4:00-7:00     Rose, Dr. Vesper, and CJ were in the living area when I arrived.  CJ and I discussed the day’s events, fed the dog, then took Rose to the bathroom for her afternoon toileting.  Rose leaned heavily to her left, and CJ did well making necessary adjustments with the lift while being mindful of Rose.  Rose’s Depends was wet, necessitating a change, and she had a small BM while seated.  She seemed somewhat uncomfortable, but that might have been due to some mild constipation.  CJ also noted a small dry spot on the top of Rose’s left buttock near the tailbone and was concerned that it was the beginning of a bed sore.  After cleaning her, we applied some barrier cream to the area.  I later found a triple antibiotic cream which I applied after her bedtime toileting.  We got Rose back to the living room and CJ turned on music, which Rose really enjoyed.  Dr. Vesper left for church shortly after.  CJ stated she was having trouble posting to the blog, so we tried to access it from the I-pad.  The battery was dead and charger not working.  She left for the day after and planned to try again from home.   After that I set the table, began dinner prep, and joined Rose in the living room for an episode of her favorite sitcom.  She was relaxed and animated, though not particularly chatty.

7:00-9:00     Dr. Vesper was very late from church, so Rose and I began dinner without him.  It was nearly 8:00 when he joined us, and they both ate well.  Rose received Targretin at this time.  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.  They took their evening medications and I took Rose back for her night time toilette.  She was a bit more chatty while I washed her hands and faced, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  Her skin seems very dry overall, so I applied some lotion as well.  There was a moderate stool in her Depends which she completed while on the commode.  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  She was her usual gracious and loving self when I said goodnight.  Dr. Vesper was still up when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Salad, chicken cordon bleu, wild rice, and green beans.  Rose drank Kefir milk and Doctor had diet cherry 7up.  She had ice cream for dessert, but he declined.

5:00-7:00     Rose, Dr. Vesper, and Mossy were in the living area when I arrived.  Mossy brought me up to speed quickly on the day’s events before leaving as she had a family emergency to attend.  I chatted with Rose and Doctor for a few minutes, checked the bathroom, took Doctor’s dinner orders, then set the table in anticipation for CJ’s arrival for training.  She arrived early (around 5:25) and we got to work right away.  Dr. Vesper decided to take a quick nap, so we brought Rose into the kitchen with us to help.  We had dinner on the table and Rose and Doctor were seated and eating by 6:35.  CJ fed Rose and tended to her while I cleaned up.  Rose did receive Targretin with her meal.  We all had good conversation and enjoyed getting to know CJ.  Rose spoke little, but was alert, animated, and occasionally joined in our laughter.

7:00-9:00     After dinner, Rose and Dr. Vesper returned to the living room to watch TV.  Kitchen cleanup was nearly complete, so CJ and I moved on to the remainder of the night time routine.  I showed her how to prepare the evening and next morning’s medications, as well as the breakfast items.  We did make sure Rose and Doctor took their medicines (including 1/2 Xanax with Rose’s) before taking Rose back for her evening toilette.  I showed CJ my approach beginning with washing Rose’s face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  CJ actually brushed Rose’s teeth while I offered a couple of pointers.  At first CJ was going to operate the lift and get Rose on the commode, but instead elected to observe my approach.  Rose’s upper body was rigid as usual, but she tolerated my demo like a trooper.  Her Depends contained a moderate stool which she completed while on the commode.  Clean up went well, we got her to bed, and applied her eye drops easily.  Dr. Vesper was in the living room watching TV when we said good night to him.  He promised to lock the front door (I checked all the others earlier) and set the security system.

Dinner:     Salad, chicken cordon bleu, wild rice, and glazed carrots.  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both enjoyed ice cream for dessert (Lactaid for Doctor).

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Dr. Vesper were in the living room while Mossy was in the kitchen finishing a training session with our new caregiver, C.J.  With Mossy’s guidance, C.J. and I performed a two person transfer taking Rose from her recliner to her wheelchair.  C.J. seemed confident and Rose was comfortable during the transfer.  We all chatted briefly before she left for the day.  Stephanie arrived to perform some maintenance on the pool and Mossy spent a few more minutes updating me on the day’s events before leaving.  Dr. Vesper was in and out working in the yard while Rose supervised me setting the table and beginning dinner prep. I also took out the garbage.   She and Doctor were seated and eating by 7:00.  Rose received Targretin at this time.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of the evening ran in typical fashion.  Rose and Dr. Vesper both had great appetites, though Rose was more quiet than usual.  After dinner, Doctor did a little more yard work while Rose and I listened to the radio and cleaned the kitchen.  I also set out breakfast items and morning medications.  When he came back in, Doctor developed a nagging cough, but not as severe as last night.  He took a puff of the albuterol inhaler only, but nothing else.  Before taking Rose back for her evening toilette, they both received their night time medications including prednisone for Dr. Vesper and 1/2 Xanax for Rose.  While in the bathroom, I washed Rose’s hands and face, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  Her Depends were wet and contained a moderate stool.  She produced a large BM while on the commode.  When we were finished, I took her to bed, applied her eye drops easily, and was the lucky recipient of a big good night kiss.  Dr. Vesper was in the living room watching TV when I said good night to him.

Dinner:     Lemon pepper tilapia, wild rice, peas, and Jello salad.  Rose drank kefir milk and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  For dessert, Rose had ice cream and Doctor had key lime pie.

Visitors:     Stephanie

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose was in the bathroom with Roberta finishing her 4:30 toileting.  Roberta reported to me that Rose was having some diarrhea, but had an otherwise good day.  Dr. Vesper was working outside on the tractor and did not come in until dinner time.  Unfortunately, I did not see the previous blog and did not urge him to stop.  I set the table, emptied the dishwasher, readied the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine, ran the vacuum, and began dinner prep.  Dr. Vesper came in shortly after 6:00.  The three of us watched the Belmont Stakes as dinner finished cooking.  Rose smiled and cheered with us, but was otherwise quiet.

7:00-9:00     Rose and Doctor were seated and eating by 7:00 with both enjoying hearty appetites.  Rose was leaning to her right, but was very alert and somewhat chatty.  She received Targretin at this time.  After dinner, they returned to the living room to watch television while I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  Dr. Vesper developed a severe cough and asked for his prednisone.  Drinking water wasn’t helping, and I offered cough medicine, which he refused.  The coughing became worse, and I convinced him to use his inhalers (albuterol and symbicort).  Things improved considerably, but he still had some light coughing and asked for the cough medicine.  He took one teaspoon at 8:30, and I left him a reminder note as to the time it was taken in case he woke up coughing.  Rose’s evening toilette was typical beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  She was very rigid while changing her clothes and I had some difficulty getting her on the commode comfortably.  She leaned heavily to the right and back.  Her Depends was wet, and she produced no stool or urine while seated.  She appeared much more comfortable when I got her to bed and I applied her eye drops easily.  She thanked me as I said good night to her .  I fed the cat and towel dried Kemper, the swimmer.  Dr. Vesper was watching television when I said good night to him.  He looked and sounded much more comfortable.  They both received their night time medications at bedtime.

Dinner:     Crab cakes, sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli, and jello salad.  Rose drank Kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream (Lactaid for Doctor) for desert.

5:00-7:00     Rose and Mossy were in the living room when I arrived.  As usual, Mossy brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  Other than cleaning up after Kemper, Rose and I enjoyed another quiet late afternoon until Dr. Vesper arrived home from his trip.  He called when he was on the way, so I was able to have dinner ready for him when he arrived.  He and Rose (and Kemper) were obviously happy to be together again!  They were seated and eating by 7:00 with both enjoying hearty appetites.  Rose received Targretin at this time.

7:00-9:00     The remainder of the shift ran in routine fashion.  After dinner, Dr. Vesper and Rose returned to the living room to relax and enjoy television.  I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and set out breakfast items and morning medications.  At bedtime, I gave them their evening medications, then took Rose for her night time toilette.  I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  Though not anxious, Rose’s arms were more rigid than usual, making dressing difficult.  She had a moderate stool in her Depends which was completed while on the commode.  As always, Rose was a trooper and cleanup was well tolerated.  I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  She was her usual chatty, pleasant self when I said good night to her.  Dr. Vesper was in the living room when I said good night to him.  I showed him where the key fob was earlier and reminded him to set the security system, but am unsure if he did.

Dinner:     Crab cakes, wild rice, peas, and jello salad.  Rose drank kefir milk, and Dr. Vesper had diet cherry 7up.  They both had ice cream for dessert (Lactaid and decaf with Doctor’s).

Visitors:     Mary and Stephanie.

5:00-7:00     Rose and Mossy were just finishing Rose’s 4:30 toileting when I arrived.  As always, Mossy brought me up to speed on the day’s events before leaving.  It was one of the more quiet afternoons with few chores and no additional company.  Rose was alert and focused whenever I sat with her, but would nod off immediately the moment I walked away.  I cleaned the ottoman and prepped a light dinner, then joined Rose in the living room to chat and watch television until dinner.

7:00-9:00     Rose enjoyed a hearty appetite and was generally focused throughout her meal.  She did receive Targretin at this time.  After dinner, she helped me clean the kitchen and wash the dishes.  Kemper had been outside and found a pool of water in which to bathe, but only required a towel dry.  At bedtime, I gave Rose her evening medication including 1/2 Xanax.  During her night time toilette, she seemed very fatigued and her arms were very rigid.  Otherwise, things ran in routine fashion beginning with me washing her face and hands, then brushing and flossing her teeth.  She had a moderate stool in her Depends which she completed while seated on the commode.  As always, she was very patient during clean up and thanked me numerous times.  Afterward, I got her to bed and applied her eye drops easily.  Mossy arrived just as I was tucking her in, and we both kissed her good night.   I clocked out then spent a few minutes chatting and enjoying a slice of pizza with Mossy.  Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity!

Dinner:     Rose had a salad, cheese stuffed shells with vodka marinara, and kefir milk.  She had a small scoop of ice cream for dessert.

5:00-7:00     When I arrived, Rose and Roberta were in the bathroom finishing Rose’s 4:30 toileting.  Roberta brought me up to speed on the day’s events and reviewed the operation of the security system with me.  After she left, I cleaned the glass doors, readied the bathroom for Rose’s night time routine, cleaned the microwave, and set the table.  We had some free time and enjoyed chatting and watching  television together before dinner.  Though somewhat lethargic at first, Rose was bright and chatty during the dinner hour and ate well.  She received Targretin with her meal.

7:00-9:00     After dinner, Rose joined me in the kitchen while I cleaned up and washed the dishes.  We then went outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather on the back porch with Kemper.  She was quieter, but appeared very comfortable while observing the beauty of Mother Nature.  When it was time, we began Rose’s evening toilette, which ran smoothly and in typical fashion.  She received her night time medicines, including 1/2 Xanax.  I took her to the bathroom where I washed her face and hands, then brushed and flossed her teeth.  Her arms were rigid, but she exhibited no anxiety otherwise.  Her Depends contained a moderate stool which she completed while seated on the commode.  Mossy arrived just as we were finishing.  We chatted while I got Rose to bed and tucked in for the evening.  I applied her eye drops easily and said good night to her.  Mossy and I continued our conversation in the kitchen for a bit longer before I said good night to her.

Dinner:     Rose had salad, meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, and kefir milk.  She also enjoyed a small scoop of ice cream for dessert.

Visitors/Worker:     Sandy Pope (yard work)