Finally Vickie was back to her alert and witty self after nearly a week of lethargy. Now to see if the cycle repeats itself as it has been doing for some time now.

Vickie's condition improved today. She was alert and had a good appetite again.

Vickie continues to be very quiet. The Dr. is changing some of her medications in an attempt to discover what might be causing the problem.

Vickie continues to be listless. Sleeping most of the time. Most of her nourishment and medication is being supplied thru her stomach tube.

Vickie was quiet today after a very difficult twenty four hours. Very tired and not much of an appetite.

The nausea returned early this morning and is still a problem late into the night. She has been without nourishment and her medications all day. This is probably the longest duration so far.

Vickie made it thru another day without any serious problems.
We followed her Dr.'s suggestion and gave her a small glass of wine for dinner. After more than ten months without any beverages with alcohol Vickie didn't like the taste, and decided not to drink any.

Vickie slept late this morning, she didn't let the time change bother her. She was very much like her old self today, quick with the quirky comments and jokes.
We have added a new medication, maybe it can help with some of the lingering problems.

Vickie was able to resume her normal activities with few side effects from yesterday.

Another bout with the troublesome nausea today. The episodes are becoming more frequent and more severe, with no known cause.

Vickie was in good form for her Dr. appointment today. She was able to participate in the conversation concerning her situation. There will be some adjustments in her medicines as we fine tune for her recovery and some of the ongoing problems. She really brightened up when the Dr. said she could have a glass of red wine with her dinner. He suggested Merlot, her favorite.

Vickie had a good visit with one of her 2 year old grandsons this evening. They were glad to see one another.
Circumstance has prevented Vickie from having pleasant visits with her grandchildren.

Vickie rested much of the day after her difficult night. She was in a good mood this evening and she had a good appetite.

Severe and repeated bouts of nausea this evening ruined what had been a very good day for Vickie.

Vickie skipped her usual naps so she could be alert for the visiting nurse and family today.

Vickie's day was rather quiet.

An uneventful day for Vickie, without any serious problems.

Vickie slept more than usual today, but still managed to do a good job with the therapist that visited.

The persistent nausea problem returned early in the morning to disrupt Vickie's day. As usual, she seemed to recover later in the day.

Vickie has been back in her home for a month now. We are all adapting to this new situation quite well. We are constantly making minor adjustments as her condition evolves. Vickie's steady improvement offers the hope that all these changes might be unnecessary some day.

It was a pleasant and possibly a little boring of a day for Vickie.

Other than one more of her hit and run nausea episodes early in the morning Vickie had a good day.

Vickie had a good day. No problems that couldn't be handled.

The visiting nurse came by to check on Vickie today. All signs were good.

Vickie had a visit from the speech therapist this morning. The therapist wanted to evaluate Vickie's ability to eat regular food during breakfast. We believe she didn't think Vickie could eat like a normal person. Therapist suggestion: keep doing what you are doing now.

Today is the beginning of the tenth month of Vickie's recovery. It's sometimes hard to grasp the changes she has gone thru since last June. She is slowly but steadily regaining her old self back. She shows her sense of humor and wit constantly.

Just like last week, whatever ailed Vickie Monday, was gone today. She has resumed her normal activity level.

Vickie's nausea and fever returned this morning. We'll wait to see if it continues tomorrow before making any decisions on treatment.

A pleasant day for Vickie. She had her Dairy Queen hamburger brought by a sister, at the table in her backyard for lunch.
At the evening meal, a birthday dinner with family guests, Vickie insisted on putting the portions on her plate herself. She really enjoyed the chocolate pie.
All of today's entry's are about meals since there were no negative events to report.

Vickie made in thru the entire day without her usual nap. She spent most of the afternoon and evening in a lift chair she received from a friend this morning. She has a nice wheelchair but it becomes uncomfortable after sitting in it for hours at a time.
Vickie had a visit from the traveling nurse right at noon, so her attention was on getting lunch and not so much on the nurse's questions. Vickie still has a healthy appetite.

Whatever it was that affected Vickie thursday, left as quickly as it came on.
She was able to resume her normal activities today.

Just when everything seems to be going well, it all goes bad again. Vickie woke up with a severe case of nausea this morning. She slept most of the day combating a fever. We're not sure of the cause yet. If the situation continues, tests will need to be done to determine a treatment.

Vickie's situation seems to be stabilized in that there are no new serious problems. She continues her slow but steady improvement.

Vickie slept thru most of the visit with the nurse and occupational therapist that came to see her today. It's difficult to coordinate the visits around Vickie's nap time.
Vickie had dinner on the deck before the sun went down this evening.

Another quiet day. Vickie was attended by her new, but knowledgeable caregiver. She continues with her improvement. Vickie is experiencing feeling in both her left arm and leg now. We know this because she tells us about the pain she feels in them when they are moved.

Vickie enjoyed the warm sunny afternoon at the home of her niece for a backyard picnic.
It was the first of many outings she will have. Transporting her is still a logistical problem but one that we will deal with.

Vickie spent some time on the deck overlooking her back yard. Then she dozed off in the warm afternoon sun.
She enjoyed a Chinese food dinner with family.

Another quiet day for Vickie, although she didn't sleep nearly as much as the day before.

Vickie's left foot is still a concern, we are keeping it elevated to help the swelling go down.
The new Dr. is still adjusting her meds. Vickie slept most of the day, probably due to some new medication she is getting for pain reduction when we move her. The new Dr. has actually called twice this week to check on Vickie, something totally unheard of these days.

The most pressing problem for Vickie now is some swelling in her left foot. It's a long way from the problems we were used to dealing with.
Vickie spent the first day with a hired caregiver since she left RIO. The situation isn't ideal but it should improve.

There were no serious problems today.

Vickie made her first visit to her new dr. this morning. Since the anti-motionsickness patch was removed several weeks ago she has traveled without problems. The removal of the patch also seems to have helped her cognitive ability.

Due to the unseasonable warm sunny weather, Vickie was able to supervise some wheelchair ramp touchup work and some yard work from the deck over her back yard.

Vickie's remarkable progress continues. So far, no new medical problems to set her back.

Vickie was visited by the occupational therapist and the VNA nurse that will be working with her at home. They came to do their preliminary evaluation and to determine what the course of treatment will be.

No problems today.
We are not sure if it's the environment or some new medication, but Vickie's cognitive ability seems to be getting noticeably better each day.

Vickie has now been in her home for a full day. We are all working to adjust to our new situation and schedule.
Vickie's appetite has returned so she won't need tube feeding for now. It will still take a lot of perseverance and some mechanical devices to deal with all of Vickie's needs.
If she can avoid the virus that seems to be everywhere now, she will do fine.

After morning therapy sessions Vickie had her last lunch at RIO. She made the trip home without problem, where she will now live barring any new medical emergency.
Providing around the clock care for Vickie may prove to be a daunting task, but we are determined to try our best, considering the alternative choice.

No holiday for Vickie, some serious therapy today. Now that she is feeling better, the therapy sessions are more rigorous, again pushing her limits to increase her ability to resume a more normal life.

Vickie returned to her room at RIO this evening, again making the trip without problems.
The primary reason for the overnight stay at her home was to determine Vickie's caregivers ability to properly care for her without professional help and facilities.

This afternoon, Vickie was in her home for the first time since the middle of last June. She made the trip without incident and without using any medication for motion sickness. After a mini tour of the house and a bowl of soup, she took a long nap. Pizza and chocolate creme pie at her own dining table along with good conversation with family were the high points of the evening for everyone present.
Tomorrow she returns to RIO for more therapy and an evaluation of her care givers performance.

Vickie had therapy today that was a little more challenging. She is showing noticeable improvement on the infection that's kept her down this last week.

Vickie resumed her RIO therapy only with fewer sessions during the day. She seems to be feeling better and is getting back to her regular self.

Vickie begins the ninth month of her recovery back in her RIO room. She was brought down late in the afternoon, just in time for dinner. She didn't have much of an appetite so she will receive nourishment thru the tube. The heavy congestion persists, but seems to be less bothersome.

Vickie is showing some improvement over the pneumonia. She was able to be in her wheel chair for a while today and feed herself. She could possibly return to the RIO floor tomorrow.

Vickie is still in a room on the 4th floor. She is still on oxygen due to the severe congestion she is experiencing.

Vickie is still at the medical floor of the hospital. She was feeling a little better this evening, although she still has serious congestion and is very tired. If the progress continues she might return to RIO Monday.

Everything changed today. Vickie became very sick early in the morning. Nausea, fever and respiratory difficulties caused all plans to be canceled. She was transferred to a medical room this evening for treatment. The tentative diagnosis is pneumonia again. Anti-biotics and oxygen are being administered. Vickie slept most of the day.

Vickie responded to her therapy well today. She is now receiving a new medication that is supposed to help her cognitive ability.
We will be doing around the clock care giver training this weekend so Vickie won't be able to have any visitors at RIO Saturday or Sunday.

The therapy is still ongoing. Vickie is now being pushed beyond her comfort zone. At times Vickie is almost terrified as she is urged to do tasks she hasn't been asked to do before. Sitting on the edge of her bed is a frightening event for her. Even though it's difficult, it's a necessary part of the recovery process.

Preparations are continuing for Vickie's return home sometime later next week.
Vickie is still progressing. She still has her good attitude from before.

At the weekly meeting this morning the RIO staff expressed their concern about our ability to care for Vickie in her home. Apparently they don't realize how determined we are to not have her return to a nursing facility.

Vickie's improvement continues.
Since she has been at RIO there have been no medical problems.

Vickie had therapy sessions in the morning and then had the rest of the day to goof off. She is eating her meals [ the food quality is somewhat better than Rest Harbor's] and she is paying attention to her environment.

Even the RIO staff is remarking about the improvement in Vickie's behavior in the few days she has been with them. She is more alert and cognizant than she has been since June 16th.

The motion sickness patch is off, maybe a coincidence but Vickie seemed more alert and aware today. She participated in vigorous therapy and had a good appetite.

Vickie was tired and ready for bed early in the evening after the full day of therapy.
The therapy includes training Vickie's care givers safe methods for moving her when she goes home.

Vickie had a full schedule of therapy sessions today.

Vickie made it through her second day at RIO without any serious problems.
The staff believes they can work with Vickie to improve her ability to help with her basic needs. They will just have two weeks to accomplish their goal.
We have begun modifying Vickie's home to accommodate her when she comes home to stay. A tilt type wheel chair has been purchased and a donated bed will arrive this week. A wheel chair ramp is now under construction.

Vickie was transported to the R.I.O. at Good Sam. this morning without problem. She spent the rest of the day getting to know the people who will be working with her while they evaluated Vickie's condition.
The task of helping Vickie become more self sufficient and less dependent on others for her most basic care and needs is the number one priority. It would be best if visitors arrived after 5 pm so as not to interfere with the more intense therapy.

Unless there is a sudden setback Vickie will not be at Rest Harbor after Monday morning. R.I.O. is where she will be for at least one week participating in a therapy regimen that will help her make the transition to going home.

Another day without serious problems. Vickie's appetite has returned, so no more meals using the stomach tube.
Vickie is becoming more aware of her environment each day now. She sometimes notices and makes remarks about what's on the television or things on the wall.

Vickie was in good form today. Ate her meals[almost all]and interacted well with her visitors.
While the RIO situation has been scaled back from the original plan, everyone is still excited about next week.

The patch was replaced and there was no repeat of the nausea from last night. Vickie had a good day although she was a little more sleepy than normal, probably one of the side effects of the anti-nausea medication she was given. As usual, the cure for one problem causes another.

A pleasant day for Vickie. She resumed eating her own meals and lost the feeding tube for now.
When she was being transferred back to bed this evening the nausea returned. The last patch has been off for several days, a possible related cause.
Barring any serious setbacks R.I.O. is on for next week. It will be an abbreviated version due to the same $$$$ issues that have always been there.

For reasons unknown Vickie seems to have lost her appetite. She is now dependent on tube feeding for nourishment. We don't know if this is a phase or if there is a problem that's not apparent. Otherwise she appears to be well.

Vickie had a good day, one without any new or serious problems.

Vickie is eating more of her meals but not enough to avoid the tube feeding procedure.
The rash and the pneumonia seem to be clearing up, chalk another one up for modern pharmaceuticals.
Vickie was in a good mood today, a little entertaining with her off-the-wall comments.

Vickie was awake and fairly alert today. She ate a portion of her meals and interacted with visitors well. The congestion persists but the rash is going away.
She is definitely able to move and feel her left leg.

Vickie slept much of the time today. She was given benadryl for the severe rash, benadryl can cause drowsiness.
Vickie didn't have much of an appetite this evening so the tube feeding will continue.
Staff was reprimanded by the supervisor today for lack of care regarding the infection Vickie is experiencing. We'll see if there is any positive change.

We reluctantly brought Vickie back to Rest Harbor this afternoon. She didn't show any negative effects from the trip.
We were informed earlier today that Vickie couldn't go to R.I.O. due to lack of bed space.
Vickie still has a lot of congestion from the pneumonia, she also has a serious rash, probably from the anti-biotic.
She didn't have any appetite this evening so she will be tube fed.

Vickie was feeling a little better today. This evening she had a small amount of food.
She still has a serious congestion problem, but it appears to be under control.
Vickie will probably be discharged from Mt. Hood tomorrow if there are no further problems.

While Vickie is still enduring the annoying side effects of the anti-biotics, she seems to be improving. She is not eating now, but is receiving nourishment thru IV and tube feeding. Tomorrow she may resume with regular food if the progress continues.
She is having some therapy at Mt. Hood, it's a little different from what was available at Rest Harbor. It was reported that she moved her left leg on command today, that would be remarkable.

Vickie was feeling better today despite some unpleasant side effects from the medication. She will remain at Mt Hood Med center at least one more day.
She had a new patch put on this afternoon so she was a chatty cathy this evening, wide awake when everyone else wanted to get some sleep.

Vickie was transported by ambulance after noon to Mt. Hood Med. Center to be treated for a serious case of pneumonia. She was admitted as an inpatient and she will be there at least one more day. They will administer a powerful anti-biotic and she is on oxygen.
No one said it would be easy.

A lab test determined Vickie is suffering from a urinary infection. Staff was alerted to the possibility by an experienced aide a week ago but they disregarded the suggestion.
Vickie was started on anti-biotics this morning and she seems to be responding positively today.

After midnight things took a turn for the worse. Vickie has experienced severe nausea for nearly 24 hours. She has not been able to retain any nourishment or fluids. She has been sleeping almost constantly. This evening she had a temperature of 101 degrees.
It appears there might be a connection between the a-ms patch being removed and the nausea, but we can't be sure yet.

Just another day without any significant problems for Vickie.

The trip to the R.I.O. evaluation went well for Vickie despite a transportation snafu.
The evaluation itself is the cause of cautious optimism that Vickie's situation will take a significant turn for the better soon.
We now can start thinking about the real possibility of Vickie returning to her home in the near future.

The staff has decided Vickie has lost too much weight, so they will begin tube feeding again. They refuse to eat the same food that is served to her, but they can't understand why she doesn't finish her meals.

The staff put a new anti-motion sickness patch on Vickie today. It's to insure a trouble free trip to Good Sam on Wednesday. She seemed a little anxious tonight, possibly caused by the patch medication.

Today, Vickie got her first professional hairtrim since early summer. She likes it, even though it's quite different from the pre-June 16th look.

At last, a day without any problems. Vickie made it thru breakfast, her Saturday bath, both meals and several transfers without the troublesome nausea reccuring.

Transferring from her bed to her chair, or back to bed ,causes Vickie bouts of nausea. This is new problem, possibly the anti-carsickness patch is the culprit.
The patch is necessary, Vickie will travel again to Good Sam next week for the important R.I.O. evaluation.

Despite a minor medical problem probably caused by a staff miscue, Vickie was able to eat a lite dinner and maintain her good attitude thru it all.

Now that Vickie is eating normal food and feeding herself, she is getting home cooked meals smuggled in occasionally. She seems to prefer them to the institutional fare.
She's even asking for Burgerville now[no onions, sauce with the french fries].

Vickie had inhouse therapy this morning, she did well. This evening she was talkative and somewhat clever with her quips. The increased level of interaction with others is quite noticable.

Vickie made the trip to Good Sam without any difficulties. The not so good news ,the evaluation didn't happen due to a miscommunication concerning the time. The appointment has been rescheduled to next week.

Two days into 2005 and no problems.
The evening shift nurse, who returned from a three day break said she thought Vickie's eyes were tracking noticeably better than they were before the holiday weekend.
R.I.O. evaluation tomorrow, hopefully it will be a positive experience for Vickie.

The new year started fine for Vickie. She continues her slow but steady improvement.