Table problems with mixed vertical and horizontal text

I've been assigned to make a Word table to look EXACTLY like an
AutoCAD table for text input. This is a 5 column table on landscape
11 x 17 paper. The first 4 columns are normal text that will be
formatted in outline form. The last one is a narrow column, divided
into 8 rows with vertical text inside them. One of the rows is
further divided into 3 columns on the left side and two on the right
with lines separated by tiny spaces (additional columns to define
space?) for input of initials and a date. So this looks like a
vertical table inside the cell. Wish I could post a picture.

I've tried everything from a nested table to hand-drawing the
divisions in this further divided row and still make it fit into a
slightly less than 1-inch space. Every little tweak results in a
major change in the rest of the table. I've turned off word wrap and
auto fit to contents. I've tried using the ruler line to drag the row
height and setting the height in Table Properties. Isn't there a way
to drag a table line and increase/decrease JUST that cell size? Or a
way to auto fit this little table into my 1-inch space?

I'm ready to give up and my boss won't be happy. Please help!