Another quiet day for Vickie. A sister stayed with her during the afternoon and provided an early dinner which Vickie ate, something she hasn't done for several days.

There was no change in Vickie's condition today. A very lite appetite and little attentiveness.

A visit from a close friend usually perks Vickie up, but not today,she just couldn't stay awake.
Later Vickie spent the afternoon at a sister's and ate some dinner.

Vickie slept more today than she usually does. Some appetite, but still not back to where she was before the last surgery.

Vickie seems to be coming out of the subdued state she has been in since returning home from her latest surgery. She is growing more alert and is slowly regaining her appetite.

Vickie remains lethargic and unable to eat on her own.

No progress today for Vickie, still refusing to eat and very quiet.

Vickie's condition remains unchanged. She kept her appointment with her surgeon this morning, he thinks her surgery is healing properly.
She continues to not have an appetite, not sure of the reason.

Vickie is still quiet and doen't seem to have her appetite back. No apparent reason.

Aside from a small increase in appetite Vickie's condition remains the same.

Vickie slept most of the day, very listless and still no appetite. Receiving nourishment and liquids thru her PEG tube.

Vickie had a quiet day. She is still experiencing some discomfort. When she receives medication for pain she becomes very drowsy.

Vickie had an uneventful day. A sister visited and prepared the dinner she brought.
Vickie's appetite is returning.

Vickie returned to her home this evening. She made the trip without any problems. She is very tired and sleeps a lot.
The incision from the surgery will take several more weeks to heal and will require extra attention from her caregivers to prevent further complications.

Vickie will probably leave LEH within two or three days. She still needs extra care and medication.

Vickie was quiet today. Not much energy or enthusiasm. Still on the IV for fluids.
The so-called social worker is anxious to send her to a SNF. Vickie has used up her allotted time.

Vickie is still at LEH. She is doing a little better but not good enough to return home just yet. It will be a day by day decision.

Vickie was more alert today. She was able to sit up to eat and drink a little. She talks some, but still expresses feeling some pain.
A minor infection is the probable cause of a higher than normal temperature.
No date has been set for her discharge from LEH.

There are no significant changes is Vickie's condition today. She spends much of the day sleeping.

Vickie is showing some improvement today. She was able to sit up on the side of her bed for a short time to drink a small amount of juice this evening.
She still experiences pain from the surgery and doesn’t tolerate the IV very well.
On the positive side, there does not seem to be any sign of infection or breathing problems.

Vickie seems to be recovering from her surgery of yesterday. She is still experiencing some pain and discomfort. She is on the IV and will be for several more days.

Vickie’s surgery went well this afternoon without any unexpected complications or problems. She may be able to have visitors Wednesday evening if her progress continues.

Vickie will be returning to LEH tomorrow morning for reconstructive surgery. She will probably stay there the rest of the week.
Preparation for the procedure, starting this morning made the day unpleasant and somewhat discomforting. No dinner this evening or breakfast Tuesday. Not a happy camper.

Vickie went out with a sister this afternoon and had dinner later before returning home.
Vickie has a busy week coming up so she needed some special time away from home.

Vickie’s all afternoon birthday event went well with family and friends dropping in. Relatives Vickie had not seen in some time were able to visit for a while.

Friday, dinner at home for a change. Getting rested for Saturday.
Tommorrow there will be birthday cake for Vickie.

Another day without problems except we ran out of Vickie's fruit juice.

A sister brought Vickie to her home for dinner this evening. Vickie rarely has her evening meal at home any more.

Dinner at a sister’s, some TV on the new wide screen HD set and then back home finished Vickie’s pleasant day.

Vickie day was routine, without any problems, which is a good thing.

Sisters and Vickie attended an afternoon showing of a movie at a theater today. Later they met with still another sister for dinner at a local restaurant.

Saturday afternoon and evening Vickie visited at a sister’s before returning home.

After a routine day Vickie went out for Chinese dinner, almond chicken.

Vickie had another pleasant day.

Vickie spent another evening at a sister’s, returning home after dinner.

Just another regular day for Vickie.

A visit by a former colleague from MHMC brightened Vickie’s afternoon. She always welcomes guests, especially if they bring cheesecake.

As usual for a Sunday, Vickie spent the afternoon at a sister’s and had dinner there. She has developed quite an appetite now, a long way from the previous times when meals were an on again –off again situation.

Vickie traveled across the river to have a nice dinner at the home of some friends. Now that she is able to assist, albeit in a small way, the transfer from one seat to another, she was able to make the trip sitting in the passenger seat of a regular vehicle rather than sitting in her wheelchair in the magic bus.

Vickie spent the late afternoon and evening at a sister's before returning home.

Vickie had another pleasant day.

Vickie traveled to LGS to keep an appointment with her Neurosurgeon this afternoon. A scan was also done to check for unseen problems. None were found.

Vickie had dinner at a sister’s today. She doesn’t spend many evenings at home since she has been feeling better.

A good day for Vickie. A sister visited this afternoon and made dinner for her.

Late morning, Vickie enjoyed a visit from her oldest grandson. She then spent the afternoon and had dinner at a sister’s home. Still without problems.

Another pleasant day for Vickie, with her sister during the afternoon and a quiet evening at home.

Vickie spent the evening with a sister. A dinner at the local Elmer’s was an added treat.

Fortunately we have reached a point where there is little to note as far as Vickie’s situation is concerned. Her days are routine now without any new complications.

Just another day without any new problems for Vickie.
After a scheduled Dr. appointment Vickie had dinner out with a sister.

Vickie kept her appointment with her abdominal surgeon this morning at LEH. She will have surgery in October to reconnect her colon.
After the Dr. appointment, Vickie paid an impromptu visit to some of her former coworkers at LEH. They were glad to see her and to see that she was doing much better now than she was when they last saw her.
This evening Vickie had dinner at a sister’s; Chinese take-out this time, no home cooked meals tonight.

Lab tests determined that Vickie’s illness Sunday evening was not caused by an infection. It may have been the result of a food borne problem. She showed no symptoms today and resumed eating her regular meals.

Vickie had a friend visit during the middle of the day and then spent the rest of the day at a sister's home.
Late in the evening she bacame ill for the first time since July. An infection unrelated to the previous one is a probable cause.

Vickie and sister had late lunch at the local Dairy Queen this afternoon. Later she entertained visitors for a while.

Vickie had another uneventful day. She has been home one month now and still no end in sight for her continuing improvement.

Vickie had dinner at a sister’s home this evening. She is still doing well.

Another what has become routine, day for Vickie. A total absence of problems and a slow improvement in her condition.

Vickie visited a sister’s and later a niece’s home this evening. Another free dinner.

No problems for Vickie today.

Vickie spent another afternoon visiting at a sister’s home. She finished her stay with dinner before returning home.

Vickie visited at sister’s home this afternoon and enjoyed being out. We are resuming having Vickie spend more time away from her home to keep her from becoming bored and to keep her active as possible, mentally and otherwise.

Vickie made it to the Dr’s late this afternoon for her pro-time test; the results were right where she needed to be.
A taco salad was Vickie’s choice for dinner tonight with plenty of chips and salsa.

The absence of serious problems leaves little to comment about.
Vickie is still improving slowly. Her appetite is increasing, as is her attention to what is going on around her.

Vickie enjoyed dinner at sister’s home this evening.

It’s now three weeks that Vickie has been in her home and six weeks since the last surgery. Her condition is still improving.

Vickie hosted a family holiday gathering today in her backyard.

One of the most significant changes in Vickie’s behavior is her increased appetite. She now eats almost as much as she did before her medical problems arose. The tube feeding is a thing of the past.
In the last few days her sleep pattern seems to have stabilized to a more normal routine. It seems she is back on the road to recovery at last, given the short period of time everything has turned around.

Vickie slept in this morning. After lunch she supervised the yard work for several hours. This evening she entertained visitors before calling it a day.

After an uneventful day, Vickie went out for Chinese food (cashew chicken).

Vickie slept more today than usual, maybe she was tired from her activities yesterday. Otherwise she had a pleasant day.

Vickie kept her appointment with her Dr. today. Everything seems to be under control, so no significant changes in her medication or treatment. This is the first time she has traveled since returning home two weeks ago. She made the trip without any problems.

An enchilada and a piece of apple pie were on Vickie’s menu for dinner tonight. The change in her behavior from before the last hospitalization is almost startling.

It was a regular day for Vickie, no new problems. She is eating more quantity and will rely less on the tube feeding as she progresses.

Vickie spent a little time outside in the warm sun this afternoon. She had her first shower in over a month this evening. She is adjusting back to the situation she was at before the last crisis, only without the constant problems that plagued her then.

Vickie ate two small meals while sitting in her wheelchair today. It’s the first time she has been out of her room since she returned home twelve days ago.

Vickie’s pleasant day was capped off with a visit from her two youngest grandsons.
Still no new problems. It seems now that some of the recovery we were hoping for over the last year, could still happen.

Vickie stood up next to her bed for a short time this afternoon with plenty of assistance of course. This weekend after some more practice sitting up and standing, she will use her wheelchair briefly. We also intend to begin giving her more opportunities to eat regular food on a limited basis.

The therapist that can give the ok for Vickie to resume eating wants her to have more extensive tests to determine her ability to swallow. We probably will forego such tests and gradually begin to give Vickie food as long as it doesn’t appear to create a problem.

Vickie has been home one week now and it’s been four weeks since she was hospitalized the last time. The constant nausea episodes have not returned at all. She has a much more relaxed mood now and she is much more aware and responsive.
Our short term goal is to have Vickie eating normally and using her wheelchair so she can get out to experience life again.

We are getting anxious to have Vickie eating and not spending all of her time in bed. The therapists and Dr. will have to determine when she is ready to advance. She seems to be ready now.

Three sisters took turns caring for Vickie today. She was in a good mood for most of the day.

Breaking with the Dr.’s instructions, Vickie had a small snack and a small amount of juice today. She is supposed to be fed with the pump and tube only, but she said she was hungry and thirsty. Eating or drinking doesn’t seem to be a problem for her.

Vickie has been home for three days now without any setbacks.
She is still bedridden due to the extensive surgery of three weeks ago.
Her mental abilities are as good or better than they were before the latest hospitalization.

Vickie had another quiet day with still no new problems.
Visiting nurse and a therapist are seeing Vickie at home to help with her care.

Vickie had a sleepless night and was very quiet during her first day at home. We are still adjusting to her new feeding procedure and her different medication and care regimen. So far, none of the nausea problems that plagued her before have reoccurred.

Vickie was transported back to her home this evening.
The VNA helped with the new pump feeding system, similar to the type used in the hospital and other chores that are new to us.
Vickie seems content and relaxed. She was away from her home for three weeks.

Vickie slept much of the day. She seems to be back to her old schedule of staying awake at night and sleeping during the day.
Vickie will probably return home tomorrow evening if there are no new issues.

Vickie was able to spend some time in the courtyard this afternoon; she thought it was warm out. She is getting bored and says she wants to leave.

Vickie slept much of the day and was otherwise very quiet.
There were no new developments or problems

Despite what many believe, the medical system does not always operate like a finely tuned machine. Vickie will remain at LEH until Monday. There were no new problems with Vickie, just poor communication between staff.
Whether Vickie returns to Rest Harbor is in question now. Unless some major financial issues are resolved, it’s possible she will go to another facility.

The overseers at Emanuel have determined that Vickie has stayed at their center long enough. She is to be discharged tomorrow as soon as a skilled nursing facility is able to accept her. She will probably return to Rest Harbor where she spent the last part of 2004.
As a little bit of irony, it was one year ago today Vickie arrived at Rest Harbor. It won’t be the same this time.
As of today all of the anti-biotics ended. She is still being fed with the tube.

Again just when we think we have everything figured out, something unexpected happens. Vickie was tentatively scheduled to have her temporary shunt replaced with a more permanent one today. The Dr. ordered a CAT scan this afternoon to ensure everything was as it should be. The test showed, in the Dr.’s opinion, Vickie didn’t need the shunt; the natural drainage system was working fine.
The importance of this turn of events can’t be stressed enough. Since it’s quite possible the shunt that was inserted last summer was the cause of Vickie’s constant nausea problem.

Vickie was much brighter today, more talkative and alert to her environment.
Possibly, the shunt replacement procedure could be tomorrow.

Sleepy at times and somewhat agitated at other times bests describes Vickie’s day.
Still no definite date for the shunt procedure.

Another quiet day. Vickie is still experiencing some discomfort from her surgery. The tube feeding is going well.
Sometime this week, the shunt replacement is expected.

No significant changes for Vickie today. Still using the tube feeding. She spent much of the day watching TV.

A quiet day for Vickie. She no longer receives nourishment by IV. All feeding is thru her tube. Still not allowed to eat normal.
She has new foot splints to prevent bedsores on her feet, a new problem.

Vickie was alert and responsive today. She was able to sit up in a special hospital chair for half an hour this morning.
The tube feeding is doing better now. Hopefully she will be allowed to feed herself soon.

Vickie seems to be recovering from her ordeal. This evening she watched TV from her bed and made comments on the news. She is able to talk a little so we know we haven’t lost anything.
The medical issues are still unresolved, but that is subject to change as her condition stabilizes. Next week will be the most important since that is when the shunt replacement is tentatively scheduled. We haven’t heard from the financial overlords yet, but we know they are hovering impatiently.

Vickie was able to sleep well today, something that has eluded her during this latest hospitalization. The tube feeding has started and so far no negative reactions. When she was awake we had glimpses of her old self.

Vickie continues with pain medication. She is being fed thru the PEG tube, at a slow rate to see if she can tolerate it.
She is experiencing several minor complications due to inactivity and confinement to the bed.
Vickie still has lung congestion, when she tries to cough; it causes discomfort in the area affected by the surgery.