http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/index.htm A feed to keep everyone up-to-date on Joyce's August 2020 Kaiser Permanente adventure. News/Tutorial Copyright 2020 by Michael Roy Pasini. All rights reserved. en-us mrpasini@gmail.com (Mike Pasini) mrpasini@gmail.com (Mike Pasini) http://mikepasini.com/corners/art/s-support.jpg http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/index.htm 100 200 In August 2020 Joyce is having surgery on the back area of her left thigh where she suffered radiation burns six years ago after surgery to remove a malignant tumor. 10 Sat, 15 Aug 2026 10:20:07 PDT Sat, 15 Aug 2026 10:20:07 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-08-15-wound-care.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-08-15-wound-care.htm Joyce had her left foot X-rayed yesterday. I was told she was going to have both feet X-rayed as well as both knees but the test results only reference her left foot. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:59:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-08-12-another-approach.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-08-12-another-approach.htm While it's true that Joyce is now able to walk around the whole facility and climb up and down the four stairs four times and work out on the NuStep by doing 500 to 1,000 steps, it's also true that she is still not able to shift her weight to her left leg. So she walks bent over with a limp. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:45:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-08-07-august.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-08-07-august.htm I am reminding myself as the first week in August comes to an end that there are some things you can expect to improve and some things you should expect to get worse. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:00:07 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-31-action-plan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-31-action-plan.htm Oh, not my action plan. Golden Heights Resident Council's action plan. They printed it out for each resident and it amused Joyce for a few minutes today. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:53:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-28-banner-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-28-banner-day.htm Today we seemed to have passed a couple of milestones. One involved the incisions that drained the May infection. The other involved Joyce's ability to use the walker rather than the wheelchair. Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:30:06 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-24-gold-stars.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-24-gold-stars.htm As the week comes to an end, I think Joyce has earned two Gold Stars over the last two days. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:33:27 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-22-different-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-22-different-day.htm Joyce did a couple of things today that we haven't done for a while. She got outside for a few minutes and she climbed some stairs. Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-20-new-week.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-20-new-week.htm Joyce is in bed when I arrive but immediately tells me she has to pee. This is a good sign. She knows. So I get her shoes on and give her a fresh jersey and she walks to the bathroom, sits on the commode and has a small bowel movement too. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:58:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-17-weekly-review.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-17-weekly-review.htm Rolling out of bed this morning, I remembered a text I was sent when Joyce returned to Golden Heights after surgery to drain the infection in her leg that developed there in the first place... Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:21:35 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-09-vac-solution.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-09-vac-solution.htm Now that the entire staff is on high alert about Joyce's Wound VAC, I still expected trouble. She said a CNA had taken her to the bathroom this morning. But I thought we should go anyway. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:12:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-07-dressing-problem.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-07-dressing-problem.htm So now we're having a recurring problem with Joyce's Wound VAC dressing. It keeps getting wet from exposure to urine, which detaches it from the skin and makes getting a vacuum impossible. Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:24:06 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-04-fourth.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-04-fourth.htm It's been a week of hits and misses. But we can sum it up with two anecdotes from the past two days to illustrate that. We know you're busy today. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:40:12 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-01-care-conference.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-07-01-care-conference.htm The Golden Heights staff assembled for another, if infrequent, care conference for Joyce yesterday afternoon. She and I rolled into the corner office to be updated by her physical therapy, nutrition and nursing teams with her Kaiser-affiliated doctor fielding questions remotely by text. Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:06:42 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-26-musical-chairs.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-26-musical-chairs.htm This week Stephanie the Administrator discovered a new way to aggravate visitors to Golden Heights. Remove the chairs. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:53:29 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-23-tuesday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-23-tuesday.htm I got to Golden Heights today after washing and waxing the Honda, which I call Joyce's Baby Limo, with Mothers California Gold carnuba car wash using the power washer. I cleaned the front stairs, too, since I had the power washer humming. And all that put me a little behind schedule. Sun, 21 Jun 2026 14:34:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-21-hfd.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-21-hfd.htm Joyce wanted to send a Happy Father's Day wish to all the Dads (including Adam, who became Hannah's father just in time on June 12). Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:00:26 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-17-catching-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-17-catching-up.htm It's been a while, I realize. But here's an update on what's been going on since Joyce returned from the hospital. Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:51:57 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-09-saddle.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-09-saddle.htm Joyce was transferred back to Golden Heights Sunday night. On Monday morning, I went there to coordinate her care, which is an odd thing to say, but that's how it turned out. Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:45:40 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-07-sunday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-07-sunday.htm Friday Cassie the Physical Therapist arrived just as Joyce was attempting to sit on some air instead of the commode. I had gotten her up, put her shoes on, put a PT belt around her waist when she changed her jersey and got her up on the walker. Usually she gathers herself with a grab bar in the bathroom before pivoting to sit on the commode. No pivot this time. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:23:27 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-01-courageous.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-06-01-courageous.htm I had to admire Joyce's courage today. Sun, 31 May 2026 17:13:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-31-working-sunday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-31-working-sunday.htm I did manage to get a day off yesterday, the first since the 16th. But today I went back to Golden Heights to help with the Wound VAC dressing change, Joyce's first since last Thursday. Fri, 29 May 2026 17:44:37 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-29-week-ends.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-29-week-ends.htm I had as few questions as the week ended. Thu, 28 May 2026 16:55:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-28-two-dressings.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-28-two-dressings.htm I went to Golden Heights an hour and a half earlier today, hoping to catch the wound nurse applying the Wound VAC dressing to Joyce's four wounds. Wed, 27 May 2026 18:27:26 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-27-afternoon.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-27-afternoon.htm When I got to the hospital today just before lunch, Dr. Olivas popped in to review Joyce's labs. I'd done that in the morning so I was able to follow the bouncing ball. Joyce's numbers had improved, hurray. Wed, 27 May 2026 10:49:30 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-27-discharge.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-27-discharge.htm Sam the Social Worker called this morning to let me know Joyce would be discharged today to Golden Heights around 2 p.m. Tue, 26 May 2026 16:04:33 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-26-physical-therapy.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-26-physical-therapy.htm Joyce had a session with Nick the Physical Therapist today. It started with his suggestion he help her sit on the edge of the bed today, since she hasn't been sitting up since May 18. Mon, 25 May 2026 16:44:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-25-wound-vac.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-25-wound-vac.htm I signed in at the security desk and immediately went to Room 64 just before lunch is served. When I got to the room, I saw a sign on the closed door that said, "ROOM READY." I looked inside and saw a freshly made bed and none of Joyce's things. Sun, 24 May 2026 18:00:11 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-24-new-wound.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-24-new-wound.htm Late this afternoon Bridget the RN changed Joyce's four small wet-to-dry dressings. And I got my first look at what Dr. Tong did. Sat, 23 May 2026 17:39:29 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-23-debrided.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-23-debrided.htm I got to Joyce's room just before Dr. Dana Cutter of infectious diseases visited. She enumerated the various infections the previous cultures had exposed but emphasized that today's cultures will be more helpful in finding the best antibiotic to use. Fri, 22 May 2026 19:20:17 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-22-debride.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-22-debride.htm Oh, today was a tough day. A rough day for Joyce. A difficult day for me. Fri, 22 May 2026 10:39:54 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-22-tong.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-22-tong.htm That was the question late yesterday. And once again, I was glad to have been on the scene. I was able to photograph the wound and see the discharge. Thu, 21 May 2026 09:32:12 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-21-labs.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-21-labs.htm There's some encouraging news in the morning lab reports, so I thought I'd pass it along before I leave for the hospital. Wed, 20 May 2026 15:12:08 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-20-vacation.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-20-vacation.htm After this morning's chat with Dr. J., I visited Joyce at the ICU. While her phone was charging, we called her sister Carol, who had wanted to talk to her, from my phone until Sergio, an RN, came in to start a new IV line in her left arm. Wed, 20 May 2026 10:51:26 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-20-sepsis.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-20-sepsis.htm This morning I got a call from Dr. Archana Jayakumar, who is supervising Joyce's care in the ICU. She goes by the name Dr. J, she was saying on the message she was leaving when I picked up the phone. I'd been about to jump in the shower. Tue, 19 May 2026 16:27:56 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-19-icu.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-19-icu.htm And now for a little more detail about Joyce's night in the Emergency Department. It's a "department" now, not a "room." ED, not ER. Mon, 18 May 2026 17:03:34 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-18-two-steps.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-18-two-steps.htm I got to Joyce's room at Golden Heights at the same moment the janitor arrived to mop the floor in her room. He asked if it was all right to mop and I said yes because I can swim but he decided to wait me out. Wed, 13 May 2026 16:40:14 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-13-complications.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-13-complications.htm Joyce took a wheelchair van to Kaiser's administrative building on Geary and Divisadero today for an ultrasound. When I got there, she was waiting in the busy reception area and waved to me. Mon, 11 May 2026 21:00:41 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-11-yesterday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-11-yesterday.htm Mother's Day was difficult. Golden Heights was understaffed for the holiday, no one backing anyone else up when they took a break or went to lunch. And Joyce had a problem. Wed, 06 May 2026 16:25:38 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-06-ridiculous.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-06-ridiculous.htm Every day I wonder if this adventure can get any more ridiculous. And, as you may have noticed, it can. Yes, it can. Tue, 05 May 2026 16:27:08 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-05-morrie.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-05-morrie.htm I keep thinking there must be some guy named Morrie at Golden Heights but I can't find him. So I visit the same people on Tuesday that I see on Monday. And every other day. Mon, 04 May 2026 11:05:53 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-04-new-labs.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-04-new-labs.htm On Sunday I got a copy of both the Friday blood tests and the dermatologist's prescription. Fri, 01 May 2026 09:59:17 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-01-new-wrinkle.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-05-01-new-wrinkle.htm It was a little disturbing yesterday when Emilla the Wound Nurse took the bandage off Joyce's drainage wound on her left buttock. The bandage was soaked in a thick, brown drainage. The day before it had been white puss. Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:03:14 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-28-why.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-28-why.htm I've been lumping days together in these reports because, uh, I didn't really want to relive the details. I thought hitting the highlights would keep you up to date and keep me on an even keel. Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:39:15 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-18-paying-the-bills.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-18-paying-the-bills.htm I haven't gotten a bill from Golden Heights since they sent a registered letter a while ago demanding payment for some months we'd already paid. I've mentioned this to the business office (where they're always glad to see me), but they all whisper, "Must be corporate," and leave it at that. Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:12:22 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-11-new-rules.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-11-new-rules.htm Along with surprise visitors from Sacramento, came a list of new rules for the facility. You may remember the new administrator has decreed a variety of silly guidelines having no purpose other than to annoy anyone trying to help a patient. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:26:21 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-08-nustepping.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-08-nustepping.htm Today began a little differently. When I arrived at Golden Heights I discovered the chair I usually use in Joyce's room was missing. It turns out it had been borrowed by the people across the hall. And they borrowed it because the person they were visiting had just died. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:29:08 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-01-change.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-04-01-change.htm The last two days have been very interesting. I keep wondering what they portend. Because, you know, I have no idea. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 10:01:50 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-29-weekly-review.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-29-weekly-review.htm Sorry about the delay in reports. Under the new administration every day is a fight over something and getting a perspective on the battle is constantly always interrupted by the next ridiculous thing. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 22:10:34 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-20-workarounds.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-20-workarounds.htm The last two days this week, the physical therapists have gotten Joyce out of bed to the wheelchair, to the bathroom to use the commode and back on the wheelchair to get dressed. They've figured out that if they tell her "Mike said ..." she'll do it when I'm not there. Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:47:43 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-18-new-numbers.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-18-new-numbers.htm The course of Ertapenem concluded yesterday after doubling the dosage. She also had a blood test to see where she stood after that dosage. One suspect issue is that the high dosage increased her potassium. It seems from these results to have been rough on her generally. Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:02:43 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-11-shuffling.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-11-shuffling.htm It's hard to explain how something as trivial as an mp3 player could matter as much as Joyce's iPod Shuffle does. But it's easy to see. All you have to do is scroll through her music collection. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:31:49 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-10-fortune-cookie.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-10-fortune-cookie.htm Today's lunch menu at the SNF included a fortune cookie (or three). Joyce's proclaimed, "Failure is opportunity in disguise." Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:56:22 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-09-new-adventure.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-09-new-adventure.htm Well, that's putting it mildly. It's a crisis for the patient, a mystery for their family and another unanswerable question for staff. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:10:22 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-06-the-week.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-03-06-the-week.htm I decided to wait until now to update you on life at Fawlty Towers, sometimes called Golden Heights with the same tongue in cheek. Because every day there was another trauma and I thought bundling them all into one story would make them more amusing than alarming. Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:58:49 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-28-a-trick.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-28-a-trick.htm Turns out there's a downside to this hydration thing. I got a text from Joyce this morning asking me if I was coming today. No, I replied, it's Saturday. My day off the Heights to wallow in the things I don't have time for during the week: like taking a long walk. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:44:58 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-27-two-liters.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-27-two-liters.htm When I visited Joyce today, she was hooked up to an IV but not the usual Ertapenem (which concludes Mar. 17 when, I promised her, they will fill the bag with green beer). No, this was just two liters of saline solution ordered by Dr. Dimaano after reviewing her lab results from yesterday's draw. Thu, 26 Feb 2026 18:24:50 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-26-podiatry.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-26-podiatry.htm On the way to Joyce's room today, I had the bright idea to stop and go back to the social worker room. I'm thinking I'll OK the $130 podiatrist because I can deduct it from her share-of-cost. Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:19:30 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-25-gym-change.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-25-gym-change.htm I took Joyce to the gym today to put some time in on the SciFit again, hoping to strengthen her knee. We go at noon, half an hour before her lunch but at the same time the therapy staff is having lunch. Wed, 24 Feb 2026 10:03:29 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-24-therapy-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-24-therapy-again.htm As Joyce was waiting for Emma the CNA to do a diaper change, Leonie the Physical Therapist came into the room. She noticed I had arrived. They use me as, well, a crutch. To get Joyce to work with them. Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:32:30 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-23-jaa.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-23-jaa.htm This is a silly post but it must be made so I won't be tempted to shoehorn it into the next, more substantive, one. Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:15:21 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-23-treading-water.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-23-treading-water.htm Not that the place has flooded again but the infection Joyce is battling has apparently delayed her recovery. Treatment is just a half-hour antibiotic IV drip, leaving 23.5 hours of the day free (according to my calculations) but no one comes for her. Sat, 21 Feb 2026 09:33:59 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-21-yesterday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-21-yesterday.htm Every day now I arrive with a bottle or two of Propel water. I pour a cup of it and encourage her to drink it and she gets through the bottle that way. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:32:33 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-18-the-plan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-18-the-plan.htm When I visited Joyce today, I saw that an IV pole had been put in her room and a brochure on PICC lines was on her overbed table. I asked her if they put the line in and she didn't know. So I pulled up her sleeve and saw it. Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:22:35 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-17-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-17-update.htm It's been all Joyce can do to sit on the side of the bed for half an hour the past two days. I get her up for lunch but it isn't a very comfortable position on an inflatable mattress so she ends up finishing her tray lying back in bed. Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:22:23 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-14-sitting-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-14-sitting-up.htm Today Joyce sat up for the first time in weeks. Well, not counting yesterday's ride in a death-defying wheelchair attraction. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:06:38 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-13-different.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-13-different.htm I decided to drive to the Plastic Surgery Department for Joyce's suture removal today rather than take the bus because I wanted to be able to easily go back to Golden Heights after. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:21:21 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-12-wheelchair.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-12-wheelchair.htm I was a little surprised to see a wheelchair set aside for Joyce when I visited her today. But also relieved. That battle seems to be over. Although it's hard to tell. I didn't run into anyone waving a white flag. No one said anything, in fact. Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:43:13 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-09-new-date.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-09-new-date.htm When I got home from Golden Heights today (where they gave her salad dressing but no salad for lunch), Dr. Holland's office called to reschedule her suture removal appointment. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:56:44 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-08-sunday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-08-sunday.htm This morning, Dr. Holland responded to my late night email... Sat, 07 Feb 2026 22:54:04 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-07-saturday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-07-saturday.htm Sometime after 10 p.m. tonight, I got a call from Golden Heights. It was a nurse who told me Joyce's second drain had become dislodged. It took about five minutes to clarify that because at first I thought she was telling me that Joyce's sutures were seeping. It was hard to make out what she was saying. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:02:50 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-06-friday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-06-friday.htm Not a good day. It started well, though. I got to Joyce's room with two strawberry/kiwi Propel drinks from her sister Carol send. And to my surprise, she really liked them. Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:07:28 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-05-wrinkle.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-05-wrinkle.htm Emilla the RN had just finished changing Joyce's dressing when I arrived today. But she was concerned. Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:32:36 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-04-new-numbers.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-04-new-numbers.htm The results from Joyce's blood test yesterday have come in. After a liter of saline solution was delivered by IV, the four worrisome levels moved in the right direction... Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:46:26 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-02-another-iv.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-02-another-iv.htm Raquel the RN called me at home this morning to request permission to start an IV drip. I was glad to hear it. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:50:18 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-01-night-call.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-02-01-night-call.htm TridentCare Lab received Joyce's blood draw at 3:34 in the morning on Friday. At 9:35 on Sunday (that was last night), I got a call from a nurse at Golden Heights, alarmed at her numbers. Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:11:18 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-30-clarity.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-30-clarity.htm Yesterday I was able to clear a few things up, cross some things off the list, pay some bills. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:30:40 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-28-nora-smiling.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-28-nora-smiling.htm Last night nephew Andy texted a photo of his daughter Nora holding up her certificate for being Knowledgeable at school. She had a smile on her face as big as the certificate. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:42:58 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-26-a-peek.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-26-a-peek.htm I got a peek at the sutures this afternoon. Binita the Wound Nurse was running a bit late so she didn't get to it until this afternoon. Fifteen minutes before Joyce's phone visit with her Memory Clinic nurse practitioner Saroya. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:19:59 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-22-flowers.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-22-flowers.htm It's been a very strange week at Golden Heights. It's almost as if the place has been taken over by an entirely new administration with different ways of doing things. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:16:00 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-16-discharged.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-16-discharged.htm By the time I got to the hospital yesterday, Dr. Holland had already been to see Joyce but Joyce has no memory of the visit. I see discharge papers on her tray, though. Wed, 14 Jan 2026 19:51:06 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-14-reading-in-bed.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-14-reading-in-bed.htm Today was a quiet day for Joyce. She hasn't been out of bed and on her feet since Thursday. A week ago. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:58:25 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-13-activities.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-13-activities.htm Being bedridden for a week is no fun. "What did I do wrong?" Joyce asks, meaning to have deserved this plight. She was down today but she'd been in good spirits. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 20:24:22 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-11-all-smiles.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-11-all-smiles.htm Joyce was all smiles today -- even before the 49ers beat the Eagles in Philadelphia. Sat, 10 Jan 2026 16:09:50 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-10-first-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-10-first-day.htm I talked to Dr. Howser (really), another hospitalist watching over Joyce. She told me much the same as Dr. Kirshenbaum had yesterday. Except that she said the the wound had a Wound VAC on it. Fri, 09 Jan 2026 11:52:02 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-09-today.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-09-today.htm As I write this, Dr. Mike Holland is debriding Joyce's wound for the last time, cutting away the yellow slough to get down to healthy tissue, before he sews the skin above it together with three layers of sutures. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:53:45 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-07-iv-drip.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-07-iv-drip.htm Today's episode at the SNF included a change of doctors and an IV drip. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 17:27:17 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-06-surgery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-06-surgery.htm It's been a statistically interesting week. She had a blood test Friday and another today. I'm comparing those numbers to her recent admission and discharge numbers. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:31:39 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-05-sunday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2026-01-05-sunday.htm When I got to Golden Heights on Sunday, I found out Emilla the RN (who has done Joyce's wound dressing change when the wound care RN was off) had gone home sick. Wed, 31 Dec 2025 23:01:04 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-31-back-at-beginning.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-31-back-at-beginning.htm It rained all day and into the night. So I drove to the bank to pay Joyce's bills and the drove to the hospital. No bus for me in the rain. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:28:20 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-30-resting.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-30-resting.htm I visited Joyce for a couple of hours today, encouraging her to eat her lunch and getting that Ensure Plus on the menu for each meal. Vanessa the RN messaged the doctor (presumably Dr. Holland but who knows) for permission. And since it's the high protein version, it was approved. And she drank it. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 08:15:31 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-30-a-room.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-30-a-room.htm After talking to Dr. Holland late yesterday afternoon, I put away the wound dressing supplies I'd set out to change Joyce's dressing. Not only had he done it himself but he'd changed the frequency to three times a day. Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:56:08 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-29-change-of-plans.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-29-change-of-plans.htm We were in the pre-op waiting room at 7:15 am for Joyce 7:30 surgery to close the wound when Dr Holland came by to tell us Joyce's latest lab results showed her creatinine level was double the normal rate (2.14 from the 1.11 maximum level). He suspected dehydration was the cause. Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:31:41 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-28-amiangelo-visit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-28-amiangelo-visit.htm On Saturday, Joseph and Michael had planned to surprise Joyce with a visit. They were in town from Los Angeles and planned to pick me up around 11. But just before that, Andy in Sacrament texted that he was thinking of coming along too. No problem, I told him. Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:56:59 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-26-3-in-1.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-26-3-in-1.htm It was another overwhelming week so I've had to put off the usual blog entry in favor of one longer magazine article I could put together as I catch my breath. Sat, 13 Dec 2025 09:11:43 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-13-two-weeks.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-12-13-two-weeks.htm Before the last two weeks turn into the last three weeks, I thought I'd sit down and tell you what's happened so far this month. By the time I sat down, though, it was 11:30 at night. Sat, 29 Nov 2025 21:21:56 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-29-seventy-five.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-29-seventy-five.htm Joyce woke up to balloons tied to her bed wishing her a happy birthday. Her 75th. Meanwhile I was buying her birthday cake when nephew Joe Pasini called to wish her a happy one. That started a day of phone calls from people she cares about. Sat, 22 Nov 2025 20:09:53 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-22-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-22-update.htm A few notable things happened this week but I didn't have time to write about them until now. Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:32:07 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-17-hurdling.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-17-hurdling.htm Today was chaotic starting with the deluge I drove through to get to Golden Heights. Just as I got on the freeway, a downpour hit. I really couldn't see through the windshield until I got to the exit. Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:13:49 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-14-balancing.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-14-balancing.htm During Reliant's therapy evaluation I'd expressed my concern about Joyce's sense of balance. She had just fallen backwards in the Kaiser garage but she falls backwards a lot. Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:59:01 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-13-darts.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-13-darts.htm Today Joyce had her first physical therapy session after her hospitalization. Her infection reset the counters for occupational and physical therapy, as well as room and board. Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:08:08 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-12-two-days.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-12-two-days.htm Just catching up on the last two days, which have been something like a break in the weather of the last year. Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:39:54 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-10-first-day-back.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-10-first-day-back.htm On the way down the hallway to visit Joyce today, I greeting a number of staff and patients who all wanted to know if Joyce was all right. She is, she is, I thanked them. Sun, 09 Nov 2025 16:34:48 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-09-returned-to-Golden-Heights.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-09-returned-to-Golden-Heights.htm Joyce's blood sugar and blood pressure were stable enough for her to return to Golden Heights this afternoon. I drove over, getting there just after she was put back in her bed. Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:52:47 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-07-still-there.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-07-still-there.htm I'm in no rush to see Joyce return to Golden Heights and I can't imagine she is either. Not that Kaiser South City is a paradise. Far from it. Different doctor every day. Different RN every day. No supplies except what I bring. Every day. Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:26:02 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-06-test-results.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-06-test-results.htm Joyce escaped the ICU today. She called from the phone in the room early in the morning to tell me. Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:38:11 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-05-hooked-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-05-hooked-up.htm I arrived at the ICU just as Kim the Physical Therapist was getting Joyce up. She got out of bed using the trekking pole I brought, pivoted and sat in the same bedside chair. Kim doesn't use a physical therapy belt, she said, when I offered the belt I'd brought from home. We both hoped we could take Joyce for a walk but she wasn't quite there yet. Maybe tomorrow. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 17:30:53 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-04-icu-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-04-icu-lunch.htm Again, Joyce's condition improved today. I had a nice long chat with today's doctor, Archana Jayakumar about her situation. A few things are clearer. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:29:01 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-03-improvement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-03-improvement.htm I drove over to the hospital this morning, checked in at the front desk in the lobby and buzzed my way into the ICU to visit Joyce for a few hours. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 20:51:59 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-02-hospital.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-11-02-hospital.htm The first day of Standard Time, after I changed the clocks, cleaned the house and put the laundry in the dryer, I drove to Golden Heights with Joyce's iPad so she could play the piano. Sat, 25 Oct 2025 21:08:10 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-25-surprise-visit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-25-surprise-visit.htm On Friday I walked Joyce down the hall to the fish tank on our way to the scale -- as usual -- when we saw a familiar face. Was that Blake? Yes, it was. And here's Judy and Carol, too. And the new face next to Blake was Lynn, his fiancee. Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:50:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-22-cunningham-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-22-cunningham-lunch.htm When Tom heard about Joyce's stumbles getting into the house, he volunteered to help get her safely to the table on Wednesday. So he and June drove down from Sebastopol today. Fri, 17 Oct 2025 17:02:20 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-17-hat-trick.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-17-hat-trick.htm They were hanging witches hats from the ceiling at Golden Heights today. No holiday goes uncelebrated there. I posed Joyce under one of the hats for a laugh. She laughed. Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:56:20 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-16-steak-salad.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-16-steak-salad.htm Yesterday Joyce came home for lunch again. Wednesday nights were filet mignon dinners here, with two small filets from Trader Joe's. I still buy them and cook them both in an iron skillet, saving one for a steak salad dinner. But yesterday, I made lunch with it. Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:40:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-07-too-short.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-07-too-short.htm When Joyce finished her three sets of 126 steps on the SciFit half an hour before lunch, I suggested she try a new puzzle. Titled "Nature," it depicted two dolphins rising up out of the ocean under a dark sky with a few bright spots. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:00:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-01-two-days.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-10-01-two-days.htm Joyce and I have been doing the same routine for a while now. Thu, 25 Sep 2025 16:22:55 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-25-dr-holland.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-25-dr-holland.htm Joyce had an appointment with Dr. Mike Holland, a new surgeon at the Kaiser plastic surgery department, after Jennifer the Wound Care RN referred Joyce to him. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:16:21 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-24-sushi.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-24-sushi.htm Feeling a bit stronger this week, I arranged to get a pass for Joyce to have lunch at home again on Wednesday. But I couldn't fathom what to make for lunch. And I never did. Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:14:40 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-11-thousand-words.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-11-thousand-words.htm I'd say more but this shot is worth a thousand words all by itself. Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:29:17 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-10-busy-week.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-10-busy-week.htm So on Monday Joyce had an evisit with Saroya the Nurse Practitioner at the Memory Clinic. We did manage to reserve the Fireside room, a small conference room next to the Pacific room, so we had some privacy. Sat, 06 Sep 2025 11:33:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-06-catching-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-09-06-catching-up.htm It wasn't as quiet a week as it may appear so I'm taking moment this morning to catch up. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:09:57 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-27-no-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-27-no-lunch.htm I've been taking Joyce home for lunch on Wednesdays since the end of June. We only skip her debridement days, which happen to fall on Wednesdays, too. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:17:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-20-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-20-lunch.htm Two weeks ago I was occupied in the kitchen so didn't take a photo and last week was Joyce's debridement so only the nurse took a photo (and only of the wound). So it's been a month since I've taken taken her photo -- and that was before she had her hair cut. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:34:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-14-developments.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-14-developments.htm Jose had recommended that Joyce shampoo and condition her hair every week when she got it cut at the salon two weeks ago. He said some nursing home bring their charges to the salon just for that. And I was tempted. Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:14:37 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-11-evisit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-11-evisit.htm I took Joyce's computer to Golden Heights today for an evisit with Saroya, the Kaiser Memory Clinic nurse practitioner. It was an adventure. Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:33:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-07-cunningham-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-07-cunningham-lunch.htm This Wednesday's lunch at home was quite a bit different for Joyce. The menu, for one thing, was quite a bit more interesting than the usual yogurt, soup and Boost I usually serve her. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:27:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-04-pull-ups.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-04-pull-ups.htm Joyce has been complaining that the paper diapers she wears keep slipping down. They have Velcro left and right wings that stick to the front piece that comes up from below. Getting a tight fit around her waist, though, is difficult. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:40:53 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-01-salon.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-08-01-salon.htm Joyce texted me this morning, "What time do we have to go to get my hair done? What do I need to do to get ready?" Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:53:51 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-30-wednesday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-30-wednesday.htm Joyce is managing these Wednesday home lunches better, getting up and down the stairs with less trouble. I'm not so sure I can say the same about her caregiver. Sat, 26 Jul 2025 16:07:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-26-abbott.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-26-abbott.htm Sometimes when I walk by the nurses' station, I hear someone call out, "Mr. Abbott!" Poor old Mr. Abbott, I think, wonder what he's gotten himself into. Then I realize they are trying to get the attention of the guy who comes to visit Joyce Abbott every day. Me. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:20:15 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-24-two-handed.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-24-two-handed.htm The last time Joyce played the piano with both hands was in March. Since then, she's only been playing with her right hand. Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:13:40 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-23-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-23-lunch.htm We had to skip our Wednesday lunch at home last week because Joyce had a debridement instead. I didn't want to wear her out. Sun, 20 Jul 2025 17:27:34 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-20-eats.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-20-eats.htm When I visited Joyce today, the first thing I asked her was if she had a banana for breakfast. "Yes," she said, "and I ate it too." Sat, 19 Jul 2025 14:31:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-19-quarterly.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-19-quarterly.htm I'm keenly aware that I owe you a report on the "quarterly" meeting that occurred after eight months of residency. But I was just exhausted yesterday and thought a night's sleep would be just the ticket. Except my chronic cough kept me up for two hours in the middle of the night and I slept in to make up for it. So I'm just now getting to it. Apologies. Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:36:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-14-between-storms.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-14-between-storms.htm Sorry if you weren't able to access the site this weekend. The server stopped responding after I tried to block some nasty bots from devouring our allotted bandwidth. But we're back in business now. Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:08:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-10-two-days.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-10-two-days.htm I have to confess that it's been difficult to get a handle on what's going on. Yesterday, for example, Joyce did very well, getting into the house, eating lunch, talking about things and getting back down the stairs. Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:20:10 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-09-lunch-at-home.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-09-lunch-at-home.htm As we walked out of her room at Golden Heights to go home for lunch today, she said she was nervous. She felt like she was going to fall. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:29:53 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-07-evisit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-07-evisit.htm Today's big event was an evisit with Saroya Mangondato-Galvan, a nurse practitioner from the Kaiser Memory Clinic. They have not forgotten her. Fri, 04 Jul 2025 07:23:15 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-04-happy-fourth.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-04-happy-fourth.htm It's a little ironic to call the Fourth of July this year Independence Day. I'd hoped in June to be able to bring Joyce home in July but I had to admit that as much as she has improved, there's still a long way to go. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:58:54 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-02-lunch-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-07-02-lunch-again.htm I brought Joyce home for lunch again today. I served a cup of Rao's minestrone with a little fake caesar salad with black olives, which she ate most of. She also had a Boost. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:42:53 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-30-pump.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-30-pump.htm Today Joyce's bed was exchanged for a unit whose mattress can be pumped up with air. The rental pump was, fortunately, not from Apria but from Med One. And it was still pumping when I left, an hour after it was moved in. Fri, 27 Jun 2025 18:30:26 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-27-another-opinion.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-27-another-opinion.htm Today, after Joyce got dressed and walked down to the fish tank to sit in her wheelchair, she had a surprise waiting. Tom Cunningham had come to visit. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:10:59 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-25-home-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-25-home-lunch.htm Today's adventure was to bring Joyce home for lunch. She'd done what stairs Golden Heights could muster and walked to her appointment at Kaiser so she had proven herself fit enough to walk to the front stairs, climb them and make it to the table in the dining room. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:46:24 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-23-two-puzzles.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-23-two-puzzles.htm Technically, three. But two kinds. Sounds more like a riddle than a puzzle, put that way. Which is, after all, puzzling. Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:07:17 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-18-long-short.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-18-long-short.htm A month ago Jennifer the Wound RN st Kaiser had admonished me about the state of Joyce's wheelchair cushion. "It needs more air," she said. Sun, 15 Jun 2025 15:09:20 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-15-progress-report.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-15-progress-report.htm On Friday Liane the Physical Therapist gave Joyce another MoCA test. It was requested by "one of the doctors." Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:11:13 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-09-but-who-knows.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-09-but-who-knows.htm A long time ago I saw some comedian express without using a single word the well-known phrase masquerading as this piece's title. He began by pointing to his rear end, then threw up his hands in a shrug and ended by pointing to his nose. Butt Who Nose. Sun, 08 Jun 2025 14:22:50 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-08-step-back.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-08-step-back.htm It was nearly one in the morning Sunday when the phone rang. I ignored it. It rang again. It was Joyce. She wanted to know "how to get everything closed out now." Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:09:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-02-milestone.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-02-milestone.htm Joyce was again reluctant to get out of bed but she sat up and got dressed. I walked her around the corner toward her chair by the far door to the gym. Sun, 01 Jun 2025 09:36:10 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-01-miscommunication.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-06-01-miscommunication.htm It started in the parking lot Thursday. I was waiting for head-in spot because I still don't see well enough to park the car any other way. And by waiting I mean I parked with the engine off and the window open to listen for any ignition firing up somewhere in the lot. Wed, 28 May 2025 16:22:20 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-28-nails.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-28-nails.htm Naturally, I forgot to bring small scissors with me to Golden Heights today. But there's a large CVS pharmacy just off the freeway exit so I run in there to have a look. Tue, 27 May 2025 17:18:30 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-27-prison.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-27-prison.htm The other day one of the patients walked out of his room and, his diaper drooping below his T-shirt, asked a nurse, "Is this a prison?" Fri, 23 May 2025 19:29:14 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-23-friday-night-lites.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-23-friday-night-lites.htm I've been intending to update you for a couple of days but, frankly, the flesh is weak. Yesterday (garbage day) I raked the back forty after dinner, got tripped by a tall sprinkler and tumbled downhill 20 feet, rolling over and over. But somehow I didn't hit my fragile head. Weak flesh indeed. Tue, 20 May 2025 14:57:45 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-20-stroll.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-20-stroll.htm If yesterday was a change of pace, today was an acceleration. But first let me tell you about yesterday. Sat, 17 May 2025 08:32:43 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-17-the-administrator.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-17-the-administrator.htm On Wednesday Joyce wrote a check from her long-dormant Bank of America account to pay for her share-of-cost for February, March and April. I told Michelle in the business office she would pay for May when her Social Security payment is received at the end of the month. And she was fine with that. Tue, 13 May 2025 09:05:27 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-13-stairs.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-13-stairs.htm Yesterday Joyce managed to get up the stair platform three times, once more than she ever has. Counting the top step, there are four steps on the flight, making for 12 total (and 12 down, too). Sat, 10 May 2025 17:35:21 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-10-bank.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-10-bank.htm Appointments are not just for dentists and debridements. Once in a while, you actually have to go to the bank, for example. And when I finally got the bill from Golden Heights, Joyce had to go to the bank. So I made an appointment. For last Friday. Tue, 06 May 2025 17:37:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-06-cognitive-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-06-cognitive-update.htm I realized I haven't kept you up to date on the week's events as I walked back from Goodwill down the hill where I went hoping to find a belt to replace the two that are frittering away. Mon, 05 May 2025 07:32:09 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-05-cinco.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-05-cinco.htm Skilled Nursing Facilities are very observant. At least as far as holidays go. Golden Heights navigated Passover/Easter with a celebration of Spring. May, however, is easier to party with Cinco de Mayo celebrating Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Fri, 02 May 2025 16:43:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-02-still-trekking.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-05-02-still-trekking.htm On the one hand, I'm delighted to report that since Joyce used her trekking pole on April 24, she hasn't touched the walker. She stands up from the bed and walks up the hall and around the corner toward the gym to sit in her chair using nothing but the trekking pole. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:27:24 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-24-trekking.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-24-trekking.htm Yesterday Joyce complained that I didn't bring her trekking pole with me. So today, against my better judgment, I did. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:04:58 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-24-debridement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-24-debridement.htm Yesterday I left around noon for Golden Heights to take Joyce out for the second day in a row, this time to her debridement on Geary with Jennifer the RN. I'm taking over for St. Mark Transit. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:31:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-22-dental-visit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-22-dental-visit.htm Today's big event was a noontime dental appointment. It had been nearly a year since Joyce had her teeth cleaned after she canceled her last three-month appointment. So, yes, this was a big event. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 09:19:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-18-big-step.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-18-big-step.htm Yesterday Kevin the Physical Therapist caught me coming in and asked me to bring Joyce to the gym for her session when I got her up. I've been putting her wheelchair in the hallway so she has to walk to it about 30 feet every day because that's usually the only walking she does. Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:02:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-13-a-milestone.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-13-a-milestone.htm A few weeks ago I rolled Joyce to the car parked in a handicapped spot and she got in. She got out, too. She had a debridement on Geary coming up so I asked her whether she wanted to go in the car or the wheelchair van. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:27:13 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-09-two-opinions.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-09-two-opinions.htm It's been a few days since I my last update and some of them have been good and some haven't been as good. So I thought I'd take a page from the baseball season and hit for average. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:54:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-02-upward.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-02-upward.htm Today was a first in two ways. But it didn't start out very well. When I got Joyce up to get dressed, she kept falling backward from her sitting position on the edge of the bed. And when she falls like that, she screams. Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:17:41 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-01-marching-orders.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-04-01-marching-orders.htm It may look like a big weight drop if you're following the home page ticker but in fact it's merely an adjustment. Daisy the RNA recently weighed the wheelchair with its foam cushion and the air cushion we put on top and it turns out it's 41 lbs. I had calculated it some time ago without the cushions at 37 lbs. So the chair gained weight. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:08:03 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-28-an-opinon.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-28-an-opinon.htm Christina called wondering if Joyce needed her nails done. It's been a while so she drove me to Golden Heights and trimmed Joyce's fingernails after I got her up and she dressed herself. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:39:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-26-new-dress.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-26-new-dress.htm Yesterday's debridement went well after Jennifer the RN put Lidocaine on the wound to numb it. Getting in and out of the chair that converts into a bed remains a challenge. It's too large to sit in and too bumpy to lie down in. Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:30:49 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-23-transport.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-23-transport.htm I've been losing sleep trying to think of ways to get Joyce from Golden Heights to Kaiser in San Francisco for her debridement on Tuesday with Jennifer the RN. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:03:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-19-back-at-paino.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-19-back-at-paino.htm Today the train left the station a little later than usual, so to speak. When I got to Joyce's room, she wasn't ready to get up. She needed "a change" and, she said, the nurse had scheduled her for later so she had to wait. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:29:55 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-19-tuesday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-19-tuesday.htm It seems like since the new administration took office the phone has been ringing with one scam after another. A barrage, you might say. And a few of them are so brazen they leave voice mail encouraging me to call them back to authorize some purchase I didn't make, say. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:24:08 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-17-spd-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-17-spd-update.htm I've waited a few days before updating you because I smelled a trend. Joyce's weight has stabilized. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 17:32:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-12-more-progress.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-12-more-progress.htm Wendy and Neil, the RNAs, grabbed Joyce before lunch time to take her for a walk. They put a PT belt around her as something of a handle, lift her out of the wheelchair and stand on each side of her as she walks down the hall. I bring up the rear with the wheelchair so she has a place to plop when she's pooped. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:22:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-10-weight-gain.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-10-weight-gain.htm Over the weekend Joyce registered her first weight gain since coming to Golden Heights in November. But it was so small I discounted it, hoping to see if it was real today. Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:09:37 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-05-improvement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-05-improvement.htm Today was different. It was not the same as the day before. It was, in fact, better. Tue, 04 Mar 2025 16:07:15 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-04-games.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-03-04-games.htm On Monday there was a package at the door from Joyce's sister Mary. I took it to Golden Heights so Joyce could open it. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 17:31:03 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-28-a-visit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-28-a-visit.htm This morning Andy drove his mother from Sacramento, picking me up, to visit Joyce. She was still in bed when we arrived, so I put her shoes on and helped her get dressed and into the wheelchair. Then we all went to the gym. Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:26:15 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-26-debridement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-26-debridement.htm Joyce had a debridement in San Francisco yesterday. It's become a routine monthly operation to remove the yellow slough from her wound and promote healing. Jennifer the RN at the Wound Care Center on Geary and Divisadero is handling it now since Dr. Fong was transferred to South San Francisco. Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:35:14 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-22-hearts.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-22-hearts.htm The staff has left the Valentine's Day decorations up in the hallway by the main desk. So I took a photo of Joyce as we sat by the fish tank (where we always try to find the little one that is the same color as the rocks) with the hearts dangling behind her. Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:58:09 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-20-new-dressing.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-20-new-dressing.htm Yesterday the morning rain kept me from waiting for a bus so I didn't get to Golden Heights until after Joyce had not eaten lunch. She was still in bed, so I was about to get her up when Janet the CNA popped in to say she was just about to change her. Wed, 19 Feb 2025 07:38:39 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-19-past-few.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-19-past-few.htm The past few days at Golden Heights have been pretty much the same as the last few reports have described. Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:58:53 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-11-week-begins.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-11-week-begins.htm I was simply too tired to write up yesterday's encouraging news yesterday. But today wasn't nearly as encouraging, just the opposite, so it's probably better to see the two days together to appreciate what's going on. Sat, 08 Feb 2025 15:14:51 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-08-weekend-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-08-weekend-update.htm It's Saturday afternoon. Sunny. I had lunch, gave the car batteries a little jolt of electricity and drove the Honda around the block just to shave off the rust on the front disc brakes that had formed after the recent storm. Good as new. Wed, 05 Feb 2025 17:43:06 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-05-andy-visits.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-05-andy-visits.htm After yesterday's storm, the sun shone full force today, nudging the termometer over 50 degrees. And Andy drove down from Sacramento to visit Joyce at Golden Heights. Tue, 04 Feb 2025 17:33:55 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-04-vac-or-not.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-04-vac-or-not.htm That's the question. Unfortunately for Joyce, every time she tries to do something with her left leg, some blood runs through the transparent tubing from her wound to the VAC. Not good. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:52:52 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-03-feb-at-snf.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-02-03-feb-at-snf.htm Two days of rain over the weekend kept me at home instead of waiting for buses in the drizzle. But today I went early only to find the Wound VAC shut off and its charging brick disconnected from the wall plug. Thu, 30 Jan 2025 18:05:40 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-30-beethoven.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-30-beethoven.htm I took some sheet music from the piano bench and put it in my briefcase to take to Golden Heights today. The idea was to see if I could get Joyce to play the piano. Thu, 30 Jan 2025 08:11:26 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-30-developments.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-30-developments.htm Just as my new financial advisor at Raymond James opened the door, I get a call from Dmitri, the Kaiser placement agent. I promise to call him back but it takes a while because after I talk to the financial advisor, I have to visit the attorney to get the original invoice for the work done on my mother's house last summer, a story in itself. Tue, 28 Jan 2025 08:32:38 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-28-another-wound-vac.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-28-another-wound-vac.htm Yesterday Joyce was switched from the twice-a-day wet-to=dry wound dressings to an every-other-day Wound VAC (vacuum assisted closure). I was glad to see to the new Lightstone Tzoar 207 pump had a lighter plastic housing (and a better AC connection) than the cast iron pumps Byram used to supply when she had one at home. Fri, 24 Jan 2025 14:39:24 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-24-fear-of-falling.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-24-fear-of-falling.htm Today I took Joyce a bill to pay as well as her laptop. I'd just installed my checkbook program on her laptop a few days ago and wanted to show her how to use it. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 16:26:27 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-23-no-one-cares.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-23-no-one-cares.htm She says that to anyone who tries to get her to do anything. Get out of bed, walk down the hall, eat her lunch. If you cared about her, she is arguing, you'd let her stay in bed, not get on the walker, leave her lunch untouched. Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:24:19 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-20-holiday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-20-holiday.htm The bus schedule for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day seemed a bit less frequent than even a Sunday. It took about an hour and half to get there and two hours to get home. So I was able to spend just an hour and half with Joyce. Sat, 18 Jan 2025 08:33:37 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-18-debridement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-18-debridement.htm I took the 43 Masonic to the Kaiser building at the corner of Geary and Divisadero where, on the second floor under a Surgery sign, the Wound Care Center is doing business. Joyce had a 4 p.mm. debridement appointment with Jennifer the RN. Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:16:03 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-15-after-a-lull.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-15-after-a-lull.htm Two weekends ago I suffered a severe head cold that knocked me out of the rotation for 10 days, coughing and blowing my nose. I didn't, however, have a temperature. But if there's one place you are not welcome when you are sick, it's a skilled nursing facility. There are just too many vulnerable people there. Fri, 03 Jan 2025 17:56:57 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-03-rna.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-03-rna.htm Upon reflection, I found my conversation with Deb yesterday disturbing. It was not unexpected that therapy would end, given her dementia and consequent lack of cooperation. And I was appreciative that she had arranged for the facility's Restorative Nursing Assistants to work with her to walk and transfer to a wheelchair. Fri, 03 Jan 2025 07:23:04 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-03-no.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2025-01-03-no.htm Joyce is still in bed getting her dressing changed by Binita the RN when Christina and I arrived at Golden Heights yesterday. I help Binita get the Ace bandage on by holding Joyce's leg up and promised to bring the three dirty bandages back tomorrow. Tue, 31 Dec 2024 16:44:18 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-31-wound-maintenance.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-31-wound-maintenance.htm On the last day of 2024, Joyce was transported from Golden Heights to the Kaiser Wound Care Clinic on Geary and Divisadero where she was seen by Jennifer the RN and Dr. Tong. Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:55:22 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-28-at-the-piano.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-28-at-the-piano.htm Andy and Judy drove down from Sacramento to visit Joyce today. Wed, 25 Dec 2024 23:05:44 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-25-christmas-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-25-christmas-day.htm I ws awakened by a call on the house phone from Alice calling on her husband's cell phone. But I can't get up in time to answer it. She worries something has happened to me because I didn't answer so she says she'll call my cell phone. But instead she calls the house phone again on her cell hone. Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:58:29 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-24-christmas-eve.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-24-christmas-eve.htm We've been to see Joyce every day (taking Saturdays off to rest our brain bleeds) but we haven't been updating you here every day. Which is not to say things haven't been happening, but should suggest how exhausting December has been for this particular invalid. Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:27:47 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-19-catching-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-19-catching-up.htm The day after our visit to the memory clinic, Joyce walked halfway around the nursing home. Since then, though she's refused to get out of the chair to walk. Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:55:17 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-12-memory-clinic.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-12-memory-clinic.htm I met Joyce at the Memory Clinic this afternoon. She arrived a minute before David the Ombudsman popped out of the elevator. He and I discussed my concerns about transport billing before he copied some invoices and went to work on it. Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:57:17 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-11-catching-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-11-catching-up.htm Sorry for the silence. Sometimes a little too much is going on to keep up. So this is the first chance I've gotten to catch up. Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:57:07 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-06-sick-today.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-06-sick-today.htm Long after I had left the house, Joyce texted me, "I am not feeling well. Don't come today." Thu, 05 Dec 2024 14:42:24 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-05-longer-walk.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-05-longer-walk.htm The minute I got there today, Joyce insisted she wasn't going to get out of bed. We fought. I put her shoes on. She got out of bed. And into the wheelchair. Wed, 04 Dec 2024 16:33:50 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-04-a-walk.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-04-a-walk.htm Holly got me to the SNF just after 11 a.m. and once again I took the long way around to Joyce's room to let the therapists know I've arrived. They wait for me before working with Joyce. We outnumber her. Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:55:54 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-03-tuesday-snif.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-03-tuesday-snif.htm Joyce is in bed and doesn't want to get up. Infuriating, you know. Then she asks me to put on her shoes so she can get up. Sure. Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:17:42 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-02-spirited-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-12-02-spirited-day.htm Last night Joyce text me that she wanted to come home. But she was under the impression her CNA, LVN, RN and two therapists would come to the house to help her get better. No, I explained. They only work at Golden Heights. Fri, 29 Nov 2024 17:36:30 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-29-birthday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-29-birthday.htm Sister Judy with nephews Andy and Joey drove down from Sacramento this morning to celebrate Joyce's birthday. She was surprised and delighted. Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:38:11 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-28-two-and-two.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-28-two-and-two.htm You never know what's going to happen at Golden Height. Yesterday was a pleasant surprise. Tue, 26 Nov 2024 19:32:58 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-26-before-thanksgiving.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-26-before-thanksgiving.htm Gobsmacked is the word I'd use to describe how it feels to be surrounded by friends new and old who have stepped up to help Joyce and me in our hour of need. And when I think how much more than an hour it's been but days and weeks and now months, I know one word just can't cover it. Fri, 22 Nov 2024 13:49:10 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-22-better.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-22-better.htm Today Cassie brought Kevin instead of Jayce (who was otherwise occupied) to work with Joyce. She gave Joyce a choice of walking to sit in the wheelchair or standing up three times. Thu, 21 Nov 2024 16:48:12 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-21-standing-ovation.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-21-standing-ovation.htm Don't ask me why I'm not thrilled about the last two days at Golden Heights. I have some good news to share but I feel like it will sound a lot better than it really is. Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:35:53 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-19-two-meetings.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-19-two-meetings.htm Christina generously drove me to the DMV to see if my license had ever been suspended for an "unexplained loss of consciousness." We sat there for an hour and a half waiting for I017 to be called before learning there was no restriction on my license, probably because it had never been reported by Kaiser (despite four doctors warning me they would have to suspend it). Fri, 15 Nov 2024 16:39:07 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-15-lift-at-last.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-15-lift-at-last.htm I was looking forward to today's visit with Joyce because she had agreed to let Jayce the Physical Therapist and Cassie the Occupational Therapist use a lift to get her out of bed and into a wheelchair. It would be the first time since she left the hospital that she would be out of bed and in a chair. Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:07:10 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-13-waiting.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-13-waiting.htm After the inside of my skull was imaged this morning, I stopped by the plastic surgery clinic to see if Joyce's fungal culture results had come in. Dr. Tong had said they could be in yesterday or today. But they don't show up on Joyce's test results page. Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:56:14 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-12-clinic-on-tuesday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-12-clinic-on-tuesday.htm I was supposed to get my head examined today but the scan conflicted with Joyce's biweekly debridement at the clinic. So I'll get my head examined tomorrow, if I don't lose it before then. Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:26:45 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-11-another-monday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-11-another-monday.htm Christina arrives at 11 to take me to the SNF in the rain. I grab a slice of the pizza I made last night and off we go. The pizza will be a good test of joyce's sense of taste. Fri, 08 Nov 2024 15:43:27 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-08-friday-forget.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-08-friday-forget.htm Quite a busy day Friday. I was ready for bed about 3 p.m. Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:44:18 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-07-sitting-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-07-sitting-up.htm Our friend Christina picked me up in time to drive to Golden Heights for Joyce's 1 p.m. therapy appointment. Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:28:48 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-06-care-conference.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-06-care-conference.htm This afternoon I met with Deb the Rehab Coordinator, Joseph the Nutritionist and Aaron the Nurse to discuss Joyce's care at Golden Heights. Tue, 05 Nov 2024 08:07:55 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-05-monday-snf.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-05-monday-snf.htm There is no M-F staff at these Golden SNFs. The "weekends" are rotated so any day could be someone's Saturday and Sunday. Still, having been there three days already, I was hoping to I'd have met most of her staff by my visit yesterday, which I planned to make by bus. Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:22:47 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-04-sunday-snf.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-04-sunday-snf.htm Mundstock gave me a lift to Golden Heights yesterday to see Joyce. I brought along a box of Mepilex bandages and an extension cord. Sun, 03 Nov 2024 08:25:53 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-03-golden-heights.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-03-golden-heights.htm Golden Heights is the name of the skilled nursing facility where Joyce has been moved. It's next door to Golden Pavilion where my mother was last year. They seem to be affiliated. Sat, 02 Nov 2024 09:53:44 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-02-on-to-snf.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-02-on-to-snf.htm If Halloween proved anything it's that Joyce isn't able to be at home yet. She's not mobile, won't eat and can't take care of herself even with my help. Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:56:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-01-halloween.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-11-01-halloween.htm Which should be amusing. Male nurses cross dressing with curlers in their wig. Visitors wearing bunny ears. Wed, 30 Oct 2024 21:32:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-30-another-plan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-30-another-plan.htm Before I could leave the house for the hospital, Mary Ann (the patient care coordinator) called to tell me Joyce has been discharged. So she found a bed for her at a facility in Daly City run by the same people who ran the facility my mother had been in. And which, consequently, I was pretty familiar with, having gone there every day for 11 months last year. Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:04:50 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-30-day-races.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-30-day-races.htm A day at the races is a chance to win, even if experience suggests just the opposite. So it was yesterday at Kaiser. Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:40:49 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-28-the-plan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-28-the-plan.htm First, thank you for following developments here. There are about 40 of you, as far as I can tell, and if I had to respond to emails and texts, I'd never get to bed. As it is, typing is still very difficult for me after the concussion, so this is really all I can manage. Fri, 25 Oct 2024 22:06:36 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-25-better-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-25-better-day.htm I got over to the hospital just before 1 p.m. Joyce hadn't eaten yet and was sound asleep in bed. Dr. Pondicherry popped in briefly. She's going off duty for a few days and handing Joyce off. Thu, 24 Oct 2024 22:05:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-24-bad-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-24-bad-day.htm Hoping to catch the physical therapist again today I went over in the afternoon to the hospital and talk to Mary Ann, the patient care coordinator, and Dr. Pondicherry. Wed, 23 Oct 2024 17:59:33 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-23-canceled.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-23-canceled.htm I spent the morning trying to appeal the Livanta denial. I actually reached someone twice. But I was cut off both times and the third attempt got no response other than a leave-your-number. But I don't want to have this conversation on the bus. Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:06:25 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-22-delayed.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-22-delayed.htm It's been a chaotic two days. The dust seems to have settled but you can never tell for sure. Sun, 20 Oct 2024 09:23:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-20-the-plan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-20-the-plan.htm Well, I was minding my own business taking a shower yesterday morning the palliative care team called both phones and left messages. So when I got to the hospital to visit Joyce, I called them back and they visited us. Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:51:41 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-18-improvement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-18-improvement.htm Dr. Amalraj called this morning. She said Joyce is much improved, which I believed because Joyce phoned me last night to chat a bit, something she hasn't done from the hospital. Thu, 17 Oct 2024 16:02:38 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-17-another-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-17-another-day.htm I went to the hospital earlier today to see if I could catch anything. A lot goes on before noon. Wed, 16 Oct 2024 17:30:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-16-chat.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-16-chat.htm Dr. Amalraj has been calling me every afternoon with an update on Joyce's condition. Yesterday I was at Geary and Divisadero in the wind. Today I was going up to the bus stop to visit Joyce. Mon, 14 Oct 2024 19:59:50 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-14-good-news.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-14-good-news.htm So what's going on? you might be wondering. Sat, 12 Oct 2024 21:07:38 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-12-down-and-out.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-12-down-and-out.htm Between 8 and 20 p.m. a plumber is coming to unclog the upstairs toilet which I'd been plunging all afternoon. In desperation I bought a toilet auger but it didn't reach the clog either. Sat, 12 Oct 2024 10:54:56 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-12-down.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-12-down.htm She got out of bed and made it into her room to put on underwear, but fell doing it. I was able to lift her high enough to get her legs under her and her arms on the walker. She steadied herself and finished dressing. Sat, 12 Oct 2024 08:52:26 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-12-she-is-back.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-12-she-is-back.htm Rather than move Joyce to a nursing facility, her doctors sent her home by transport late yesterday. She wasn't able to climb the stairs or to walk very well and is still confused. I was less than amused. Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:56:03 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-10-visiting-joyce.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-10-visiting-joyce.htm I had the third CT scan of my brain in two months today at noon in the same facility Joyce is in. So I went early to spend a few minutes with her on the sixth floor before popping down to the second floor for the scan. Tue, 08 Oct 2024 22:10:27 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-08-er-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-08-er-again.htm Dr. Tong waved me in to the debridement room today to discuss Joyce's situation. Joyce hadn't been able to lie down on her stomach for the procedure. A first. Thu, 03 Oct 2024 14:41:42 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-03-no-improvement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-10-03-no-improvement.htm Last night Joyce fell again. This time she was in bedroom and had tried to sit on the bed but slipped to the floor. Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:03:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-27-return-home.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-27-return-home.htm I got a call yesterday morning from Purple, Joyce's case manager, who told me they were sending her home at 11:30. Joyce herself called to let me know a few minutes later. But shortly after 11:30 she called again to tell me it wouldn't be until 1:30. Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:09:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-26-er.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-26-er.htm On Wednesdays I walk two miles to Trader Joe's in Stonestown, do the half-weekly shopping and grab two buses back (so the frozen foods won't defrost). Lately the new drivers on the 48 line have been skipping the Laguna Honda bar stop (just a painted bar on the street, not shelter or benches at the stop), which adds a quarter mile to my walk. This time the driver stopped short by half a block, which is what was on my mind at noon as I made it onto Ulloa with two bags of groceries. Tue, 24 Sep 2024 18:33:05 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-24-911.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-24-911.htm As I was about to make dinner, I hear a scream from the bedroom. "Help me! Help me!" Joyce is yelling. Tue, 24 Sep 2024 14:32:25 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-24-back-at-the-clinic.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-24-back-at-the-clinic.htm It was a circus this morning as we left for an 11:30 appointment with Dr Tong. Wed, 18 Sep 2024 09:09:36 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-18-an-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-18-an-update.htm Seems like this is the year of Dropping the Ball. Joyce's Tuesday hospital date was cancelled because no operating room was available and nothing has been rescheduled. Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:42:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-11-tong-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-09-11-tong-again.htm Because of my concussion last month, Joyce missed her debridement with Dr. Tong. It was rescheduled for today but I won't be able to drive for some time so we took the 43 Masonic bus at the corner to Geary, hopped a 38 Gear to Divisadero and walked two blocks to the medical building. Sat, 31 Aug 2024 10:38:44 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-08-31-august-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-08-31-august-update.htm I hate to let the month go without an update but it's been an unusual month. Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:24:59 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-07-25-pad.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-07-25-pad.htm The formal name for the poor circulation in the feet is peripheral arterial disease. And the test for it is to measure the ratio of blood pressure at the wrists to that of the ankles. If they're the same, the reading is 1.0. Below 9.0 is considered a problem. Thu, 11 Jul 2024 16:59:14 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-07-11-wellness.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-07-11-wellness.htm It's been over a year since Joyce's last wellness visit so last week I made an appointment for her to see Dr. Brenman today. Thu, 09 May 2024 13:19:21 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-05-09-podiatrist.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-05-09-podiatrist.htm Joyce finally got to a podiatrist today. It was quite an event. Mon, 06 May 2024 18:09:51 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-05-06-protein.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-05-06-protein.htm Clearing out the house after my mother's death in December has been, as Carol Bailey put it, "overwhelming." According to my calculations, I've spent well over 500 hours at it so far. And I'm about halfway through. Sat, 20 Apr 2024 14:57:41 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-04-20-wound-care.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-04-20-wound-care.htm It took a while to get an appointment with Jennifer Spitnale the RN at Kaiser's wound care center, recently relocated from Walnut Creek to Geary St. in San Francisco, close to the hospital Joyce is not fond to return to. But yesterday was the day. Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:59:37 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-02-08-real-id.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-02-08-real-id.htm When we returned to the DMV that fateful Monday, we were able to go early because Kristine the LVN had to come an hour earlier than usual. Sat, 27 Jan 2024 11:41:11 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-01-27-real-id.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2024-01-27-real-id.htm While we tread water with monthly debridements by Dr. Tong at the clinic, Joyce has pursued her driver's license renewal with a Real ID. It expired last November on her birthday and she still hasn't gotten through the renewal process. Sat, 04 Nov 2023 06:06:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-11-04-packing-lists.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-11-04-packing-lists.htm Kristine the LVN took a vacation last month for two weeks, traveling to Sicily and the Philippines, so Francis the LVN stepped in to do the dressing changes. He did just fine but for some reason none of the supply orders he placed were delivered. Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:05:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-09-18-more.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-09-18-more.htm Joyce has two debridements with Dr. Tong this month. She had the first on Friday, Sept. 8, and will have the second on Friday, Sept. 29. Sat, 26 Aug 2023 10:44:44 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-08-26-loose-ends.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-08-26-loose-ends.htm I have to confess to a little fatigue settling in. Running over to the skilled nursing facility for a couple of a hours every day, figuring out what to do for dinner, shopping, keeping two houses maintained, well, it's taking its toll. Fri, 28 Jul 2023 16:22:58 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-07-28-visitors.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-07-28-visitors.htm My phone rang more insistently than usual the other day so I answered it. "They're here!" Joyce said with excitement. Sat, 01 Jul 2023 10:11:43 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-07-01-debridement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-07-01-debridement.htm Joyce had an appointment with Dr. Tong yesterday afternoon. It was her monthly checkup, so to speak, but entailed a bit more. Fri, 23 Jun 2023 18:45:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-06-23-apnea-test.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-06-23-apnea-test.htm So on Tuesday, Joyce and I drove over to Kaiser's French campus and took the elevator up to the fourth floor where they are still practicing Covid prevention quite seriously. Sat, 03 Jun 2023 09:58:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-06-03-oops.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-06-03-oops.htm I woke up this morning with a question. "Didn't Joyce have a sleep apnea appointment on June 1?" Tue, 30 May 2023 17:22:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-05-30-a-chat.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-05-30-a-chat.htm After rescheduling a number of times, Joyce finally got another office visit with Dr. Tong. She didn't get into the 10 a.m. appointment this morning until nearly 10:30 but the case before her was a little more complicated than the patient expected, he said as he left. Wed, 17 May 2023 10:00:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-05-17-test-results.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-05-17-test-results.htm Joyce received the results from her WatchPAT sleep apnea test this morning. The data was inconclusive so she'll have to take it again. Call to reschedule. Tue, 16 May 2023 07:45:45 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-05-16-sleep-test.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-05-16-sleep-test.htm One of the consequences of Joyce's recent wellness visit was to take a sleep test. Yesterday we drove over to the French campus of Kaiser on Sixth Ave. in our old neighborhood to pick up a WatchPAT. Tue, 09 May 2023 14:36:22 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-05-09-mri.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-05-09-mri.htm I took Joyce to Kaiser this morning at 10 a.m. to have two MRIs, one without dye and one with. The MRIs are done in a trailer across the street from the hospital so I sat in a sort of porch to the building housing the reception room while the banging commenced. Fri, 28 Apr 2023 10:16:33 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-04-28-supplies.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-04-28-supplies.htm In the last month, First Choice (the home nursing company Kaiser uses to send a nurse to visit Joyce three times a week) has implemented a new way of providing patients with medical supplies. It's been hilarious. Thu, 27 Apr 2023 22:40:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-04-27-wellness.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-04-27-wellness.htm Joyce had her annual wellness visit today with Dr. Ana Brenman. She hadn't seen her in person since the pandemic, just keeping up blood tests through that period. So there was a lot of ground to cover. Mon, 20 Mar 2023 22:15:38 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-03-20-results.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-03-20-results.htm You probably thought I forgot to tell you about the biopsy results from the Feb. 7 tests. Understandable but we only received them today. Sun, 26 Feb 2023 08:14:24 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-02-26-sunday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-02-26-sunday.htm Some things get resolved, others remain otherwise. Life goes on or it doesn't. And in the meantime you forget the things you can't remember. Wed, 08 Feb 2023 23:16:53 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-02-08-false-alarm.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-02-08-false-alarm.htm Last week I asked Kristine the LVN what she thought about some bumps I had noticed growing on the muscle. She said take a photo and send it to Dr. Tong. So I did. Fri, 20 Jan 2023 16:05:07 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-01-20-oxygen.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-01-20-oxygen.htm Joyce has notoriously been unable to give an oxygen reading as a result of her Raynaud syndrome. The finger oximeter tries to read the blood vessels that are not legible. Mon, 09 Jan 2023 08:57:59 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-01-09-no-cancer.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-01-09-no-cancer.htm On Saturday Joyce received an email from Kaiser that her biopsies from December showed no sign of cancer. Thu, 05 Jan 2023 12:50:07 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-01-05-no-news.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2023-01-05-no-news.htm We've been waiting to hear about Joyce's biopsies, whose results we expected last week. As this week ends, we emailed Dr. Tong to remind her we're waiting for the results. Tue, 20 Dec 2022 16:49:03 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-12-20-tongs-birthday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-12-20-tongs-birthday.htm Joyce had an appointment at the clinic today but we weren't sure until she paid her $15 copay that it was really with Dr. Tong. We'd been seeing her physician assistant for the last few months. Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:54:48 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-11-30-birthday-72.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-11-30-birthday-72.htm Yesterday Joyce celebrated her 72nd birthday with phone calls from all her sisters, even the one who fell asleep watching a movie. It made her day. Tue, 22 Nov 2022 11:51:56 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-11-22-shower-lady.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-11-22-shower-lady.htm This morning Joyce had her first visit with the Shower Lady. Yan Wen the SL (for lack of a better designation) arrived right on the dot and took vitals. Sat, 05 Nov 2022 10:45:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-11-05-the-week.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-11-05-the-week.htm There's an art to catching your breath. You have to do it when nothing else is happening. And a lot happened this week. Fri, 28 Oct 2022 17:25:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-10-28-the-front.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-10-28-the-front.htm Just got back from the clinic where Cat the Physician's Assistant took a look at Joyce's wound. It's the first evaluation Joyce has had since her visit with Dr. Tong in August. Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:24:35 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-10-25-two-updates.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-10-25-two-updates.htm I had sent an email to Cat the Physician's Assistant, who will be examining Joyce this Friday, to ask if there would be a debridement. Because if there was going to be one, Joyce should take an oxycodone an hour before. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 07:48:45 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-10-14-musical-chairs.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-10-14-musical-chairs.htm The visit before she was about to start a week-long vacation, Kristine the LVN texted she couldn't make it because she had gone to the ER the night before with severe pain. Kidney stones. Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:44:27 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-09-30-the-system.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-09-30-the-system.htm As we wait out the year before Joyce undergoes any more aggressive treatment, the system isn't exactly leaving us alone. After Monday's billing adventure, we had a vaccine adventure. Not to mention my mother's trials trying to get vaccines at home. Mon, 26 Sep 2022 12:42:15 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-09-26-billing.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-09-26-billing.htm Today's mail brought Joyce a bill from Dignity Health for $21,029.40. It seems Medicare was a little short on the $54,768 hyperbaric oxygen treatments Joyce had earlier this year. Sat, 24 Sep 2022 07:53:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-09-24-qualifying-visit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-09-24-qualifying-visit.htm Every month the RN visits to do the dressing change and qualify Joyce for continued home treatment three times a week. It's never been an issue with an open wound as large as Joyce's. Yesterday was the qualifying visit for October. Fri, 16 Sep 2022 21:50:35 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-09-16-quiet.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-09-16-quiet.htm This business of treading water until the beginning of next year makes for a lot less news. Very little is going on. One day the same as the next. Thu, 18 Aug 2022 22:38:38 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-08-18-clobetasol.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-08-18-clobetasol.htm At the urging of Francine the LVN, we sent Dr. Tong a few images of the skin around Joyce's wound on Wednesday. And today Dr. Tong emailed us to say she had consulted with Dr. Samsoa, a dermatologist, who had a suggestion. Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:16:08 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-08-15-leftovers.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-08-15-leftovers.htm It occurred to me that you haven't been getting much more than a series of complaints recently. So I thought I'd pick things up a bit with some recipes (mostly for leftovers) that we both enjoyed recently. Fri, 12 Aug 2022 16:42:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-08-12-desitin.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-08-12-desitin.htm You can't see it in the wound pictures but just below the wound where her leg remains swollen, Joyce has developed a patch of rough skin. There's more of the same along the outside edge of her thigh and it itches terribly. Fri, 05 Aug 2022 12:43:40 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-08-05-visit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-08-05-visit.htm Joyce had an appointment with Lady the RN (whose green hair is now blonde) at the plastic surgery clinic this morning. It took half an hour, near the end of which Dr. Tong took a look at where things stand. Then she came into the waiting room to bring me up to date. Mon, 25 Jul 2022 15:10:44 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-07-25-donuts.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-07-25-donuts.htm The clerk at the pharmacy was just alarmed as we were by the price increase in Joyce's Santyl prescription. She confirmed it was the same doctor, same quantity, same prescription as our June 7 order, which cost us $94, not the $360.59 this order was being charged. Sat, 23 Jul 2022 09:53:10 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-07-23-santyl-order.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-07-23-santyl-order.htm This happens every time!" Joyce complained. And she's right. We just can't complete a routine order for Santyl. Not even if it's a reorder of the current prescription. Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:18:56 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-07-21-the-same.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-07-21-the-same.htm That's the question everyone asks me. And the answer is, "The same." Always. Still, it's time for a progress report. Sun, 03 Jul 2022 15:35:14 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-07-03-scones.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-07-03-scones.htm For Sunday brunch we either have bagels or, for a treat, Sconehenge blueberry scones. We both prefer the scones but we don't always get to the market that sells them. Mon, 27 Jun 2022 12:58:49 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-06-27-busy.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-06-27-busy.htm One of life's more amusing ironies is impatiently waiting for someone to finish telling you how busy they are. They always seem to have the time to rattle off the list of crises they are managing so you don't feel bad when they decline your invitation. Tue, 07 Jun 2022 13:54:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-06-07-got-it.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-06-07-got-it.htm I looked up the pending prescriptions at the pharmacy this morning and was pleased to see the notice we got yesterday was for 180g of Santyl at $94. Mon, 06 Jun 2022 14:44:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-06-06-santyl-mystery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-06-06-santyl-mystery.htm On Friday, I called Cat the Physician's Assistant to find out what was going on. She said she'd call the pharmacy and get back to me. And she did within the hour. Fri, 03 Jun 2022 09:13:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-06-03-santyl-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-06-03-santyl-again.htm We've been getting daily texts all week from the Kaiser pharmacy that Joyce's order for two months of Santyl had been delayed... Sun, 29 May 2022 08:51:10 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-29-dancing.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-29-dancing.htm On Friday Julie the Physical Therapist resumed Joyce's treatment after quite a long absence. We hadn't seen her since before the April 27 surgery even though Rhonda had come by to qualify Joyce for the sessions as soon as Joyce came home. Fri, 27 May 2022 14:29:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-27-santyl.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-27-santyl.htm This morning Dana (pronounced Donna) the RN visited to qualify Joyce for continued home nursing and do the dressing change. When it came time to apply the Santyl, she said she'd apply it thickly to the Kerlix gauze rather than directly to the wound. Thu, 26 May 2022 16:15:30 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-26-visit-tong.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-26-visit-tong.htm Joyce had an appointment with Dr. Tong today at 2 p.m. It was the first time she's seen Joyce since the April 27 surgery. And for some reason, that qualifies for no co-pay. Sun, 22 May 2022 08:03:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-22-longer-walk.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-22-longer-walk.htm The trouble with retrenching is that there's nothing to report. Joyce sits in the chair by the piano watching daytime TV or listening to some streaming service on the Google Home mini that plays the Carpenters incessantly. Wed, 11 May 2022 18:05:35 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-11-to-do-list.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-11-to-do-list.htm Getting our afternoons back has been liberating. Suddenly all the things we couldn't do are just waiting for us to check them off the To Do list. Sat, 07 May 2022 05:33:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-07-free.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-07-free.htm Just kidding. We're not suddenly free of anything. But Joyce did avoid a few charges yesterday. Thu, 05 May 2022 10:04:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-05-physical-therapy.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-05-physical-therapy.htm Yesterday after Sami the LVN did the dressing change, Rhonda the Physical Therapist came by. The law, she explains, requires in-home nursing to re-qualify a patient every time they are released from the hospital. That's why Dana the RN comes before Sami can resume visits and why Rhonda has to come before Julie the Physical Therapist can resume sessions. Mon, 02 May 2022 17:56:29 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-02-milestone.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-05-02-milestone.htm Today was a milestone for Joyce. She completed her fortieth hyperbaric oxygen session and the last one Kaiser has approved for now. She was absolutely delighted that it's over. Fri, 29 Apr 2022 22:17:07 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-29-retrenching.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-29-retrenching.htm Dana the RN came today to do Joyce's wet-to-dry dressing but while she was doing it, I got a call from Dr. Tong. For me. Thu, 28 Apr 2022 21:36:30 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-28-home-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-28-home-again.htm Just to confirm: Joyce is back home. It was a whirlwind tour, though. She spent the night in Kaiser hospital after Dr. Tong debrided her just before dinner. She couldn't eat a thing, she told me. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 22:19:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-27-direction.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-27-direction.htm I was able to go to pre-op with Joyce where we discussed the situation with Dr. Tong before the surgery. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 09:17:33 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-27-two-hospitals.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-27-two-hospitals.htm Last night, out of the blue, Salwa the LVN texted us to ask how things were going. She was on the case a very long time and can "literally see the wound in my head without looking at photos to this day," she wrote. I sent her the Google album link on this home page and she took a look. Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:39:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-21-busy-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-21-busy-day.htm We're not sure what's going on with our in-home LVN, the one who does the dressing changes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Vic has been sick, Kristine was filling in for him until this week and Sami has taken over. Mon, 18 Apr 2022 11:02:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-18-morning-monday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-18-morning-monday.htm She hates this. She doesn't want to do it any more. It's painful. Fri, 15 Apr 2022 20:32:11 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-15-jesus.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-15-jesus.htm Good Friday started out well and then took a nose dive around here. By the end of the day all I could think to do was to rant here. Excuse me. Sat, 09 Apr 2022 14:12:42 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/info-healing.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-09-info-healing.htm To get a sense of how the wound is healing for our various care providers, I collected the various images of it in a Google Photos album. Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:05:59 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-05-two-phone-calls.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-05-two-phone-calls.htm After today's hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we came home to await a 4:45 p.m. phone call from Dr. Tong. Mon, 04 Apr 2022 16:11:03 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-04-tylenol.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-04-tylenol.htm Donna the RN came at nine this morning after Joyce had taken a gram of Tylenol to manage the pain of the dressing change. It didn't help. Sun, 03 Apr 2022 12:24:25 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-03-after-surgery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-03-after-surgery.htm At 1:16 a.m. Saturday morning Dr. Tong left a brief voice message telling me Joyce had done well. It's a two-hour surgery, so she must have started around 11 p.m. No other details. Fri, 01 Apr 2022 21:45:55 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-01-week-ends.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-04-01-week-ends.htm The week ends with April Fool's Day. Somehow that feels about right. Thu, 31 Mar 2022 06:49:58 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-31-on-wednesday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-31-on-wednesday.htm Everything happens on Wednesday was a saying of my father's. Wednesday was the day we put the weekly magazine to bed and, uncannily, it always seemed to be the day when the news we were covering came to a head. Tue, 29 Mar 2022 08:09:34 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-29-tuesday-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-29-tuesday-update.htm Tuesday mornings, it has turned out, are my only unscheduled hours of the week. Joyce has mid-morning dressing changes Monday, Wednesday and Friday and physical therapy on Thursdays. Every afternoon is spent at St. Francis for hyperbaric therapy. Thu, 24 Mar 2022 17:56:37 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-24-into-the-chamber.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-24-into-the-chamber.htm Walking around at sea level, the air pressure is one atmosphere. When Joyce goes into the hyperbaric chamber, she's at two atmospheres, approximately the same as 65 feet below sea level without the amusement of exotic fish swimming by. Fri, 18 Mar 2022 17:51:08 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-18-new-plan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-18-new-plan.htm Dr. Tong just called to brief me on today's surgery. Joyce tolerated it well and will be released tomorrow. Tue, 15 Mar 2022 16:33:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-15-surgery-friday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-15-surgery-friday.htm We left the house at 9 a.m. for Joyce's 10 a.m. appointment with Dr. Tong. The Kaiser computers were down when we got there but before we could be called in, they miraculous came to life again and Joyce had to pony up a $15 copay. Sat, 12 Mar 2022 08:15:48 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-12-review.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-12-review.htm Joyce had a busy week, finishing her one-hour morning antibiotic drips, meeting a new physical therapist and a social worker, getting four hyperbaric oxygen treatments and three dressing changes. I had a busy week too, talking to Alexandra the Scheduler, Dr. Tong and Cat the Physician's Assistant as we keep trying to find some way forward for Joyce. Mon, 07 Mar 2022 20:34:49 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-07-beauty.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-07-beauty.htm Too gassed to recount the day, sorry. But it was eventful, starting with the usual IV drip in the morning and a dash to the clinic where Alysse the Physician's Assistant took the Wound VAC dressing off to look at the wound and liked what she saw. Thu, 03 Mar 2022 20:53:07 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-03-rock-and-roll.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-03-03-rock-and-roll.htm There are various ways of abbreviating "and" in Rock and Roll. I find them all a little too cute. Like Ye Old Rock 'n Roll. Because it's the and that makes the point. You're rocked, you roll. Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:57:23 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-28-oxygen.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-28-oxygen.htm This morning, as the IV drip was finishing its hour-long run, Jennifer the Physician's Assistant called to tell us Kaiser has approved Dr. Tong's request for hyperbaric oxygen therapy at St. Francis. Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:04:04 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-28-checklist.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-28-checklist.htm This morning, I'll set Joyce up for her third unsupervised home IV-antibiotic infusion, which takes an hour. We were to get it going at 9:30 a.m. every day so her blood stream always has the antibiotic working for her. Fri, 25 Feb 2022 20:11:19 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-25-home-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-25-home-again.htm So it turns out Joyce didn't have a PICC line inserted from her elbow to her heart. Instead, it was a midline inserted from her elbow to her armpit. Details, details. Fri, 25 Feb 2022 12:02:13 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-25-homecoming.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-25-homecoming.htm Kit the Case Manager called this morning to see when I would be available today to come to the hospital. They want to show me how to deal with the PICC line and change the antibiotic bag. Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:02:31 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-23-a-plan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-23-a-plan.htm I just got off the phone on a conference call with Dr. Tong and Joyce. Earlier today Dr. Tong took a look at the wound when Cat the Physician's Assistant changed the dressing and she wanted to consult with us about what to do next. Thu, 17 Feb 2022 20:51:59 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-17-thursday-report.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-17-thursday-report.htm Joyce didn't get into surgery until around dinner time and I didn't hear from Dr. Tong until about 8 p.m. after she had finished. The news was not good. Wed, 16 Feb 2022 17:21:23 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-16-thursday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-16-thursday.htm Just as I was about to sit down to a simple spaghetti dinner on Valentine's Day, Dr. Tong called. She was in Joyce's room and wanted us to both hear what she had to say so we were all on the same page. Mon, 14 Feb 2022 12:41:04 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-14-valentines-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-14-valentines-day.htm This is the first Valentine's Day Joyce and I won't be together since time began. Covid protocols prevent visitors to the hospital. Sat, 12 Feb 2022 10:12:39 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-12-a-chat.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-12-a-chat.htm In the Old Days, you could call the hospital switchboard and they would connect you to the right room number where a phone would ring and the patient would complain a bit, turn over and then answer. Fri, 11 Feb 2022 11:47:36 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-11-surgery-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-11-surgery-update.htm We are downstairs getting ready to leave for the hospital when I am surprised to see Joyce's pre-surgery box in her hands. She didn't use the disinfectant wipes and she didn't drink the energy drink, which she should have had at 3:30 a.m. She was going to bring it with her. She drank it before we left. Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:35:33 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-10-pre-surgery-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-10-pre-surgery-update.htm Joyce's Covid test was once again negative, we learned promptly the next day. Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:07:47 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-08-covid-test.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-08-covid-test.htm It's been a rocky couple of days for Joyce. She took a bit too much pain medication yesterday for some reason (she wasn't in pain) and was out of it for most of the day. Thu, 03 Feb 2022 20:14:15 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-03-nightly-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-02-03-nightly-update.htm Julie the Physicial Therapist came for the first time yesterday. She'll be back Friday and twice a week for a few weeks. Sun, 30 Jan 2022 08:17:26 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-30-sean.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-30-sean.htm Yesterday at noon Sean the Physical Therapist knocked on the door. Joyce answered it herself. He'd already told her she looked good and what a lovely home she has by the time I made it up from downstairs. Thu, 27 Jan 2022 17:28:38 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-27-surgery-date.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-27-surgery-date.htm This morning I replied to our friend Christina's email question about Joyce's next surgery, telling her, "We're hoping for sometime in February, so don't run out of prayers!" Assuming the Omicron bubble bursts by then. Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:50:14 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-17-supplies.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-17-supplies.htm There must be some sort of metaphor illuminating the dual ongoing issues of Joyce's medical supplies and the rattling dryer vent. I just can't see the connection. But they're clearly orbiting the sun on the same path. Wed, 12 Jan 2022 08:28:41 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-12-supplies-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-12-supplies-again.htm Byram thinks the single order Mediplex pads it supplies should last a month even though the scheme uses two a day (so that supply would last two weeks). I stretch it out by using two 6x6 pads at the top of the wound along with one Mediplex. But even that uses two Mediplex a day. Sat, 08 Jan 2022 08:38:24 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-08-changing-gears.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-08-changing-gears.htm Yesterday Quoia the LVN came with a trainee named Carolyn to change Joyce's dressing. She had asked if that would be OK with us and we had said of course it would. If there's any benefit to going through something like this it's that others will profit from your experience. Thu, 06 Jan 2022 12:10:14 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-06-ten-minutes.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2022-01-06-ten-minutes.htm Today we had a phone chat with Dr. Tong about where we go from here. Earlier when I did Joyce's dressing change, I sent her a photo of the wound to Dr. Tong and she liked what she saw. Thu, 23 Dec 2021 16:29:13 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-12-23-deliveries.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-12-23-deliveries.htm Sorry to leave you hanging on the edge about those supplies. These crises seem to stretch out beyond any firm conclusion. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 05:05:44 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-12-15-another-crisis.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-12-15-another-crisis.htm Last Thursday we ordered 8x9-inch Mediplex bandages from Byram. Dr. Tong had assured us she had talked to the big shots there to make sure we get what we need and enough of it we don't have to order frequently. Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:28:32 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-12-06-a-reward.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-12-06-a-reward.htm Salwa the LVN did Joyce's dressing change this morning, complete with Santyl to fight the yellow slough. Thu, 02 Dec 2021 17:21:06 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-12-02-trekking.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-12-02-trekking.htm Confronted by disappointing news, we decided to do two small things to challenge the fates. Tue, 30 Nov 2021 18:02:08 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-30-three-choices.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-30-three-choices.htm Both of us met with Dr. Tong today at the clinic. It was a relief to her to be able to speak to the two of us in the same room, she said. Mon, 29 Nov 2021 22:05:23 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-29-birthday-71.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-29-birthday-71.htm We had a nice little thrown-together dinner for Joyce's 71st birthday tonight. It started with a Little Original Joe's salad of pickled onions, radishes, kale, blue cheese and half a dozen other things in a lemon dressing. Sun, 28 Nov 2021 21:45:22 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-28-an-improvement.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-28-an-improvement.htm This is just a brief update on the bleeding after surgery to say things have settled down over the weekend. Sat, 27 Nov 2021 10:01:56 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-27-if.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-27-if.htm At 11:30 yesterday I drove Joyce to Kaiser Hospital on Geary where the engineers are still on strike, demonstrating outside the main entrance. I parked in the white zone and walked in with her. The guard said I could go to Admitting with her even with the car in the white zone, so I did. Fri, 19 Nov 2021 20:28:48 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-19-new-date.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-19-new-date.htm Yesterday (well, Thursday), Dr. Tong called to chat. She just wanted to know how things were going. "Horribly!" we screamed. Well, not really. We just told her the yellow slough is winning the war and all the battles, too. Tue, 16 Nov 2021 20:30:48 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-16-striking-out.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-16-striking-out.htm You would think things would be on something of an even keel after nearly a year and a half of this. But here we are with no clue what's going on. Except that it's pretty clear the wound is not healing. Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:31:56 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-11-the-runaround.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-11-the-runaround.htm Very dispiriting week here at the field hospital. We were doing the Santyl dry-to-dry dressings Dr. Tong had ordered, scratching by with supplies, on the expectation that we'd only have to get through Thursday night. Thu, 04 Nov 2021 16:24:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-04-return-trip.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-04-return-trip.htm This afternoon Alysse the Physician's Assistant called. She had been in touch with Dr. Tong who saw yesterday's photo of the wound. And she wants to do a debridement herself in the hospital as soon as possible, which would be Friday, Nov. 12. Wed, 03 Nov 2021 16:41:29 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-03-another-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-11-03-another-day.htm We scrambled to get out of the house suitably medicated (well, Joyce anyway) for a 10:30 appointment at the Plastic Surgery Clinic. The theory is Dr. Tong wants to keep an eye on the wound so the yellow slough doesn't abort recovery again. Sat, 30 Oct 2021 09:14:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-30-resuming.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-30-resuming.htm It's been a while since I've sat down to continue this saga but I have a lot of very good excuses. I'll wrap them all up into one big update. Fri, 22 Oct 2021 19:57:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-22-the-team.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-22-the-team.htm Today's dressing change at 11:30 was quite a spectacle. Joyce was there, of course, but laying on her stomach, she couldn't see anything. Thu, 21 Oct 2021 05:30:33 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-21-laundry.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-21-laundry.htm It's been a difficult week. Joyce has been in a lot of pain but can't remember when she last took Tylenol or Codeine so you just throw up your hands. Fri, 15 Oct 2021 21:16:30 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-15-friday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-15-friday.htm It's been a little busier than usual around here. And a little more difficult. Mon, 11 Oct 2021 20:56:50 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-11-busy-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-11-busy-day.htm It was sunny when Joyce and I took a walk around the block this morning. There was an autumn chill in the air but it was still pleasant. Fri, 08 Oct 2021 21:57:25 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-08-happy-home.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-08-happy-home.htm The Blue Angels escorted Joyce home this afternoon after a 28-day hospital stay. She made it up the first stairs she's navigated in all that time to the front door without the aid of the Fire Dept. this time. Thu, 07 Oct 2021 21:50:11 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-07-last-date.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-07-last-date.htm It occurred to me the other day that this month of separation has been a lot like dating. Joyce lives in one place and I live in another and we meet around dinner time every day and then go for a little walk, chaperoned by the nurses (one of which called me Joyce's LB* tonight). When it's time to go, we kiss good-bye. Wed, 06 Oct 2021 22:13:43 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-06-the-plan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-06-the-plan.htm Joyce called when I was paying my mother's bills to tell me Dr. Tong and Cat the Physicians Assistant wanted to meet with me this afternoon. "Any time," I said. Tue, 05 Oct 2021 17:40:56 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-05-no-drips.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-05-no-drips.htm We must be getting close to release because today they removed the drips. That would be the saline solution and the antibiotic. Joyce took her two laps around the ward today with just the Wound VAC on the pole. Sat, 02 Oct 2021 09:56:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-02-yesterday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-02-yesterday.htm When I visited Joyce yesterday afternoon, she seemed pretty alert for someone who had been knocked out for surgery in the morning. Fri, 01 Oct 2021 10:17:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-01-morning-surgery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-10-01-morning-surgery.htm As it turned out, Joyce never made it into the operating room last night. Instead, Dr. Tong took her in this morning. A few minutes ago Cat the Physician's Assistant called to update me. Thu, 30 Sep 2021 23:58:35 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-30-long-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-30-long-day.htm It was a long day for Joyce. She was told she would have the debridement with Dr. Tong in the operating room with an epidural at noon. Wed, 29 Sep 2021 10:27:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-29-late-date.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-29-late-date.htm I haven't been able to get to the hospital every day. I missed Monday and thought I'd have to miss Tuesday but I realized I don't mind eating dinner in the dark with candlelight so I went over around 6 p.m. and took Joyce for a walk around the ward. Sun, 26 Sep 2021 16:34:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-26-sunday-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-26-sunday-lunch.htm After doing the laundry and housework (and shooting over to Mom's to check on the leaking water heater), I visited Joyce just before lunch at the hospital. Sat, 25 Sep 2021 21:51:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-25-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-25-lunch.htm It was a strange day. We finished our usual Saturday obligations and then drove over to the hospital around lunch time. We checked in (they've had a lot of visitors, the clerk told me) and went up to the fourth floor, which is still six about street level. Sat, 25 Sep 2021 10:12:09 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-25-dressing-change.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-25-dressing-change.htm While Dan Mundstock and I were wrapping up a water heater repair at my mother's house, Dr. Tong called to update me on the day's dressing change. Thu, 23 Sep 2021 21:07:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-23-a-dinner.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-23-a-dinner.htm Late Wednesday Cat the Physician's Assistant called to let me know the visiting restrictions at the hospital had been relaxed. They were now allowing one visitor at a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Just call ahead, she advised. Tue, 21 Sep 2021 10:16:11 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-21-road-map.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-21-road-map.htm This morning I had a long chat with Dr. Tong after she had finished the third surgical debridement of the wound during this admission. "It went well," she said. Fri, 17 Sep 2021 16:03:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-17-tube-removal.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-17-tube-removal.htm At three this afternoon Jenny the Physicians Assistant called out of the blue to update me on Joyce's situation. That makes three different physician assistants calling over 24 hours if you're scoring at home. Thu, 16 Sep 2021 11:57:06 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-16-an-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-16-an-update.htm After I sent an email to Dr. Tong late last night asking for an update (and the out-of-office-until-today reply), I did talk to both Joyce and Elise, another physician's assistant, this morning. Mon, 13 Sep 2021 12:15:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-13-contacting-joyce.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-13-contacting-joyce.htm When I spoke to Joyce this morning, she was distraught. And a bit confused (which I'm chalking up to the anesthesia). Sat, 11 Sep 2021 11:25:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-11-day-after.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-11-day-after.htm Joyce just called. A nurse finally let her have her purse, which is where her iPhone was. It had been locked up in her room. Which is why my texts and calls yesterday went unanswered. Fri, 10 Sep 2021 14:25:22 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-10-round-three.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-10-round-three.htm I didn't change the wound dressing this morning since it wouldn't have been on very long. Joyce did get up at 5:30 to go through the home pre-surgery routine of using the disinfectant. She had the energy drink at 7. Thu, 09 Sep 2021 11:54:11 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-09-supplies-last.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-09-supplies-last.htm Vic the LVN changed Joyce's dressing this morning. That concludes our in-home nursing for this round. Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:47:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-03-back-on-track.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-09-03-back-on-track.htm Late yesterday the graffitied Byram truck pulled up and 48 Mepilex pads were delivered to our door. At last. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 13:14:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-30-canceled-order.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-30-canceled-order.htm When Joyce got a call from Byram today that her Mediplex order had been approved and would be delivered in one or two business days, alarms went off. That's exactly what we heard Thursday. And today is two business days later. And Vic used the last Mediplex this morning to dress the wound. Thu, 26 Aug 2021 16:45:20 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-26-everything.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-26-everything.htm Monday Jennifer the Other Physician's Assistant debrided Joyce's wound at the clinic. She said to let her know if we didn't get any supplies early in the week. And, as you might have guessed, we didn't. Sun, 22 Aug 2021 10:11:43 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-22-still-up-tree.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-22-still-up-tree.htm My email to Dr. Tong on Thursday evening was answered by Jennifer the Other Physician's Assistant, who told us on Friday morning that she had called Kaiser DME to authorize the Mediplex shipment to us again. Fri, 20 Aug 2021 10:33:55 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-20-up-a-tree.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-20-up-a-tree.htm Today began with a knock at the door before 9 a.m. from Mowbry's Tree Service. PG&E, the local utility famous for starting wildfires throughout the state, has engaged them to prune trees threatening power lines. And we have such a tree that cuts a free haircut every two years. Thu, 19 Aug 2021 21:31:57 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-19-no-mediplex.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-19-no-mediplex.htm I watched the non-descript Byram delivery truck decorated with graffiti on the side go right by the house this afternoon. We were expecting the monthly delivery of 120 Mediplex pads delayed because Byram said the order had expired. Thu, 19 Aug 2021 12:03:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-19-no-wait.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-19-no-wait.htm Shamira called today to reschedule surgery at the hospital from Sept. 21 to Sept. 10. Dr. Tong felt it would be better to do it sooner, she said. Wed, 18 Aug 2021 18:57:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-18-deliveries.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-18-deliveries.htm Last night I found myself cutting a fingernail-sized SurePrep wipe in half to conserve our last two, stretching them out to two days instead of one and hoping Ben would bring some Friday. Nuts to that, I said today. Tue, 17 Aug 2021 13:12:50 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-17-rescheduled.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-17-rescheduled.htm No sooner had I arranged my vacation plans for Sept. 10 than Shamira calls to reschedule Joyce's surgery for Tuesday, Sept. 21. Mon, 16 Aug 2021 17:06:17 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-16-the-circus.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-16-the-circus.htm It was time to order supplies again. The big ones. The large Mepilex bandages (we go through four a day) and the Kerlix (each split in half for one a day). We don't use the Web site to order from Byram because the seventh page of the order system is where you find out whether or not you can place an order. Tue, 03 Aug 2021 17:10:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-03-a-year-later.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-08-03-a-year-later.htm Roughly speaking, Joyce had her surgery a year ago. Well, two days from now. But we were already gearing up for it with a Covid-19 test while cleaning and packing the infected wound. Seems like, well, 10 years ago. Thu, 22 Jul 2021 16:37:11 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-07-22-a-party.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-07-22-a-party.htm We had a party today when Joyce's sister Judy drove up from Los Angeles to take us to lunch. We hadn't seen each other for a year and a half. Tue, 13 Jul 2021 12:13:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-07-13-salwa-returns.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-07-13-salwa-returns.htm On Monday, Salwa the LVN returned to do Joyce's dressing. She had gone to Jordon to get her traditional Muslim wedding dress fitted. Thu, 08 Jul 2021 16:45:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-07-08-funny.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-07-08-funny.htm Things didn't go well at the pharmacy yesterday. Both Joyce and I were under the impression that her order for Dakin's Solution and Vashe were ready for pickup. Uh, no. Mon, 05 Jul 2021 10:38:22 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-07-05-catching-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-07-05-catching-up.htm Somehow I'd planned to write this update days ago but there was always one little wrinkle let to smooth out so I kept putting it off. Mon, 28 Jun 2021 17:09:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-28-vashed-out.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-28-vashed-out.htm We have been rationing our supply of Vashe* for weeks now but last week we started dipping into our last 8.5 oz. bottle. Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:15:35 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-25-dr-mike.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-25-dr-mike.htm Yesterday Joyce had her "weekly" debridement at the Plastic Surgery Clinic. This time Cat did it. That's a $10 copay instead of the $20 for Dr. Tong. Both of which are routinely refunded. Mon, 21 Jun 2021 14:09:47 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-21-rough-transition.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-21-rough-transition.htm We were expecting Ben the RN to do the dressing change this morning but when we didn't hear from him, I texted him just after nine to ask what the schedule would be this week without Salwa. Sat, 19 Jun 2021 09:41:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-19-new-pa.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-19-new-pa.htm Salwa the LVN has flown off to Jordan to be fitted for her traditional Muslim wedding dress. It had been shipped to her three sizes too big (well, that was before all that fasting at Ramadan) and the final fitting is as close to the wedding as possible. Sun, 13 Jun 2021 09:34:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-13-day-after-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-13-day-after-day.htm If we're writing less frequently about this long haul it's because it has become routine. One day is much like the next, one week much the same as the previous one. Progress has been slow but steady. Mon, 07 Jun 2021 16:50:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-07-ct-scan.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-07-ct-scan.htm This morning Kaiser's Radiology Dept. called to see if Joyce could drop in today at 3 p.m. for the CT scan Dr. Tong ordered last week. Sure, no problem. Thu, 03 Jun 2021 22:10:40 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-03-i-ok.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-06-03-i-ok.htm We had a nice surprise earlier this week when Andy and Katie dropped by with coffee and a fruit tart. The kids* stayed with Katie's parents so they could get away for a few nights over the holiday weekend. Sat, 29 May 2021 08:05:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-29-test-results.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-29-test-results.htm We never did hear directly from her primary care physician but she did release the test results as they became available. For each test Joyce gets an email notification that she has a secure message in the Kaiser system and that message has a link to her test result. Wed, 26 May 2021 22:04:07 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-26-brenman.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-26-brenman.htm It's 4 p.m. and Joyce has just gone down the hall past the double doors for X-rays on her ankle and knee. On her good leg. Fri, 21 May 2021 12:41:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-21-aldenol.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-21-aldenol.htm Don't look it up, it doesn't exist. It came to me in a dream last night. Aldenol. "You have to get Aldenol for her," some medical professional was telling me. Tue, 18 May 2021 12:10:38 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-18-pedicure.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-18-pedicure.htm The suspense must have been killing you. Apologies for not finishing the episode sooner. We wanted to wait until all the evidence was in before saying anything. Wed, 12 May 2021 16:31:58 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-12-showtime.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-12-showtime.htm That's the title of a new YouTube channel in which my fellow caretakers and I will be showing spouses, companions and friends new to wound care some of the revolutionary techniques we've developed in the last few months. Sun, 02 May 2021 09:17:54 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-02-laughter.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-05-02-laughter.htm Friday we tried to reorder some supplies. Because, you know, you run out of them when you use them. Not everybody appreciates that. Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:47:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-04-29-money-tree.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-04-29-money-tree.htm Tuesday Joyce had a debriding session at the Plastic Surgery Clinic with Dr. Tong who had canceled the previous week's two sessions. In just a couple of weeks, the yellow tissue had grown back over half the wound, so she had some work to do. Sat, 17 Apr 2021 09:05:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-04-17-a-moment.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-04-17-a-moment.htm The week went by in such a blur we thought it was merely a morning and we still had most of it ahead of us. And this was the week Joyce didn't have a single appointment at the Plastic Surgery Clinic. Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:19:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-04-09-recalibrating.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-04-09-recalibrating.htm Yesterday we spent the morning unraveling the mysteries of durable medical equipment, also known as supplies. Joyce's plan (well, mine too) covers 80 percent of the cost of these essentials. In her case (at the moment) they're large Mediplex bandages, abdominal pads, rolls of gauze, Dakin's Solution and Vashe. Wed, 07 Apr 2021 15:02:45 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-04-07-an-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-04-07-an-update.htm Yesterday was the second session at the Plastic Surgery Clinic with Dr. Tong since we've been doing the new routine. That routine is soaking the Kerlix gauze in Dakin's Solution for the morning dressing change and Vashe for the evening. Then an hour before the clinic debridement, I coat the wound in Lidocaine. Tue, 30 Mar 2021 17:57:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-30-junk-food.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-30-junk-food.htm Last night was fast food night. Burgers and pizza. If you can believe that. Fri, 26 Mar 2021 00:28:42 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-26-whirlwind-week.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-26-whirlwind-week.htm It's been an unusually busy week. Monday Joyce had a debridement at the clinic with Cat the PA and we ordered supplies from Byram for the first time. Tuesday she had another with Dr. Tong after Salwa the LVN changed the dressing in the morning and I ran down to Costco and Trader Joe's so the frig would have something to do. Winnie and I had a chat about what to do to speed the healing up on Tuesday. Wednesday we started the new routine and I ran over to Mom's to pay bills and take out the garbage. Thursday Salwa continued it, I shopped for Mom's groceries while Alice is visiting her own mother in Texas and we got our second Pfizer shots. Mon, 22 Mar 2021 21:09:13 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-22-more-please.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-22-more-please.htm This is getting to be like "Oliver Twist". "Please, sir, I want some more," he begs for gruel. But in our case, it's Vashe we want because we only have a day's supply left. Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:49:55 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-19-with-feeling.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-19-with-feeling.htm Yesterday Dr. Tong debrided the wound again, completing the removal of yellow slough she started earlier this month. There is pink tissue now that should grow with an assist from Vashe, a solution that promotes growth and cannot be found anywhere. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 20:05:50 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-10-clinical.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-10-clinical.htm Today Joyce had her second appointment at the Plastic Surgery Clinic with Dr. Tong since the surgery. Like last week, she scraped away more of the yellow tissue so the pink tissue can grow unabated. Thu, 04 Mar 2021 14:38:29 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-04-no-solution.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-03-04-no-solution.htm Dr. Tong added Dakin's Solution to Joyce's medicine cabinet. Or would have if the pharmacy had delivered it. They did call to let us know about it. That she had ordered it but that couldn't ship it and why didn't we just walk over to CVS and buy it off the shelf. Fri, 26 Feb 2021 17:00:38 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-26-half-vaccinated.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-26-half-vaccinated.htm We drove over to the University of San Francisco this afternoon for the first dose of our Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer. We parked in the soccer field's parking lot, which is where our old high school football team field house used to be. Thu, 25 Feb 2021 08:19:42 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-25-vaccines.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-25-vaccines.htm When Caller ID announces Kaiser is calling us, we assume it's for Joyce. I was on my way out the door to my mother's to repair her kitchen pendant light after 60 years of service when Kaiser called yesterday. Mon, 22 Feb 2021 19:57:13 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-22-wet-to-dry.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-22-wet-to-dry.htm I am writing this on Monday evening after making a chopped blue cheese salad, boneless pork chops and spaghetti in a homemade marinara sauce for dinner. Earlier today Joyce had her dressing changed by Cat the Physician's Assistant at the Plastic Surgery Clinic. Thu, 18 Feb 2021 12:16:41 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-18-daughter.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-18-daughter.htm Among the more bizarre voice mails we've gotten was one this week from Cat, the physician's assistance to Dr. Tong. I'd emailed Dr. Tong a few questions (like can we return the Wound VAC now and when does in-home nursing resume) and Cat was going to answer them. Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:32:22 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-15-home-again.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-15-home-again.htm This afternoon I picked Joyce up at the hospital and brought her (and a trunkload of supplies) home. Not a peep from Dr. Tong about her home care yet, though. Sat, 13 Feb 2021 16:18:21 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-13-lunch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-13-lunch.htm Yesterday Joyce called to tell me Dr. Tong wanted me to observe a wet-to-dry dressing change today at 11. Just go to the lobby and tell them your name, she said. You'll be on the list. Fri, 12 Feb 2021 09:44:12 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-12-phone-calls.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-12-phone-calls.htm It's been hard to get in touch with Joyce because her cell phone has been locked up in the closet in her room. So the only way to contact her is through the hospital switchboard. Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:03:21 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-08-multiple-fronts.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-08-multiple-fronts.htm Just talked to Dr. Tong after she finished Joyce's dressing change. But that's not all she did. She's working on multiple fronts to get good tissue growing quicker and manage Joyce's pain. Sun, 07 Feb 2021 12:09:30 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-07-caretaker-holiday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-07-caretaker-holiday.htm Not one to squander an opportunity, I carefully planned this Sunday alone as a caretaker's holiday. Sat, 06 Feb 2021 15:33:15 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-06-brief-chat.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-06-brief-chat.htm I very briefly talked to Joyce this morning before the anesthesiologist popped in, presumably to convince her to let them put the catheter in place for pain management. Fri, 05 Feb 2021 17:07:52 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-05-late-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-05-late-update.htm Just got off the phone with Dr. Tong after she cleaned up Joyce's wound a little later today than she had hoped. As an "add-on" surgery, Joyce had to wait until the more major surgeries were completed -- and things got backed up today. Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:36:47 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-05-difficult-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-05-difficult-day.htm It has been a difficult day here. And it isn't over. Skip to the end for the latest. Thu, 04 Feb 2021 09:30:19 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-04-ama.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-04-ama.htm After emailing Dr. Tong last night to ask her to explain what she planned to do tomorrow and who long Joyce would be in the hospital, she called this morning. Joyce spoke to her for about five minutes, getting a much different picture of what lies ahead. Tue, 02 Feb 2021 12:17:57 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-02-redrape-test.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-02-redrape-test.htm I was minding my own business downstairs when I heard, "Mike! Mike!" I seemed to recognize the voice. "I need you!" It was Joyce. Mon, 01 Feb 2021 16:43:10 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-01-overwhelming.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-02-01-overwhelming.htm Late this afternoon Joyce got a call from Kaiser to set up an appointment tomorrow morning for a Covid-19 test. You still need a clean test within four days of surgery to clear you for hospital admittance. This will do that. Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:41:55 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-25-the-verdict.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-25-the-verdict.htm Salwa the RN arrived this morning to do the dressing change after I had changed the canister on the Wound VAC about 12 hours later than usual. Did the Adaptic have anything to do with that? Fri, 22 Jan 2021 13:28:17 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-22-laura.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-22-laura.htm Every month or so Joyce has to be visited by a registered nurse to confirm she still requires in-home nursing. Tyler the RN left the company earlier this month so it fell to Laura the RN to do the dressing change today and confirm care. Mon, 18 Jan 2021 10:20:32 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-18-walking-weather.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-18-walking-weather.htm We had some warm sunny days in the sixties this weekend so I persuaded Joyce to take a walk. She's been housebound for weeks this winter, only leaving for her two clinic visits. Thu, 14 Jan 2021 15:55:07 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-14-the-usual.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-14-the-usual.htm So we arrive at the Plastic Surgery Clinic at 1:30, right on schedule. The check-in clerk looks at Joyce like he's seeing a ghost. "Just a minute," he says, after consulting his monitor. Mon, 11 Jan 2021 12:09:12 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-11-the-latest.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-11-the-latest.htm We have another appointment at the Plastic Surgery Clinic this week. Neither of us has any idea why. And it's scheduled for Thursday, which is off schedule for dressing changes. Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:30:26 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-04-at-the-clinic.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2021-01-04-at-the-clinic.htm We drove over to the Plastic Surgery Clinic on Divisadero today for Joyce's 2:30 appointment, parking in the adjacent garage to avoid the rain. Except the rain had stopped, the storm has passed, the sky was blue, the sun was shining. Thu, 31 Dec 2020 10:15:32 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-31-year-ends.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-31-year-ends.htm This morning on the last day of the year, I changed the canister on the Wound VAC and moved the lily pad to a more secure spot on the dressing. The pump had been racing all night to keep up the pressure. Mon, 28 Dec 2020 12:25:04 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-28-christmas-miracle.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-28-christmas-miracle.htm When Salwa the LVN arrived this morning to do the dressing change, she asked how our Christmas was. It was Christmas miracle, I told her. The Wound VAC has been silent at full pressure since Tony the LVN did the dressing change Christmas morning. Sun, 27 Dec 2020 11:39:25 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-27-that-surgery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-27-that-surgery.htm We did hear from Dr. Tong just before Christmas Day. She had a suggestion for a slight change to the dressing (along with her advocacy of the black foam) but she also addressed the surgery question. Wed, 23 Dec 2020 22:16:38 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-23-lily-pad.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-23-lily-pad.htm Well, it's been a while because it's been a while. Sorry. That's the nature of the beast. Sit and wait, then sit and wait some more. Today was eventful, though, so I have something to tell you. Mon, 14 Dec 2020 11:54:19 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-14-white.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-14-white.htm Salwa the LVN just did Joyce's dressing change this morning and that's news. On Friday, she replaced the black foam with white foam and asked Tyler the RN to do black foam today. So we were expecting to see him but he thought it was best for Salwa to stick with the white. Wed, 09 Dec 2020 16:53:05 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-09-appointment.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-09-appointment.htm Yesterday Joyce told me that Lady, who is Dr. Tong's nurse (that's her first name), called to tell her that even though Dr. Tong can't make the appointment on Wednesday, she should come in anyway to get the wound irrigated. Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:57:08 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-07-head-revised.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-07-head-revised.htm Salwa the LVN couldn't make it this morning due to a minor family emergency so Toni the LVN stepped in. You really appreciate the difficulty of dealing with Joyce's wound when you see someone new try to deal with it. Sun, 06 Dec 2020 20:56:48 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-06-week-ahead.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-06-week-ahead.htm It's been quiet around here for a few days. Joyce has spent most of that lying on the bed with the TV on. Not sure she's actually watching anything, but passing the time. Tue, 01 Dec 2020 14:07:53 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-01-thank-you.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-12-01-thank-you.htm The form to send Joyce a text on her birthday didn't have any way of knowing your phone number so I just popped in mine as the sender. So all during the day, as Joyce kept trying to say, "Thank you so much!" to everyone who texted her I kept getting thank-you's from her. Fri, 29 Nov 2020 01:10:45 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-27-tyler-returns.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-29-seventy.php Today is Joyce's 70th birthday. To celebrate, we thought we'd do a little slide show of some of her previous birthdays (in order) since the dawn of digital photography. Fri, 27 Nov 2020 19:44:45 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-27-tyler-returns.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-27-tyler-returns.htm Every 30 days Tyler the RN has to do the dressing change to recertify Joyce's continued treatment at home. Or something like that. Anyway, Salwa the LVN cleverly arranged for him to do that the day after Thanksgiving. So he came a little after nine this morning. Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:54:18 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-26-bird-in-bag.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-26-bird-in-bag.htm We just returned from a walk up to the corner and back. It was too windy and cold for Joyce to continue so we came home. Time to put the bird in the oven anyway. Sun, 22 Nov 2020 21:11:57 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-22-shopping-spree.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-22-shopping-spree.htm So there we were, running on the Wound VAC's battery while standing in line at the Apple Store already half an hour after our appointment. I made up various dire scenarios to amuse myself. "Sir, we are on battery support with just 20 minutes remaining." Fri, 20 Nov 2020 21:51:59 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-20-video-visit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-20-video-visit.htm It turns out that the placement of the lily pad on the white foam makes quite a difference in the Wound VAC's activity. When Salwa moved it to a new location on Monday it was quieter. And when she moved it to yet another on Wednesday it was even better. Mon, 16 Nov 2020 13:34:54 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-16-good-report.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-16-good-report.htm At the dressing change today, Salwa the LVN was delighted. She pointed out the skin on the side of the wound closest to Joyce's other leg had nearly closed and the tissue at the top of the wound was nearly fully replaced. Sun, 15 Nov 2020 09:06:23 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-15-weekend-alarms.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-15-weekend-alarms.htm Since the dressing change on Friday, Joyce has been getting a lot of blockage alarms from the Wound VAC. We can see the bubbles move from the wound to the canister on the Wound VAC but it still complains about blockage. Fri, 13 Nov 2020 13:14:02 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-13-weekly-roundup.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-13-weekly-roundup.htm Salwa the LVN has been here a couple of times since my last report. The progress she thought she noticed on Wednesday was confirmed today. The wound is measurably smaller. By a centimeter. Mon, 09 Nov 2020 16:46:51 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-09-wine-stains.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-09-wine-stains.htm Salwa the LVN changed the dressing today, noting a slightly stronger smell from the wound and some swelling of the leg. But she applauded Joyce's walks this weekend and promised to call Dr. Tong to update her. Sun, 08 Nov 2020 08:42:09 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-08-laundry-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-08-laundry-day.htm Today is laundry day, the first time I will actually use both new Whirlpool appliances to wash and dry our laundry. Same old clothes, new fresh scent. A metaphor, I suppose, for the nation at large after this election. Sat, 07 Nov 2020 09:25:19 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-07-a-god.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-07-a-god.htm When things would unexpectedly break right once in a blue moon (we had one on Halloween), my father would say, "There is a God." He passed away 15 years ago this week but I could hear his voice again this morning. Mon, 02 Nov 2020 14:17:00 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-02-lidocaine.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-02-lidocaine.htm Joyce forgot to take Oxycodone this morning before her dressing change. Peeling the drape off her skin (like pulling a bandage off skin with hair) is painful. And pulling the old foam off the wound tears new growth. Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:05:40 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-01-at-long-last.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-01-at-long-last.htm The installers from DSI Logistics called about 40 minutes before they arrived to let us know they had a dryer from Lowe's for us. Sun, 01 Nov 2020 02:52:24 PST http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-01-the-record.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-11-01-the-record.htm Saturday afternoon Apria's big truck parked in front of the house to deliver three cases of white foam. Sat, 31 Oct 2020 09:01:57 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-31-waiting-for-supplies.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-31-waiting-for-supplies.htm Yesterday afternoon, I logged onto the Apria site to see if there was a way to track shipments. Joyce had ordered 20 large white foam packs (she needs three for each dressing change) on Wednesday after Salwa had used the last one. She had asked for a Friday delivery. Fri, 30 Oct 2020 13:10:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-30-recipes.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-30-recipes.htm I remember promising you two recipes a few weeks ago and now that the month is wrapping itself up, I thought I'd do just that. Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:06:51 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-26-bathroom-rug.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-26-bathroom-rug.htm We were surprised to get a text from Tyler the RN this morning telling us he would be doing the dressing change today. It turns out he had to re-certify Joyce for continued in-home care. Every two months. Sun, 25 Oct 2020 12:27:57 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-25-sunday-wash.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-25-sunday-wash.htm Sunday is wash day. I tried to make that clear to Lowe's. Anyone at Lowe's. But not Wilma. Never did reach Wilma. Fri, 23 Oct 2020 19:35:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-23-fawlty-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-23-fawlty-update.htm I'm beginning to think I've crossed through the TV screen into an episode of "Fawlty Towers". Nothing goes right. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 17:06:10 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-21-brief-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-21-brief-update.htm Salwa's funny. Confronted with Lidocaine in a white cream instead of transparent gel this morning, she said, "That's good. I can see what I've put on." As if it were a mystery before. Mon, 19 Oct 2020 17:36:08 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-19-monday-monday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-19-monday-monday.htm Yeah, that old the Mamas & the Papas song. "Monday, Monday", what else can you say? Sun, 18 Oct 2020 12:19:59 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-18-first-wash.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-18-first-wash.htm Yesterday we read the manual for the new washer. It recommended running an empty load to clean out the washer before doing the first real load. So we did that. Fri, 16 Oct 2020 08:45:33 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-16-good-bad-news.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-16-good-bad-news.htm Good news first. The visit with Dr. Tong yesterday went very well. And even Dr. Tong, who had not been anxious to do it, said it was a good thing Joyce came in to appraise her progress. Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:10:46 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-14-so-it-goes.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-14-so-it-goes.htm Late yesterday afternoon we drove over to the Kaiser medical building on Geary to pick up a prescription for an antibiotic Dr. Brenman had ordered. After consulting with Dr. Tong, they wanted to protect Joyce against the possibility of an infection. Tue, 13 Oct 2020 10:41:08 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-13-good-apology.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-13-good-apology.htm Last night was a rough one. (And not just for the Dodgers.) Mon, 12 Oct 2020 10:51:42 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-12-negative.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-12-negative.htm Last last night Dr. Brenman emailed Joyce to tell her the sonogram was negative for a blood clot. Meaning the sonogram didn't show a blood clot. Dr. Brenman said she'd be happy to look at the swelling if Dr. Tong doesn't think it's related to the wound. Fri, 09 Oct 2020 21:53:03 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-09-still-waiting.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-09-still-waiting.htm Well, I didn't think that was the end of the story yesterday but it was. We never did get the results of the sonogram. Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:56:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-08-sonogram.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-08-sonogram.htm This morning Kaiser scheduled an ultrasound for Joyce at 1:10 p.m. But we forgot something. We had a delivery from Apria of Wound VAC supplies coming. Wed, 07 Oct 2020 20:17:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-07-postscript.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-07-postscript.htm It seems some things never end. Quite. And today was one of those things that never ends. In fact, we're probably premature writing this "postscript." Wed, 07 Oct 2020 12:53:00 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-07-plot-thickens.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-07-plot-thickens.htm So I went upstairs to start dinner, as I confided in yesterday's post, in an attempt to hurry the Wound VAC delivery. And just as I had suspected, as soon as I opened the refrigerator door to pull out something to cook, Joyce announced, "It's here!" Tue, 06 Oct 2020 17:33:45 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-06-activac-dies.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-06-activac-dies.htm The Wound VAC gave up the ghost this afternoon just after 3 p.m. when I was changing the canister. I pressed the power button to turn it back on and ... nothing. Sun, 04 Oct 2020 13:58:27 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-04-recipe.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-04-recipe.htm The Wound VAC is still acting up at 5 a.m. with various complaints. Resetting it by turning the power off a minute and then back on seems to help. But only when we replace the canister, do we get any relief from the beeps. Fri, 02 Oct 2020 11:59:40 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-02-more-fun.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-10-02-more-fun.htm The Wound VAC's job is to suck fluids from the wound through the foam dressing. It does this constantly. You can disconnect it briefly but it's designed to run 24 hours a day in bursts of five minutes with two minutes off. Wed, 30 Sep 2020 17:01:38 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-30-carrying-on.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-30-carrying-on.htm Sorry it's been a few days (although you could probably use the break). But herewith, I'll carry on. Sat, 26 Sep 2020 13:53:00 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-26-celebrate.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-26-celebrate.htm Today is a Big Day around here. For one thing, Joyce took a long walk up the hill and into Rockridge Terrace for a view north. And she sat on the patio for a while after, getting her Vitamin D, before climbing the stairs for lunch. Fri, 25 Sep 2020 17:06:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-25-doorbell.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-25-doorbell.htm At precisely 10 a.m., the doorbell rang. Salwa had finally figured it out. When I praised her ingenuity, she joked that she had gone to strength training classes to prepare for the event this morning. Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:07:33 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-24-dates.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-24-dates.htm After our Tuesday washer and dryer delivery was mysteriously canceled by a hold no one can explain, we haven't gotten a new date from Lowe's. When we check the order online, it says "Ready for Delivery" with a delivery date of Sept. 22. Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:10:25 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-22-deliveries.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-22-deliveries.htm Early this morning Apria called. It delivered our order by FedEx yesterday but it was only one box, not the two we ordered. I had called to make sure we were getting billed for what they delivered and not what we ordered. And to, uh, get the rest of our order. Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:08:35 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-22-phone.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-22-phone.htm I got the message. You've called but there's no answer. I can explain. Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:44:03 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-21-monday-monday.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-21-monday-monday.htm Salwa did the dressing change this morning, during which she took a photo of the wound, texted it to me and I emailed it to Dr. Tong so she'd have the latest information. Sun, 20 Sep 2020 09:57:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-20-mri.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-20-mri.htm Saturday began with an illuminating piece on NPR that explained why our new washer and dryer has not arrived yet. Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:03:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-18-conference.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-18-conference.htm This afternoon Joyce had a video conference with Dr. Tong, their first chat since she left the hospital. Thu, 17 Sep 2020 14:53:22 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-17-long-haul.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-17-long-haul.htm Yesterday was a busy day with Salwa's first solo dressing change, ordering more supplies, chores at my mother's and the laundry. But at least we had good air quality for the first time all week. Tue, 15 Sep 2020 18:00:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-15-checking-in.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-15-checking-in.htm Sorry for leaving you up in the air about Joyce all day. She took a wait-and-see approach, not calling back to schedule an MRI (who needs that co-pay). Tyler did call to see if she was all right, though. Mon, 14 Sep 2020 23:31:37 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-14-three-words.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-14-three-words.htm An hour after I wrote that Apria hadn't delivered Joyce's supplies, they arrived at the door. Just not quite the quantity I was expecting, so I'll be reordering before the week is out. Mon, 14 Sep 2020 17:23:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-14-deliverables.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-14-deliverables.htm As sister-in-law Judy1 once pointed out (long, long ago) you will distinguish yourself if you merely do what you say you will do. She was talking about working with clients but it's apparently a general rule of the universe. Sat, 12 Sep 2020 10:59:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-12-mountain-air.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-12-mountain-air.htm When a member of the Giants organization tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday, the game against the Padres was canceled (as is today's game), so we grabbed our iPhone, opened the Hoopla app and looked for a movie from our public library account. Fri, 11 Sep 2020 17:20:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-11-surprises.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-11-surprises.htm Do you hate surprises? Well, today brought more than one of them. See what you think. Thu, 10 Sep 2020 22:07:10 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-10-nothing-happened.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-10-nothing-happened.htm Before I hit the sack, I thought I'd just let you know that nothing happened today. I don't want you to worry. Wed, 09 Sep 2020 14:51:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-09-apocalyptic-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-09-apocalyptic-day.htm It's been an apocalyptic day here. At dawn, the darkness yielded to a scattered golden light that gradually turned the sky black. Smoke from the wildfires to the north had blown over our fog, creating something like a total eclipse of the sun. Wed, 09 Sep 2020 07:49:25 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-09-first-pt-appointment.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-09-first-pt-appointment.htm Joyce has two things on her menu today. It all starts with a dressing change this morning. And in the afternoon, she'll have her first workout with the physical therapist. Tue, 08 Sep 2020 12:27:55 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-08-cycles.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-08-cycles.htm To the side of the main entrance to Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco there's a metal sculpture by Roger Barry called "Cycle". Waiting for Joyce to be wheeled out after an add-on surgery, we spent some time getting acquainted with it. Mon, 07 Sep 2020 16:40:32 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-07-radiation-damage.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-07-radiation-damage.htm After the post showing the wound (optionally), there has been some interest in what the area looked like before the recent surgery. Mon, 07 Sep 2020 10:45:05 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-07-the-wound.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-07-the-wound.htm This morning Joyce had her second in-home wound irrigation, dressing change, sponge replacement. It goes by all those names but it's all the same process, begun half an hour before with Oxycodone, Tylenol and Ativan. Sat, 05 Sep 2020 13:00:06 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-05-progress-report.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-05-progress-report.htm I wouldn't write a progress report unless there was, you know, some progress to report. And there actually was some today. Fri, 04 Sep 2020 17:02:13 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-04-quiet-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-04-quiet-day.htm Joyce spent a quiet day in the house, resting. And I took advantage of the day free of nurses, doctors and healthcare services to buy some soap, drain cleaner and groceries. The little necessities of life. Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:07:15 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-03-dressing-change.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-03-dressing-change.htm I called Apria again in the morning to track the canisters and other supplies. Trish sent an email to the local facility urging them to get them here. She noted the file had a four-hour delivery request yesterday too. Thu, 03 Sep 2020 02:50:38 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-03-nothing.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-03-nothing.htm Since I'm up at 2:24 a.m. anyway, I thought I'd report that after all that Apria did not deliver the canisters tonight. Is it still tonight? Wed, 02 Sep 2020 18:03:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-02-meds.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-02-meds.htm This morning Joyce was evaluated by Steven for physical therapy sessions with Alpha starting next week. He didn't think she needed a commode or walker or cane or any of the cool things Medicare club members get. She just needed strength exercises. Wed, 02 Sep 2020 04:24:16 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-02-feast-day.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-02-feast-day.htm It's three in the morning. The Wound VAC was beeping. Without awakening Joyce. I got up, took a look. "Canister Full!" It hasn't even been 24 hours. I turn the pump off. Tue, 01 Sep 2020 09:01:18 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-01-day-breaks.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-09-01-day-breaks.htm If you ever get impatient waiting for some phone call, the trick is to turn on the stove. One burner will do but two is quicker. And if you drop some nice piece of fish that can only flounder in the skillet for less than two minutes a side, the results will be instant. Mon, 31 Aug 2020 16:50:26 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-31-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-31-update.htm Yesterday was difficult. Today is maddening. And tomorrow is another day. In between are the nights with alarms going off and a jack hammer in the distance. Sat, 29 Aug 2020 12:21:53 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-29-white-horse.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-29-white-horse.htm Rough night. The little Wound VAC was beeping all night. "Low Pressure Alert!" it would complain. Or "Blockage Alert!" Fri, 28 Aug 2020 22:32:13 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-28-dinner.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-28-dinner.htm Joyce slept all afternoon (and went to bed early, too). At dinner she said she felt a lot stronger than she felt in the hospital. And she likes the food here, too. Fri, 28 Aug 2020 14:33:53 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-28-smart.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-28-smart.htm Joyce slept in today. About 15 minutes before the home healthcare nurse was to arrive, I roused her. She was sitting on the edge of the bed when I heard a knock on the door. I happened to be on the phone with Dr. Tong at that particular moment. Thu, 27 Aug 2020 21:41:17 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-27-carried.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-27-carried.htm Around 5 p.m. I did get a call from Maria1 to come pick up Joyce at the hospital. So I drove over there and called the number she gave me. Someone not named Maria answered. But she was able to inform the people who needed to know that Joyce's carriage had arrived. Thu, 27 Aug 2020 16:40:11 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-27-return.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-27-return.htm I took Joyce through these majestic doors at 11 this morning for her scheduled sponge replacement procedure. It's 4 p.m. now and that was the last I saw of her. Wed, 26 Aug 2020 17:32:21 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-26-home.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-26-home.htm Around 3:30 p.m. I drove over to Kaiser Hospital and double parked in the white zone along with the other hopefuls waiting for our patients. You know, right at the shift change. Wed, 26 Aug 2020 13:38:07 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-26-hitch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-26-hitch.htm I did hear from Kaiser just before 11 this morning. A fellow named Mike called to tell me he was taking care of Joyce. He's one of the nurses, Joyce told me later. Tue, 25 Aug 2020 15:30:56 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-25-tomorrow.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-25-tomorrow.htm When Joyce got wind of the plan to release her today, she vetoed it. "I have to pack!" she complained. Tue, 25 Aug 2020 12:54:59 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-25-news.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-25-news.htm As I was walking to the Post Office to mail some checks I got a phone call from Dr. Suh. She isn't in the system yet, she laughed, when I told her I looked for after Joyce told me she'd met with her. Mon, 24 Aug 2020 14:28:31 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-24-in-and-out.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-24-in-and-out.htm It's 2:20 and Joyce just called, already back from recovery after Dr. Tong herself did the sponge replacement around 1:30. So the mysterious Dr. Suh remains mysterious. Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:57:00 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-24-afternoon-surgery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-24-afternoon-surgery.htm Joyce met with a Dr. Suh this morning who will be performing the sponge replacement at 2:30 this afternoon. I've been unable to find a Dr. Suh listed at this Kaiser facility. Sun, 23 Aug 2020 09:22:00 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-23-fall-risk.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-23-fall-risk.htm Joyce called this morning, which was a surprise in itself. I usually call her. So I suspected something was up. Actually, something was down. Joyce. Sat, 22 Aug 2020 21:47:48 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-22-late-night.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-22-late-night.htm So how does this sound to you? Filet of salmon with a side of polenta. Oh, come on. How about if we add a packet of Mrs. Dash? No self-respecting hospital serves a meal without Mrs. Dash. Fri, 21 Aug 2020 14:56:57 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-21-loose-ends.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-21-loose-ends.htm I didn't talk to Joyce today until this afternoon. I had to run over to her bank to deposit two $10 checks from Kaiser for overpayments (imagine) and then over to Kaiser to drop off Whitney's1 letter (which she just loved). Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:37:49 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-20-surgery-update.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-20-surgery-update.htm I had a nice, long chat with Dr. Tong this afternoon as soon as I got home from a long walk during which I had a nice, long chat with Carol1. Thu, 20 Aug 2020 11:16:37 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-20-afternoon-surgery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-20-afternoon-surgery.htm Today Joyce said she expects to go to surgery for her sponge replacement this afternoon. So she hasn't had anything to eat since yesterday. Which, considering her dislike of the food, might be considered a relief. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 14:48:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-19-more.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-19-more.htm Dr. Tong called today while I was taking the garbage out at my mother's so I missed her call. But she always leaves a voice message. And she answered all three questions. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 10:35:10 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-19-view-of-room.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-19-view-of-room.htm This morning we were surprised with a photo of Joyce's room. We've been pestering her for some on-site reporting and this morning she came through. Tue, 18 Aug 2020 22:37:39 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-18-two-books.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-18-two-books.htm Late today the hospitalist Alison Cooke dropped by to see Joyce and give her two novels to read: "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Díaz and "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro. Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:55:28 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-18-late-report.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-18-late-report.htm Sorry my report today is a bit late. I was holding it hoping I'd hear from the surgeon. Things must be getting pretty routine. Mon, 17 Aug 2020 12:32:20 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-17-hospitalist.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-17-hospitalist.htm I talked with Joyce around noon today while she was sitting in a chair waiting for her hair to dry. "They don't have any hair dryers here," she said. Sat, 15 Aug 2020 10:51:57 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-15-apple.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-15-apple.htm It was so hot yesterday that I had to find somewhere other than the house to put my feet up and enjoy the isolation. Fortunately there was a slight breeze off the ocean that cooled the patio in the afternoon shade, so I sat out there to recover. Fri, 14 Aug 2020 10:14:04 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-14-early-surgery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-14-early-surgery.htm Dr. Tong called early this morning to let me know today's sponge replacement went well again. She said the wound looks very good and is healing well. Thu, 13 Aug 2020 09:42:02 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-13-bad-hair.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-13-bad-hair.htm Today's the day. Not for surgery (that's tomorrow). For a shampoo. "It's amazing the things they don't care about," Joyce said when I talked to her this morning. Wed, 12 Aug 2020 13:42:18 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-12-noon-news.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-12-noon-news.htm When I talked to Joyce today she was weary of hospital life. "I just want to come home," she said. Tue, 11 Aug 2020 17:32:24 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-11-evening-news.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-11-evening-news.htm I tried to talk to Joyce a couple of times this morning but she wasn't answering. She had a good reason, though. She was among the first surgeries today. Mon, 10 Aug 2020 10:30:40 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-10-daily-briefing.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-10-daily-briefing.htm Well, it seems like things are settling into a daily routine for Joyce now. She is scheduled for two add-on surgeries this week. The first is tomorrow and the second is Friday. She'll probably do the same the following week. Sun, 09 Aug 2020 09:49:36 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-09-wound-vac.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-09-wound-vac.htm I spoke with Dr. Tong this morning at 9 a.m. and got a clearer picture of where Joyce is at the moment. A picture that was clouded last night when Joyce called to say they were thinking of sending her home today or tomorrow. Sat, 08 Aug 2020 13:43:35 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-08-mail.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-08-mail.htm Neither fog nor wind nor the PGA Championship at Harding Park could keep us from delivering the mail to Joyce today. Buses being Vehicles of Contagion, we drove over to the hospital, parked on the street and dropped off her mail. Sat, 08 Aug 2020 08:28:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-08-breakfast.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-08-breakfast.htm Just after I made a nice big latte for breakfast, Joyce called to say good morning from her suite in the palatial Kaiser Tower on Geary Blvd. She needed something to do while she waited for her breakfast to arrive. Sat, 08 Aug 2020 07:49:22 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-08-no-news.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-08-no-news.htm I talked to Joyce around 7:30 last night. She was waiting to be taken to surgery at any minute. A few hours later I called it a night without hearing what had happened. Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:21:01 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-07-sitting-up.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-07-sitting-up.htm Joyce has finally gotten out of bed. A milestone. They want her to sit in a chair for an hour. So that's what she's doing right now, after washing for the first time since she was admitted (but you didn't need to know that). Fri, 07 Aug 2020 10:45:24 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-07-getting-in-touch.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-07-getting-in-touch.htm If you want to get in touch with Joyce, there are a number of ways to do it. I'll list them here and add to the list if more come to light. Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:24:19 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-06-twelve.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-06-twelve.htm Chatted with Joyce this afternoon but she could hardly speak. She's feeling a lot more pain today, she said. Thu, 06 Aug 2020 09:47:23 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-06-rough-night.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-06-rough-night.htm When I talked with Joyce this morning she'd already had breakfast, seen Dr. Tong and had blood drawn for another blood test. She said it felt like it was dinner time already. Wed, 05 Aug 2020 15:50:27 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-05-in-the-room.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-05-in-the-room.htm I just got off the phone with Joyce who finally got a room of her own with a view south. She sounded hoarse but in much better spirits than she has been lately dealing with the pain and infection. Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:34:18 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-05-recovery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-05-recovery.htm I just called the hospital to see what's going on. Joyce is still in recovery. The surgeon had thought she'd be in a room by noon but floor nurse said that wasn't unusual. Wed, 05 Aug 2020 10:34:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-05-first-surgery.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-05-first-surgery.htm A few moments ago, Kaiser sent a text to let me know Joyce's surgery had been completed. And right after that Dr. Tong called for the post-game interview. Here's the report. Wed, 05 Aug 2020 05:57:40 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-05-waiting.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-05-waiting.htm We drove over to Kaiser Hospital on Geary in the dark this morning, watching three raccoons cross the road in front of us into Golden Gate Park. Tue, 04 Aug 2020 10:17:52 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-04-schedule.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-04-schedule.htm While we don't know how long Joyce's surgery will last tomorrow, we do know what time it starts. And how early in the morning Joyce has to get up, too. Early. Mon, 03 Aug 2020 08:52:54 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-03-covid.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-08-03-covid.htm Good news. Joyce took a Covid-19 test on Saturday to clear her for surgery Wednesday. Today she got the verdict: Not Detected. So she's good to go. Mon, 30 Jul 2020 22:15:15 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-07-30-visit.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-07-30-visit.htm Joyce had her in-person visit with Dr. Tong just a day after the video call. Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:02:14 PDT http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-07-29-tong.htm http://mikepasini.com/joyce-kp/2020-07-29-tong.htm Today Joyce had a video conference with Dr. Winnie Tong, another surgeon, who reviewed her recent CT scan and said the abscess was so large it would require surgery to clean out before it can heal. And it may require multiple surgeries to address.