5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose, Dr. Vesper, and Tiffany were in the living room chatting and watching television.  Tiffany brought me up to speed on the day’s events including her concerns about Rose’s excessive overnight urine output as well as very loose stools during the day.  She increased the frequency of Rose’s bathroom breaks, and said that Rose otherwise seemed happy and comfortable.  After she left, I asked Dr. Vesper about his wound.  He said it was doing well, and asked me to help him change the dressing.  He would not allow me to use hydrogen peroxide; he felt it was unnecessary.  When we removed the bandage, the area appeared clean, but a few spots bled slightly.  I applied Neosporin generously, then gauze pads, then the wrap, which was holding well.  After we were finished, Doctor stated he was hungry, so I took dinner orders and began prepping right away.  Rose was quiet during this time, but was very observant of the first aid process.

7:00-9:00     Because we got an early start, Rose and Dr. Vesper were seated and eating by 6:30.  They both had good appetites, though Rose ate a bit more slowly than usual.  She did receive Targretin with her meal.  Just as dinner ended, Stephanie called to say she would like to introduce a friend who was interested in (bow) hunting deer on the property.  They arrived as I was cleaning up and joined Rose and Dr. Vesper in the living room.  I continued with my usual tasks of washing the dishes and setting out breakfast items and morning medications.  At bedtime, I gave Dr. Vesper and Rose their evening medications (I/2 Xanax with Rose’s), and then took Rose for her evening toilette.  Our routine was uneventful beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  Her Depends were saturated through with urine, and she produced a moderate bowel movement while seated.  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  She was her usual loving and gracious self when I said good night to her.  Stephanie and her guests left while we were still in the bathroom.  Dr. Vesper was in the living room when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, ham steak with pineapple, and sweet potato fries.  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream for dessert (Lactaid for Dr. Vesper).

Visitors:     Stephanie, friend and son

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Roberta was with Rose in the bathroom finishing her 4:30  toileting, and Dr. Vesper at church.  As always, Roberta brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Under Rose’s supervision, I cleaned the microwave, set the table, and prepared the dinner salad.  I also took out garbage, cleaned the glass doors, and readied the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine.  Dr. Vesper was a bit later than usual, so we had a few minutes to relax together and enjoy some television.  Rose was quiet, but alert and seemingly focused.

7:00-9:00     It was a few minutes after 7:00 when Doctor arrived home, so I put the finishing touches on dinner and had them seated and eating immediately.  He and Rose both had hearty appetites, and Rose received Targretin with her meal.  While they ate, we enjoyed listening to a summer symphony on TV, which was broadcasted from Vienna.  After dinner, they returned to the living room while I completed my usual chores.  I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I asked Dr. Vesper to let me change the dressing on his wound, but he declined.  I did get him to promise  that he would let me do it first thing tomorrow.  I put Kemper to bed, then gave Doctor and Rose their night time medications (including 1/2 Xanax for Rose) before taking Rose back for her evening toilette.  While in the bathroom, Rose became more chatty as I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  She had a moderate BM which started in her Depends and she completed while on the commode.  As always, she tolerated the cleanup like a trooper.  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily before saying goodnight.  Dr. Vesper was still watching TV in the living room when I said good night to him.

Dinner:  Salad, chicken cordon bleu, and glazed carrots.  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  For dessert, Rose had ice cream and Doctor had key lime pie with decaf.

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose was with Roberta in the bathroom finishing her 4:30 toileting.  Dr. Vesper was in the living room reading and watching TV.  When she finished with Rose, Roberta spent a few minutes bringing me up to speed on the day’s events while Dr. Vesper slipped away for a late afternoon nap.  After she left, I readied the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine, replenished the dog’s food and water bowls, set the table, and began prepping salad for dinner.  Rose joined me in the kitchen and even helped with the salad spinner.  Though typically clenched, her hands relaxed a bit as they went through the motions and she seemed to enjoy participating.  Once Doctor emerged from his bedroom, I finished cooking, and he and Rose both enjoyed hearty appetites.  Rose was generally quiet, but alert at this time.  She did receive Targretin with her meal.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of my shift ran in a quiet, uneventful manner.  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 night time medications including 1/2 Xanax for Rose.  Per Dr. Vesper, I put Kemper to bed then took Rose back for her evening toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  Her Depends was saturated leaking through to her pants, and she produced a moderate, loose stool while seated on the commode.  I disinfected the seat to her wheelchair, cleaned her up, then took her to bed.  I applied her eye drops easily before saying good night.  Dr. Vesper was still watching TV when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, lasagna, garlic bread, and peas.  Rose drank Kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They had ice cream for dessert (Lactaid for Dr. Vesper).

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Tiffany and Rose were in the kitchen area, and Dr. Vesper working outside.  Tiffany and I chatted for a bit about the day’s events before she left.  She had some concern that Rose had developed a very loose stool/diarrhea and took her to the bathroom every two hours.  Rose seemed happy and comfortable, but dozed in her chair during the first part of my shift.  When Dr. Vesper came in, they sat together in the living room while I began dinner prep.  Once seated and eating, they both enjoyed hearty appetites.  Rose did receive Targretin at this time.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of my shift was also uneventful.  After dinner, Doctor and Rose returned to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  Rose remained quiet, but alert.  I readied the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine, then gave them both their evening medications, including 1/2 Xanax for Rose.  Rose’s toilette ran in routine fashion beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  Her Depends was nearly dry with a trace of stool.  She was gassy and had a moderate, loose stool while seated.  Afterward, I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  She continued to make lip smacking sounds after my good night kiss!  Dr. Vesper was turning off the living room lights when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, citrus chicken, rice, and peas.  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, Rose and Roberta were in the bathroom finishing Rose’s 4:30 toileting, and Dr. Vesper at church.  Roberta brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving for the day.  Rose was quiet, but very alert and kept me company while I set the table and began prepping the salads for dinner.  When I asked what she would like for dinner, Rose replied, “Chuck roast”.  I clarified her request, and  began cooking without Doctor’s input.  I felt certain he would be happy to accommodate a request made by Rose, even if the menu was not his first choice.  Dinner was ready when he came home, and they both enjoyed hearty appetites.  Rose received Targretin with her meal.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of my shift ran in very 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.  At bedtime, I gave them both their evening medications, then took Rose back for her night time toilette.  We followed our typical routine beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  Though somewhat rigid, Rose was not particularly anxious and became more verbal at this time.  Once on the commode, I changed her saturated Depends, and she produced a large, loose stool while seated.  Clean up was a snap and I took her to bed where I applied her eye drops easily.  She was her usual, pleasant and loving self when we said good night.  Dr. Vesper was still watching TV when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, beef pot roast, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli.  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  For dessert, Rose had ice cream and Doctor had key lime pie.

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, I was greeted at the front door by Kemper and Dr. Vesper, who was in the living room watching TV.  Rose was in the bathroom with Roberta just finishing her 4:30 toileting.  Roberta was kind enough to spend a few minutes providing me with updates on current events before leaving for the day.  After that, Rose, Doctor, and I spent a few minutes chatting before I began setting the table and starting dinner.  Rose was alert and interactive, and this continued through my entire shift.  Things ran smoothly, and they were seated and eating by 6:15.  Rose and Dr. Vesper both enjoyed hearty appetites and Rose received Targretin with her meal.

7:00-9:00     After dinner, Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room to watch television while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I reminded Doctor that he was scheduled for a fasting blood draw and was allowed coffee and water, but nothing to eat when he awakened.  I also left a reminder note to that effect at the table (in lieu of his box of scones).  I gave them both their evening medications including 1/2 Xanax with Rose’s.  We then went to the bathroom for Rose’s evening toilette which ran in typical fashion, beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  I have been playing classical music on my phone during our routine and Rose seemed to particularly enjoy it this evening.  During one concerto I thought she might come out of her seat clapping, swaying, and tapping to the music.   She seemed happy, carefree, and it was most gratifying to connect with her on this level!  Once I got her on the commode, I changed her saturated Depends, but she produced no more urine and had no bowel movement.  When I got her to bed, I applied her eye drops easily and we said good night.  I fed the cat, then put Kemper to bed.  Dr. Vesper was still watching TV when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, beef and broccoli stir fry, and rice.  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both enjoyed ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.

5:00-9:00     When I arrived, Roberta and Rose were in the bathroom finishing Rose’s 4:30 toileting.  Dr. Vesper was in his bedroom, but emerged a few minutes later.  As always, Roberta spent a few minutes bringing me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Rose had a good, but quiet day, which continued through my shift.  I replenished the dog’s food and water bowls, set the table, and prepared the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine.  Jessica purchased some fresh pork and produce and together we made a healthy, tasty dinner.  Rose and Doctor both ate with their usual good appetites and Rose received Targretin at this time.

7:00-9:00     Thanks to Jessica’s help with the meal and clean up, things continued to run uneventfully and on time.  After dinner, Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room to watch television.  While Jessica was outside with the dogs, I finished cleaning the kitchen and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave Rose and Dr. Vesper their evening medications (1/2 Xanax with Rose’s), then took Rose to the bathroom for her evening toilette.  As per usual, I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  Her Depends was saturated, but no stool.  I got her into bed and applied her eye drops uneventfully.  She was somewhat more verbal as I said good night to her.  Jessica was in the study and Dr. Vesper was in the living room when I said good night to them.

Dinner:     Salad, pork with onions and apples, and quinoa.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Doctor had diet cherry 7up.   They both had ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.