5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Sandy was with Rose in the bathroom and Dr. Vesper at church.  Sandy stated that Rose had a lengthy BM which took her a while to complete.  She also told me that Rose ate well, but was unfocused and napped frequently throughout the day.  After she left, Rose accompanied me in the kitchen while I set the table and began dinner prep.  She appeared very fatigued and slept while I did this.  She awakened when Dr. Vesper got home and I had them seated and eating by 6:30.

7:00-9:00     Doctor and Rose both ate well with Rose finishing her entire meal.  She ate eagerly and required no prompting.  However, she chattered and moaned loudly and frequently.  I was unable to engage her and she kept looking toward the ceiling.  I repositioned her and checked for any possible reason for her seeming discomfort.  I am unsure that pain was the source.  She 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 both their evening medications before taking Rose for her night time toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed her teeth.  She would not allow me enough access to floss.  Though very rigid, Rose calmed down vocally as we continued through her routine.  I got her on the lift and removed her damp Depends.  She passed a lot of gas, but produced no more stool.  She was very fatigued and leaned her head severely to her left and her legs to her right.  It appeared as if she was trying to lay down.  I worked quickly to get her to bed.  I applied her eye drops easily and she was nearly asleep when I said good night to her.  Dr. Vesper was turning off the lights and television when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, meat loaf, mashed potatoes, fresh steamed broccoli, and corn bread toasts.  Rose drank Kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.

Visitors:     None

5:00-7:00  When I arrived, Sandy and Rose were in the kitchen and Dr. Vesper in his bedroom.  He emerged a few moments later, and the four of us chatted a bit before Sandy left for the day.  Sandy mentioned that Rose ate well, but did not nap.  During my shift Rose appeared rigid, uncomfortable, and moaned frequently.  She was not feverish or cold,  and I gave her the Poseys to grasp.  I checked the tension on her seatbelt and repositioned her several times.  Fortunately, Dr. Vesper’s symptoms (vertigo) were non-existent today.  He attributed that to better hydration.  He requested a simple meal, and I had them seated and eating by 6:00.

7:00-9:00     As usual, Dr. Vesper ate well, but Rose had little appetite, eating only half her dinner.   She has not had a bowel movement since Saturday night.  I suspect constipation is contributing to her discomfort and anxiety.  Afterward, they returned to the living room to watch TV while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, took out trash,  and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave them both their night time medications, then took Rose for her evening toilette.  She remained very rigid and was bruxing her teeth to the extreme.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed her teeth.  She allowed me enough access to floss about half of them.  Her Depends were wet and when seated on the commode, she passed a lot of gas.   She produced no stool, but still seemed to be somewhat relieved.  Once I got her to bed, she was much more comfortable.  I applied her eye drops easily before saying good night to her.  Dr. Vesper was using his glucose monitor and preparing to watch the presidential debate when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Dr. Vesper had grilled cheese, tomato soup, jello salad, and diet cherry 7up.  Rose had 1/2 grilled ham and cheese, butternut squash soup, jello salad, and chocolate protein milk.  She had a very small scoop of ice cream for dessert.  Dr. Vesper stated he was too full and declined.

Visitors:     Sandy Hayslip (yardwork)

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Mossy were in the kitchen and Dr. Vesper in his bedroom.  Mossy brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  While we were chatting, Dr. Vesper appeared stating he felt fine.  While he watched TV, I set the table and began prepping the dinner salad.  Though he had not changed position for at least 10 minutes, Doctor said that he was feeling dizzy.  I took his blood pressure which was 128/65 (pulse 59).  Fortunately the vertigo subsided rapidly, lasting no more than 1-2 minutes.  He reported no more incidents during my shift and appeared well.  Rose dozed on/off until dinner, which was served around 6:15.

7:00-9:00     It was “leftover night” and Dr. Vesper enjoyed his usual hearty appetite.  Rose ate fairly well, though the going was much slower with her.  After dinner they returned to the living room and the remainder of my shift ran in very routine fashion.  While they enjoyed football, I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave them both their night time medications before taking Rose for her evening toilette.  While in the bathroom, I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed (minimally) her teeth.  Changing her clothes was challenging as she was more rigid than usual.  While on the lift I removed her saturated Depends and she urinated while seated on the commode.  There was no BM, however.  I got her to bed where she seemed quite comfortable, and applied her eye drops easily.  She suddenly became quite verbal, clearly thanking me for helping her!  I hope she somehow understands how much her words mean to me.  Dr. Vesper was in the living room chatting with Jennifer on the phone when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, chicken parma rosa (Rose), chicken marsala (Dr. Vesper), green beans, and jello salad.  Rose drank chocolate protein milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.

Visitors:     None

5:00-7:00     When I arrived,  Rose was with Sandy in the kitchen and Dr. Vesper at church.  While we were chatting, Lily arrived with a friend and informed me there would be several more on the way.  They were meeting for pre-homecoming pizza and pictures.  They gathered and remained on the east side of the house until Stephanie arrived.  They were all beautiful, poised, and polite and caused Rose no anxiety.  After Sandy left, I set the table and began dinner prep.  Dr. Vesper arrived home just as things were finished cooking, and I had them seated and eating by 6:30.

7:00-9:00     Dr. Vesper ate with his usual gusto.  Rose ate slowly, but finished most of her meal.  She exhibited occasional discomfort, but I believe it was due to some GI distress.  After dinner, Rose and Doctor returned to the living room to watch TV while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  Stephanie and Charlotte joined them for a while before leaving.  Charlotte seems to enjoy a special bond with Rose.  Rose was more focused, interactive, and chatty with her than any time I’ve seen in a while!  When I finished in the kitchen, I gave Rose and Dr. Vesper their night time medications, then took Rose to the bathroom for her evening toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed her teeth.  She would not allow flossing tonight.  Once on the lift, I removed her barely damp Depends, but she urinated and produced a substantial bowel movement while seated.  Her relief was literally audible.  I got her to bed easily and applied her eye drops.  She was still awake, but very relaxed when I said good night to her.  Dr. Vesper was using his glucose monitor when I said good night to him.  He exhibited no vertigo during my shift, but I believe he had some upon awakening this morning.

Dinner:     Salad, lemon pepper tilapia, wild rice, and peas.  Rose drank carrot juice, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream for dessert.

Visitors:     Stephanie, Lily, Charlotte, and several friends.

5:00-7:00     Rose and Sandy were in the kitchen when I arrived, while Dr. Vesper was outside looking for Sandy Hayslip.  Sandy U. spent a few minutes updating me before leaving.  I spent a few minutes readying the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine, then set the table and began prepping the dinner salad.  Rose kept me company in the kitchen while I worked.  She was awake, but unfocused and non-communicative.  I served dinner around 6:30 and, though very slow going, she ate quite well.  Dr. Vesper enjoyed his usual hearty appetite.

7:00-9:00     After dinner, they returned to the living room to watch TV.  Rose remained awake, but began leaning to her left and severely forward.  I put her feet on the ottoman and propped her head with pillows.  I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I applied anti-itch medication to Kemper’s underbelly and took out trash.  I gave Rose and Dr. Vesper their night time medications before taking Rose to the bathroom for her evening toilette.  I started her routine in the usual fashion beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  Her leaning and rigidity were more severe than usual making these tasks very difficult.  Once I got her on the lift, I changed her damp Depends which contained a trace amount of stool.  She urinated slightly while seated.  Once I got her to bed she appeared much more comfortable.  I applied her eye drops easily before saying good night to her.  Dr. Vesper was in the kitchen utilizing his gluscose monitor.  He was preparing to reward himselft with a bowl of ice cream as I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, baked lemon pepper salmon, peas, and wild rice.  Rose drank kefir milk and Doctor had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.

Visitors:     Sandy Hayslip and daughter (mowing)

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Mossy and Rose were in the bathroom, and Dr. Vesper napping in his bedroom.  While Mossy finished with Rose, I set the table and began prepping the salads for dinner.  Mossy was kind enough to offer a few more tips regarding the geri chair, then together we got it loaded and secured in the van before she left for the day.  In the meantime, Dr. Vesper emerged from his room and he watched TV while Rose napped in her chair till dinner was ready.   They were seated and eating around 6:30.

7:00-9:00     Dr. Vesper enjoyed his usual hearty appetite.  Rose began eating with the same gusto, but slowed  down and was unable to finish her entire meal.  She was awake and fairly focused, but had to be encouraged to chew.  After dinner, they both returned to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I also applied an anti-itch lotion to Kemper’s underbelly per Mossy’s instruction.  The remainder of my shift continued in very routine fashion.  I gave Rose and Doctor their night time medications before taking Rose for her evening toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  She was less verbal than the previous evening, but not rigid, and able to respond to some of my requests.  Once on the lift I was able to change her Depends which contained a large, loose bowel movement.  She urinated and produced another small stool while seated.  Clean up was somewhat tedious, but Rose was her usual patient self.  When we were finished, I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  She seemed to fall asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.  Dr. Vesper was ready for bed as well and was there chatting on his cell phone when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, chicken piccatta (olive garden), pan roasted potatoes, and jello salad.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Sandy and Rose were in the kitchen and Dr. Vesper at church.  I received an earlier text from Stephanie notifying me of his plans for the remainder of the evening.  Sandy spent a few minutes bringing me up to speed on recent events including a brief tutorial on the operation of Rose’s geri chair.  After she left, I set the table, prepped the dinner salad, and readied the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine.  Though she kept me company in the kitchen, Rose dozed till dinner time.  She enjoyed a simple meal of leftovers, but ate very well with little prompting.  She was alert, but non communicative.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of my shift was quiet and uneventful.  Rose again accompanied me in the kitchen while I cleaned up and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I had a brief conversation with Mossy who kindly offered a few more pointers on the most efficient and comfortable use of the chair for Rose.  I then gave Rose her night time medication and took her to the bathroom for her evening toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  As is common, she became much more verbal at this time, though I had difficulty understanding most of her words.  I was happy to enjoy any verbal interaction with her!  Once on the commode, she urinated slightly, but produced no bowel movement and her Depends was only damp.  When we were finished, I got her to bed, applied her eye drops easily, and said good night.  She seemed very fatigued and closed her eyes immediately.  When Dr. Vesper arrived, I made sure he took his night time medication, but he elected to forego the glucose monitoring due to the lateness of his meal.

Dinner:     Rose had salad, spaghetti with marina, and a chocolate protein drink.  She also had ice cream for dessert.  I am not certain what Dr. Vesper ate, but he brought home two doggie bags!

Visitors:     none