5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Tiffany, Jessica, and Rose were in the kitchen, and Dr. Vesper out visiting his sister.  I introduced myself to Tiffany, who spent a few minutes bringing me up to date on the day’s events before leaving.  I think she’ll make a great addition to our team!  After that, Jessica and I spent a few minutes discussing what we should do for dinner.  At first we weren’t sure if Dr. Vesper would be eating, but he later called to say he ate at Frisch’s and would not be joining us.  I then set the table, replenished the dog’s water bowl, readied the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine, took the recyclables out to the garage, and, with Jessica’s help, began dinner prep.

7:00-9:00     Dr. Vesper arrived home just as Rose and Jessica sat down to eat.  He declined dinner and dessert, but joined us in lively conversation.  Rose ate slowly tonight and spoke little, but was very alert.  She did receive Targretin with her meal.  After dinner, Jessica helped me clear the table before going outside to exercise the dogs.  Rose joined Doctor in the living room while I washed the dishes and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave them both their evening medications (1/2 Xanax for Rose) before taking Rose for her night time toilette.  We followed our usual routine of washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  Her Depends were completely saturated and filled with stool and she produced another large BM while seated.  Clean up was tedious and lengthy, but Rose tolerated it like a trooper.  We talked each other through it with me reassuring her that I was almost finished and her asking me to “Please hurry up!”   Once in bed I applied her eye drops easily and she seemed quite comfortable.  She was less chatty than the night before, but very pleasant as I said good night.  Dr. Vesper was in the living room when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Sesame and ginger grilled chicken, broccoli, carrots, corn bread, and kefir milk.  Rose also had ice cream for dessert.

Visitors:     Jessica

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Roberta and Rose were in the bathroom, and Dr. Vesper at church.  Jessica greeted me and we chatted for a bit till it was time to clock in.  Roberta spent a few minutes bringing me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Rose was alert and chatty for most of the day, but more subdued during my shift.  Roberta did not have an opportunity to complete Rose’s exercises, so we used the bike for a few minutes and “danced” to some music.  Rose’s upper body was quite rigid, and I gave her the posey to hold.  I then set the table, replenished the dog’s water bowl, helped Jessica clean out the refrigerator, and began prep for the dinner salad.  When Dr. Vesper got home, I took his dinner order and began cooking.  He and Rose were seated and eating by 7:00.

7:00-9:00     Rose and Doctor both enjoyed hearty appetites.  We were joined by Jessica and had great conversation as well.  Rose spoke a few words, and seemed very animated at this time.  She did receive her Targretin at this time.  After dinner, Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room to watch TV while I cleaned the kitchen, loaded and ran the dishwasher, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I gave them both their evening medicines (including 1/2 Xanax with Rose’s) before taking her back for her night time toilette.  Things ran in routine fashion beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  There was a moderate stool in her Depends, which she completed while on the commode.  Once she was cleaned up, I got her into bed and applied her eye drops easily.  As it frequently happens, Rose became quite chatty, loving, and gracious as I said good night to her.  Dr. Vesper and Jessica were busy getting the dogs ready for bed when I said good night to them.

Dinner:     Salad, sweet and sour chicken, and rice.  Rose drank milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  For dessert, he had key lime pie and she had ice cream.

Visitors:     Jessica

5:00-7:00     I was greeted outside by Dr. Vesper when I arrived.  He showed me some of the landscaping on which he and Jacob had been working.  He then left in his truck for a destination unknown to me.  I went in the house and found Rose and Roberta in the kitchen area.  We chatted a few minutes and she brought me up to speed on the day’s events.  After Roberta left, I readied the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine, cleaned the glass doors, set the table, and began prepping the salad for dinner.  I kept Rose near me, but found her difficult to engage during this time.  When Dr. Vesper returned, I took his dinner order and they were seated and eating by 7:00.

7:00-9:00     Rose and Doctor both ate with their usual hearty appetites, and we enjoyed lively conversation.  Rose seemed more alert and laughed along with us several times.  She received Targretin at this time.  After dinner they returned to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, took out garbage, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  I also took a few minutes to clean up some landscaping rocks accidently spilled on the driveway.  As I was taking Rose back for her evening toilette, Dr. Vesper decided to leave for Home Depot.  Rose’s routine was typical beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  Her Depends was saturated, with just a trace of stool.  She passed a marble sized BM while seated, but nothing more.  When we were finished, I took her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  She was quiet when I said good night to her.  Dr. Vesper arrived home shortly after that.  They both did receive their night time medications (1/2 Xanax with Rose’s) at bedtime.

Dinner:     Salad, beef and broccoli stir fry.  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, CJ, and Mossy were in the kitchen/living area discussing various topics related to caregiving for Rose and Dr. Vesper.  Mossy was there mainly to drop off Father’s Day gifts and to determine the reason CJ was unable to post to the blog.  Dr. Vesper was out with Stephanie driving around and enjoying his day with her.  While everyone was busy, I tended to Rose, who was quiet, but generally alert.  I set the table and began salad prep, but was undecided about what to have for dinner as I was unsure of Doctor’s plans.  He finally called to say he was on the way and opted for an easy meal.  CJ left before he arrived, but Mossy stayed for a bit to watch him open his gifts.  Rose had already eaten her salad, and after Mossy left, she and Dr. Vesper finished their dinner.  Rose did receive her Targretin at this time.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of my shift ran in routine fashion.  After dinner, Rose and Doctor 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 gave them their night time medications (1/2 Xanax with Rose’s) and took Rose back for her evening toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  Again, she was very rigid making changing her top quite difficult.  Once on the commode, I changed her saturated Depends, but she did not urinate or move her bowels.  She did pass an excessive amount of gas while seated.  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  As she often does, she became more chatty at this time.  I said good night to her, fed the cat, found Dr. Vesper in the living room, and said good night to him.

Dinner:     Rose had salad, rotisserie chicken, peas, corn, and Kefir milk.  Dr. Vesper had a salad, chicken pot pie, and diet cherry 7up.  For dessert, Rose had ice cream and Doctor had a key lime tart with decaf, courtesy of Stephanie for Father’s Day.

Visitors:     Mossy, Stephanie

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Roberta were in the bathroom finishing Rose’s 4:30 toileting while Dr. Vesper was at church.  Roberta filled me in on things before leaving for the day.  After she left, I set the table, boiled some water (advisory in effect), ran the sweeper, and began dinner prep.  I was surprised to find standing water in both crisper drawers and on one shelf in the refrigerator.  I cleaned it up and threw away several bags  of spoiled fresh vegetables.  There are several containers of water in the refrigerator, but none was overturned and I was unable to find the source.  I do not believe there was a malfunction as it remained dry the rest of my shift.  Throughout this time, I encouraged Rose to drink water and cranberry juice per Mossy’s direction given to Roberta.  She finished all the water, but was unable to drink the last 3-4 ounces of juice before dinner.  Rose was spoke little, but awake and alert the entire shift.

7:00-9:00     Dr. Vesper arrived home from church around 7:20, and he and Rose were seated and eating shortly after.  They both had hearty appetites and Rose received Targretin at this time.  We enjoyed lively conversation with Rose laughing along with us.  After dinner, they returned to the living room to watch television while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, took out trash, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  When it was time for Rose’s night time toilette, Dr. Vesper went outside with the dog while I took Rose to the bathroom.  I did make sure they both had their evening medications.  Rose’s routine was typical beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth. Her upper body was quite rigid making changing her clothes challenging.  Once on the lift, I changed her Depends, which was saturated through to her pants.  While on the commode, she urinated only.  We finished quickly and I got her into bed, then applied her eye drops easily.  Though she did not say more than one word at a time all evening, she was generous with her gratitude when I was leaving.  She said, “Thank you.  Thank you very much!”  I fed the cat, then found Dr. Vesper in the living room watching television.  He said he was going to get ready for bed when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, rotisserie chicken, corn, 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 living area while Dr. Vesper was outside working in the yard.  Roberta spent a few minutes updating me on the day’s events before leaving for the afternoon.  Shortly after, she returned with Dr. Vesper, who had scraped up his left forearm while moving some ply wood.  He refused to let me see or help him with his wound, and went to the bathroom to clean it up.  He kept it hidden till later in the day, and I could see it was long, but superficial.  It appears worse than it is due to the thinness of his skin.  He and Rose sat together in the living room reading and enjoying television while I prepped and cooked dinner, though he got up and down several times.  I wonder if the prednisone he is taking contributes to his inability to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time.  I will discuss this with Mossy when we next chat.

7:00-9:00     Rose was quiet for most of my shift, but was pleasant and seemed more comfortable than yesterday.  At dinner, she and Doctor both ate with hearty appetites.  Rose received Targretin at this time.  After dinner, Doctor helped clear dishes before going back outside.  Rose supervised while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, took out the garbage, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  She was still quiet, but alert and focused.  Dr. Vesper returned indoors and I made sure he and Rose had taken their evening medications.  When I took her back for her night time toilette, Doctor stated he was going to take the car, but remain on the property.  He wanted to do some sketching.  Rose’s evening routine was typical beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  Her Depends was saturated with a trace of stool.  She completed a large BM while seated.  I applied triple antibiotic cream to the area of concern, which continues to improve.  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily before saying good night.  It was dark and Dr. Vesper had not yet returned.  Just as I was beginning to call his cell, he pulled in the driveway.  We chatted for several minutes before saying good night.

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

4:00-7:00     Rose, Dr. Vesper, and CJ were in the living room when I arrived.  Rose was napping in her recliner, but woke easily when it was time for her toileting.  CJ fed Kemper, then together, we transferred Rose to her wheelchair and took her to the bathroom.  CJ operated the lift and took care of Rose seamlessly, with very little direction from me.  Rose’s Depends was wet and she urinated only while on the commode.  She applied the triple antibiotic cream to the spot on Rose’s bottom and expressed concern that there might be another one starting.  I checked the area carefully during her bedtime toileting and thought the first spot looked better and no evidence of a second one.  While they were finishing up, Dr. Vesper took me for a brief tour of his landscaping.  When we returned, he took CJ for a tour while I set the table and began dinner prep.  Rose was very quiet at this time;  alert, but difficult to engage.  Once they returned, CJ left for the day and Doctor retired to his room for a short “power” nap.

7:00-9:00     Per his request, I woke Dr. Vesper at 7:00 and he and Rose were seated and eating shortly after.  They both had healthy appetites, but Rose remained uncommunicative.  She began to make occasional soft moaning sounds, but I could not find any source of discomfort.  Her hands were clenched and she held the posey nearly my entire shift.  She did receive Targretin at this time.  After dinner, she and Doctor returned to the living room to watch television, though he was in and out the remainder of my shift.  I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, cleaned the glass doors, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  They both received their evening medications at bedtime.  Rose’s evening toilette generally ran in routine fashion, though she continued to seem uncomfortable.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  There was a moderate stool in her Depends and she completed a large BM while seated.  She was upright on the commode when we began, but faded rapidly and leaned heavily to her right when we were finished.  All things considered, clean up went well.  I got her into bed, where she seemed to be more comfortable.  I applied her eye drops easily and said good night to her.  Dr. Vesper was preparing to shower when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  They both enjoyed ice cream (Lactaid) for dessert.