After examining her x-rays, the Dr. concluded that Vickie’s shoulder injury was not healing properly and might even be worse now. A new method for protecting her shoulder will have to be implemented.

Vickie had one more day without any improvement or change.

Another Dr. visit today resulted in more anti-biotic for Vickie. Also a follow up x-ray to determine if the shoulder injury is healing properly.

Vickie stayed at a sister’s Saturday night. Hopefully the different environment and routine were beneficial.

Vickie traveled to MHMC today for an EEG. Her neurologist is seeking a possible cause for her ongoing anxiety episodes. The test went well and we should know soon if it shows any connection with her problems.

The off and on behavior continues. Vickie’s anxiety episodes might be not as severe as they were previously or maybe we are adjusting to them.

Vickie had another typical day with no apparent changes.

A normal day for Vickie. At times she was very alert and aware, in between those times she experiences periods of considerable stress.

Vickie showed no sign of improvement today.

For the first time in over a year, Vickie was able to spend the night away from home somewhere other than a medical facility. She stayed overnight at a sister’s and all went well, at least as good as could be expected.

There were no changes in Vickie's condition today.

Another, what has become a typical day with off and on times. Vickie will eat one meal with gusto and then be unable to eat the next.

When Vickie is in a more tranquil mood she can be remarkably aware of what’s going on. She has asked some very pointed questions about her medical condition, something she has rarely done before.

Vickie seems to be in a coherent state about half of the time, the remainder of time she is very agitated and complains of pain constantly. The pain is not relieved by any pain medication. She often experiences the anxiety episodes in the early evening; consequently she ends up not eating her dinner.

Vickie showed no signs of improvement today.

Vickie was able to spend time at a sister’s home this afternoon.
There were no changes in her condition.

Vickie had a pleasant time visiting at a sister’s today.

The ever-present anxiety episodes seem to be a regular part of Vickie’s day now. They last for several hours, come and go without apparent reason. They are almost more stressful for the care givers than they are for her.

Vickie had some good moments today interspersed with times when she complains of pain constantly.

Vickie showed no signs of improvement today.

Vickie’s Dr. decided she will no longer take the prescription blood thinner. She is still taking anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic medication.

Another up and down day for Vickie. She ate her meals with little prompting.

Vickie’s status remains unchanged.

Despite the ongoing periods of distress, Vickie's day was good.

It was somewhat better today for Vickie. She ate her breakfast and dinner. She still had pain and anxiety episodes during the day.

Vickie was unable to eat her meals so she received nourishment thru the tube today.

Vickie was a little better today. Her pain episodes are for shorter time periods and are less intense.

Vickie’s condition didn’t seem to improve today. The shoulder pain is still apparent when she is moved.

Yesterday’s x-rays showed that Vickie has a fracture in her shoulder. To prevent further injury extra care will be needed when moving her.

Because of her repeated complaints of severe pain, Vickie had tests and x-ray work this afternoon. A drastic change will be made concerning her medications until a cause of the pain is determined.

Vickie's day started well. In the afternoon she lapsed into her anxiety mode and was not a very good guest at her sister's home.

One year ago today, Vickie returned to her home for a single night stay for the purpose of determining if her caregivers would be able to take care of her away from the hospital setting.

Another typical day for Vickie. Sometimes up and other times no so much.

Vickie was treated to a nice dinner at a friend’s home this evening. She was in a good mood during the meal.

Vickie had what has become a normal day with some lucid moments and times when things were not so good.

Vickie was in fairly good spirits today. On several occasions she lapsed in to her anxious state but not for long periods of time. Sometimes a distraction can bring her back around.

Vickie continues in her up and down condition. No noticeable improvement today.

For the last two weeks or so Vickie’s behavior has been, at best erratic. Times of unusual coherency interspersed with episodes of anxiety, in which she refuses to eat or relate appropriately to those around her. This morning followed the regular pattern in that she wasn’t able to eat breakfast. This evening Vickie was talkative, much more than normal, had a good dinner and made remarks that indicated she was beginning to be more aware of her situation.

Vickie’s appetite increased a little today but not enough to eliminate the tube feeding.
She spent the afternoon of both weekend days at her sisters’ homes.

Vickie continues to experience repeated agitation episodes. She is unable to feed herself enough to maintain proper nourishment; so she is being fed liquid food thru her gastro tube.

Vickie’s condition remains the same. There were no improvements today.

There were no significant changes in Vickie’s situation today.

Vickie’s condition changed very little today other than the negative episodes were less intense than in previous days.

Today Vickie seems to be cycling between an unusually high level of alertness and then to a subdued frenzy where she repeats the some complaints for hours at a time. The change in her behavior happens suddenly and without an apparent reason.

All went well with the tube procedure this afternoon. Vickie probably won’t notice much difference but her caregivers will find the new improved one makes it easier to dress and move her without the tube hanging out and getting in the way.
Vickie is having more times when she is very alert and responsive. She can regress at other times, which can be disheartening for those around her.

This afternoon Vickie went with one sister to visit another sister who had surgery last week.
In the morning Vickie will travel to MHMC to have her gastro tube replaced.
She has the same one since her original hospitalization in June of 2004. It is suspected to be a possible site of infection.

After spending the afternoon at a sister’s home Vickie was treated to a nice dinner. She was good company this evening.

This evening, for the first time in a while, Vickie was able to dine out with old friends.
The Dr. believes Vickie has another infection, so a new anti-biotic was prescribed. It never ends.

A good day for Vickie.

A visit from a grandson brightened Vickie’s day. A sister brought dinner this evening.

Vickie had another pleasant day. A sister brought her a nice dinner.
It’s been one year since Vickie left the skilled nursing facility for the last time. January 31st of 2005 she went to the R.I.O. for therapy, which was intended to ease the transition of returning home to stay. The therapy, like every other task she attempted, was disrupted by the ever-present nausea episodes. That problem has been entirely absent for six months. Some of the things Vickie did a year ago that we considered remarkable then are now ordinary everyday events not deemed noteworthy.

Vickie had a quiet day with no new or serious problems.

Spending the afternoon at another sister's home today Vickie hit the trifecta with her third free dinner in a row.

Vickie scored another free dinner after spending the afternoon with a sister.

Vickie visited a sister’s home this evening, a free dinner was included and all went well.

There was no noticeable change in Vickie’s situation today.

Just a fairly normal day for Vickie.

Vickie’s blood thinner level was back in the acceptable range, tests showed today. A possible reaction with a vitamin supplement might have been the cause of the previous dangerous reading.

Vickie paid a visit to a sister’s this afternoon, had dinner before returning home.

Vickie ate well today; she especially enjoyed her Mexican take-out dinner this evening.
No other changes or improvements were apparent.

There was no noticeable improvement in Vickie’s condition today.

The new medication Vickie started taking this week doesn’t seem to be helping. There also appears to be some minor negative side affects, but it might be coincidence. We will wait a few more days for the desired results to materialize before making a decision whether or not to continue with this drug.

Vickie was quiet today, not feeling her best.

There were no apparent changes in Vickie’s condition today, which is probably a good thing.

Vickie’s neuro-surgeon determined from scans taken today that the shunt inserted in December is now doing its job properly.
Vickie will begin taking a new medication to alleviate the neck pain she constantly complains of.
The appetite is still good.

Vickie’s appetite returned today as if nothing had happened. It’s possible the surprisingly elevated blood thinner status could be responsible. We might have a better idea after a few more days when the level drops below the preferred limit. Sometimes fixing one problem creates another.

Over the last few days, for reasons unknown Vickie’s appetite has gone away. She seems to be withdrawing again as she has in the past.

A routine test showed an unexpected problem. Vickie’s medication will be adjusted and she will be rechecked in a week.

Vickie’s condition was unchanged today.

Vickie seems to be staying at a constant level, without any serious problems.

No apparent changes in Vickie's behavior or condition today.

Vickie had a good day, still without any serious problems. The absence of the previous medical issues is starting to be taken for granted.

A visit from a close friend and then off to spend the afternoon with a sister made a good Sunday for Vickie.

Vickie spent the afternoon with a sister. Some quality TV watching and dinner before returning home. All is going as well as could be expected for now.

Sleeping, eating and listening to her music makes up Vickie’s day now.

Vickie is keeping with her regular routine. No serious problems to contend with for now.

Another normal day for Vickie.

Vickie’s appetite is still very good. The persistent infection is not causing symptoms that seriously hinder her behavior.

Vickie seems to have established a routine of having a good breakfast and snacking thru the afternoon until dinnertime. She spent the afternoon at a sister’s and wangled a free dinner before returning to her own home.

Vickie spent the afternoon at the home of friends and former neighbors for an annual New Years Day get-together. She ate her share of goodies and visited with friends who hadn’t seen her for quite a while.

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Vickie spent much of the day with her sisters, including a visit to one sister’s home during the afternoon. A takeout Mexican dinner was enjoyed later. No late New Years partying this year.

There was little noteworthy change in Vickie’s condition today.

The anti-biotic Vickie has been taking was changed today to see if it would give better results.

All signs now seem to point to better days ahead for Vickie. The infection is still present and being treated, but it doesn’t appear to be having much negative effect on her behavior.

Vickie continues to do well.

Great appetite today. Vickie had a pleasant day, good interaction and conversation. We may be on an upswing.

Vickie had a good day. Eating well and responding to others.

Although Vickie slept more than usual today, she was in good form for the yearly Christmas Eve get-together with family at sister’s home. Snacking and conversing, the interaction was hearting. It was quite a difference from last year when she made an impromptu visit, surprising her host, while leaving the nursing facility for her first social excursion.

Vickie started on another round of anti-biotic to treat the infection that won’t go away.
She is looking forward to Christmas eve and all that goes with it.

A small increase in her appetite was a good sign for Vickie today. Tests show that the infection she was being treated for is still present and could be part of her ongoing problem.

Again Vickie’s condition has changed very little. At times she seems much improved only to regress later without any apparent reason.

While Vickie’s cognitive ability and appetite have not returned to the mid-October level, she is still slowly improving. Meals are an off and on situation, interrelated to the pain she feels at times.

Vickie’s condition remained unchanged for today.

Vickie was a sleepy head today. She ate a light breakfast much later than usual.
The hair has been an issue since the last surgery, so daughter-in-law/hairdresser visited and gave Vickie a trim. We are back to the “punk look”, just when she was starting to look like her old self.

Vickie improved some today; she ate a good-sized breakfast and snacked during the day and into the evening. The neck pain seems to come and go with no consistent pattern or explaination

There was little improvement in Vickie’s condition today. While having a small meal or snack, she will experience pain in her head or neck and then refuse to eat any more. If the new shunt isn’t somehow related to this problem we are stymied for now.

Vickie gained a little appetite back today but still not where we would like to see it. She was a little more alert and expressive

The neurosurgeon ordered a CAT scan for Vickie this afternoon. After examining the scan results, he thinks the shunt is working properly and that Vickie’s problems are not related to the last surgery.

Vickie’s malaise continues on today. We have no idea what is behind this reversal in her condition.

After several days of improvement, Vickie reverted back to her pre-surgery self today, refusing to eat and not being very cognizant. Not sure of the cause of this problem.

The latest development is Vickie’s increased awareness of what and who is around her. She is making comments and observations about things she didn’t seem to notice before.

Vickie continues to show signs of improvement. She was able to interact reasonably well with the grandchildren when they paid her a short visit this morning.