “Tagg” on the charger per Mossy’s request.

5:00-9:00     When I arrived, Rose and Dr. Vesper were in the living room watching TV as Crystal finished her notes for the blog.  She took a few minutes to update me before leaving.  Rose remained alert and somewhat interactive through the early part of my shift while I set the table and began cooking dinner.  However, she and Dr. Vesper both began to doze just as it was time to eat.  They both enjoyed hearty appetites, though Dr. Vesper chose smaller portions as he was concerned about his weight and glucose levels.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of my shift ran in a very quiet, routine fashion.  Rose and Doctor returned to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  Rose remained awake and alert, though less verbal, until bedtime.  I gave them both their evening medications before taking Rose for her night time toilette.  As usual, I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  Her arms were more rigid than the previous evening while changing her clothes, but once on the commode, she relaxed and leaned severely to her left.  Her Depends were wet, and she produced no bowel movement while seated.  Because it had been over 48 hours since her last BM, I contacted Mossy.  Per her direction, I gave Rose 2T of Milk of Magnesia before putting her to bed.  Once in bed, I applied her eye drops easily before saying good night.  Dr. Vesper was on his way to bed when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breasts, peas, rice, fresh baked baguette, and jello salad.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  Rose also had a small scoop of ice cream for dessert, but Dr. Vesper declined.

Visitors:     None

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose was dozing in her chair and Dr. Vesper on the living room couch watching TV.  Crystal was completing her notes for the blog and took a few minutes to bring me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Dr. Vesper stated he was hungry, so I took his dinner order, set the table, and began cooking.  We chatted about his vacation a bit while Rose continued to nap.  Things ran smoothly and I had them seated and eating by 6:00.

7:00-9:00     Both Rose and Dr. Vesper enjoyed hearty appetites, with Rose completing all of her meal.  She moaned loudly a couple of times while at the table, but I couldn’t find a definitive cause for her distress.  I repositioned her in her chair and it seemed to abate.  After dinner, they returned to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  Once again, Rose fell fast asleep while I was completing these chores.  I gave them their evening medications, then took Rose for her night time toilette.  We followed our usual routine beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  She allowed me great access which enabled me to be very thorough.  Once on the lift I changed her wet Depends, and she urinated while seated.  She produced no bowel movement.  I took her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  Dr. Vesper was watching TV when I said good night to him.  I reminded him to use his glucose monitor and denoted today’s date for him on the log.  (Since returning from vacation, there were values inadvertently entered on the wrong page.)

Dinner:     Salad, crab cakes, wild rice, and peas.  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  Rose had ice cream for dessert, but Doctor declined.

Visitors:     None

Note:     The pill machine dispensed properly tonight.

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Sandy were in the bathroom finishing Rose’s 4:30 toileting, and Dr. Vesper in the living room watching TV.  As always, Sandy brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Dr. Vesper stated he was hungry, so I took his dinner order, set the table, and began cooking right away.  He requested that Rose sit beside him while I was cooking and they spent that time holding hands and dozing.  When it was time to eat, they both enjoyed hearty appetites with Rose completing 100% of her meal.  Because we ran early, Dr. Vesper declined dessert stating he wanted to have it later after checking his glucose levels.

7:00-9:00     After dinner, my shift continued in routine fashion.  Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave them their evening medications, then took Rose to the bathroom for her night time toilette.  I had just put on her pajama top when Stephanie arrived to fill the pill machine.  We stopped what we were doing and returned to the kitchen to visit for a few minutes.  Rose perked right up and became somewhat chatty.  It was obvious they enjoyed seeing each other!  We returned to the bathroom and followed our usual routine beginning with me washing Rose’s face and hands, then brushing and flossing (most) of her teeth.  I changed her wet Depends and she produced a moderate bowel movement while seated.  After we were finished, I took her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  Stephanie was still busy with the pill machine and making plans to take Dr. Vesper to the airport when I said good night to her.  Dr. Vesper was relaxing on the couch when I said good night to him.  I reminded him to use his monitor.  I am unsure if he did, or if he later helped himself to dessert.

Dinner:     Salad, Mexican beef stew, and garlic bread.  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  Rose had ice cream for dessert.

Visitors:     Stephanie

5:00-9:00     When I arrived, Rose and Dr. Vesper were in the living room relaxing and Crystal in the kitchen.  She brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Because we don’t have an additional pad for the bed, I took a moment to do a small load of laundry before prepping for dinner.   Dr. Vesper also stated he misplaced his wallet, but fortunately,  I found it in his bedroom on the TV stand.  I then took his menu order, set the table, and began cooking.  Like last night, Rose dozed lightly during the first half of my shift.  Because he requested an easy meal, I had them seated and eating by 6:00.

7:00-9:00     Rose and Dr. Vesper both had good appetites, but Doctor didn’t enjoy his choice of soup as well as he thought he would.  After dinner, they returned to the living room to watch TV while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I finished the laundry, replenished the dog’s water bowl, took out the garbage,  and helped Dr. Vesper get the cat back to her area.  I gave Rose and Doctor their evening medications,  then took Rose to the bathroom for her night time toilette.  We followed our usual routine beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  Her arms were very rigid tonight, but once again,  she allowed me great access into her mouth and I was able to be very thorough.  Once on the lift, I changed her wet Depends, and she produced a large bowel movement while seated.  This took her a while to complete.  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  Dr. Vesper was getting ready for bed when I said goodnight to him.

Dinner:     Salad, soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches (with ham for Rose).  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  Rose had ice cream, but Dr. Vesper declined dessert.  I did give Rose an additional 8 ounces of water throughout my shift per Mossy’s direction.

Visitors:     None

Note:     I spoke with Stephanie.  She will be in to refill pill machine later tonight or Monday.

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Sandy were in the bathroom and Dr. Vesper in the living room watching TV.  I was early, so I enjoyed a few minutes catching up with Dr. Vesper and talking about his upcoming trip.  He seemed excited and it was nice to see him feeling better.  When Sandy was finished with Rose, she brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  I took Dr. Vesper’s dinner order, set the table, then began cooking.  Rose napped lightly the entire time, but she and Doctor both enjoyed hearty appetites when I served the meal.  Though unfocused, Rose completed her entire meal with no prompting.

7:00-9:00     Things continued to run in routine fashion through the second half of my shift.  After dinner, Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room to watch TV while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, 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.  Though she spent the evening with her eyes closed, as is common during this time, she became quite alert, focused, and chatty.  At one point she asked me, “What is he selling?”  I wish I understood the context!  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  She was able to follow my instruction allowing me access to every single one of them.  I got her on the lift, removed her wet Depends, and she produced a small bowel movement while seated.  I took her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  She remained alert and chatty and I was the lucky recipient of the first good night kiss in a very long time.  Dr. Vesper was still watching TV when I said good night to him.  I reminded him to use his glucose monitor and he promised he would.

Dinner:     Salad, crab cakes, green beans, and wild rice.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream for dessert.

Visitors:     Sandy returned briefly with Dr. Vesper’s mail.  They sent me a text asking me to pick it up on my way in, but I had already arrived when I received it.

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Sandy were just finishing in the bathroom, and Dr. Vesper napping in his bedroom.  Sandy, Rose, and I spent a few minutes in the kitchen chatting as she brought me up to speed on the day’s events.  Rose was quiet, but seemed alert and interested in her surroundings.  After Sandy left, I set the table, prepped the salads, and began cooking.  At 6:30, I knocked on Dr. Vesper’s door to make sure he was ok and let him know dinner was ready.  He seemed surprised at the lateness of the hour, and got up right away.

7:00-9:00     Rose and Doctor both enjoyed hearty appetites with Rose finishing all of her meal.  Dr. Vesper stated he was not feeling well earlier and elected to not go to the gym, but was feeling much better at dinner.  After they finished, they returned to the living room to watch television, alternating between football bowl games and politics.  I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave Hillary her medication, then dispensed evening medications to Doctor and Rose.  When I took Rose for her night time toilette, she was fairly alert and somewhat chatty.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed (about 50%) her teeth.  Once on the lift I changed her saturated Depends.  While seated, she produced a moderated bowel movement, which took some time to complete.  When we were finished, I took her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  Dr. Vesper was on his way to bed as  I was leaving.  I reminded him that it was glucose monitoring night, but still too early for an accurate reading.  He promised me he would do it later.

Dinner:     Salad, crab cakes, peas, wild rice, and corn cakes.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream (Lactaid), for dessert.

Visitors:     None