Christmas day plans included a family gathering with Etta coming to my house for the 1st time! However, with the possibility of a white Christmas, the celebration was bumped up to Christmas Eve to ensure that those traveling from Richmond could be here. On the 23rd, Hailey and I spent the afternoon at the nursing home doing Etta's nails and setting her hair. She was DELIGHTED! She said, "Do you think it's a stretch to say I look like a cross between Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe?" Clearly, she had a specific answer in mind that she wanted to hear and I responded accordingly. :)
I could hardly sleep that night thinking about everything I needed to remember when bringing Etta to my house the next day. Keeping my mind active was also the thoughts of hosting 17, Christmas baking/cooking and "Santa" preparations for my children. Wheew! Sleep seemed like such a waste of time with so much pending excitement!
I started cooking at 5:30am on Christmas Eve morning. By 9:30am, I wanted to head to the nursing home to help get Etta ready for the day and back to my house by 10:30am.
When I arrived to pick Etta up, I quickly noticed that she was very nervous about leaving. I assured her that we were only 5 minutes from my house, that I had a bathroom set up for her and that I would help her, and that everyone was so anxious to see her. Plus, I reminded her how stunning she looked and she needed to show herself off! This last reason sold Etta on the idea and she was ready to go. She was also given a some medication to help calm her nerves which helped a little too.
When Etta and I arrived home, Hailey came running out of the house to greet us. Hailey was so excited about Etta coming to our house! Mike and 2 other great guys were there to help get Etta (in her wheelchair) up our front steps and into the house. While I can transfer her from her bed to the chair or the chair into the car, I knew there was no way I could get her into the house without some muscles. Etta was tickled to see these guys waiting to carry her in.
Etta was a concerned when she saw all the gifts under the tree as many were for her. She felt so bad that she "had not had any time to go shopping." I grabbed a bow off of a package and stuck it on Etta's shirt. I said, "There, Etta. Problem solved. YOU are the gift to us all this year!" I couldn't wait for Etta to open her gifts to include a new scarf, costume jewelry, and a digital frame I had pre-loaded with 248 photos of family and loved ones.
My brother, Stephen, and his wife, Jan, and their children arrived shortly after Etta was settled in the house. Jan's brother was also in town to to celebrate Christmas with us as well. My parents and sister traveled from Richmond too and arrived a bit later. Numerous friends stopped in throughout the day adding to the celebration!
The nurses taught me how to best help Etta with her toileting and diaper changes. This, above all else, stressed me a tad. Not because of what I would be required to do, but for fear of embarrassing her or causing her discomfort. Over and over, I replayed in my mind how I would get her from the wheelchair in my hallway to the new portable toilet I had placed in the bathroom...how I would hold her up and clean her. I worried and worried some more knowing that I needed to just do it once to build up my confidence. When the time came, Etta was calm and cooperative. THANK GOD for Jan who was quick to offer to help. I have learned that when help is offered, I will take it! Once I transferred Etta to the toilet, Jan helped to hold her up so I could tend to the rest of the task at hand. When it was all taken care of, I was so happy to have done it (in as much as I can be happy about changing my grandmother anyway). This was my Mt. Everest for the day and I had conquered it. I could relax now...
Etta thoroughly enjoyed herself- opening gifts, eating, taking pictures, visiting with relatives and friends, watching the children play, and even leading us all in singing some Christmas carols. At the end of the day, Stephen, daddy, and I drove her back to the nursing home. When we got back to her room, I asked her where she would like to be- in her lift chair or her other wheelchair (as I had brought her back in the wheelchair I keep in the car for her), the parlor, or....before I finished giving her options, she responded, "I'm ready for bed!" I took her shoes and coat off and tucked her into bed...like I would for Josh or Hailey when they were helpless little toddlers. Etta kissed me goodnight and had closed her eyes before I even left the room. She was exhausted from her exciting day!
I could hardly sleep that night thinking about everything I needed to remember when bringing Etta to my house the next day. Keeping my mind active was also the thoughts of hosting 17, Christmas baking/cooking and "Santa" preparations for my children. Wheew! Sleep seemed like such a waste of time with so much pending excitement!
I started cooking at 5:30am on Christmas Eve morning. By 9:30am, I wanted to head to the nursing home to help get Etta ready for the day and back to my house by 10:30am.
When I arrived to pick Etta up, I quickly noticed that she was very nervous about leaving. I assured her that we were only 5 minutes from my house, that I had a bathroom set up for her and that I would help her, and that everyone was so anxious to see her. Plus, I reminded her how stunning she looked and she needed to show herself off! This last reason sold Etta on the idea and she was ready to go. She was also given a some medication to help calm her nerves which helped a little too.
When Etta and I arrived home, Hailey came running out of the house to greet us. Hailey was so excited about Etta coming to our house! Mike and 2 other great guys were there to help get Etta (in her wheelchair) up our front steps and into the house. While I can transfer her from her bed to the chair or the chair into the car, I knew there was no way I could get her into the house without some muscles. Etta was tickled to see these guys waiting to carry her in.
Etta was a concerned when she saw all the gifts under the tree as many were for her. She felt so bad that she "had not had any time to go shopping." I grabbed a bow off of a package and stuck it on Etta's shirt. I said, "There, Etta. Problem solved. YOU are the gift to us all this year!" I couldn't wait for Etta to open her gifts to include a new scarf, costume jewelry, and a digital frame I had pre-loaded with 248 photos of family and loved ones.
My brother, Stephen, and his wife, Jan, and their children arrived shortly after Etta was settled in the house. Jan's brother was also in town to to celebrate Christmas with us as well. My parents and sister traveled from Richmond too and arrived a bit later. Numerous friends stopped in throughout the day adding to the celebration!
The nurses taught me how to best help Etta with her toileting and diaper changes. This, above all else, stressed me a tad. Not because of what I would be required to do, but for fear of embarrassing her or causing her discomfort. Over and over, I replayed in my mind how I would get her from the wheelchair in my hallway to the new portable toilet I had placed in the bathroom...how I would hold her up and clean her. I worried and worried some more knowing that I needed to just do it once to build up my confidence. When the time came, Etta was calm and cooperative. THANK GOD for Jan who was quick to offer to help. I have learned that when help is offered, I will take it! Once I transferred Etta to the toilet, Jan helped to hold her up so I could tend to the rest of the task at hand. When it was all taken care of, I was so happy to have done it (in as much as I can be happy about changing my grandmother anyway). This was my Mt. Everest for the day and I had conquered it. I could relax now...
Etta thoroughly enjoyed herself- opening gifts, eating, taking pictures, visiting with relatives and friends, watching the children play, and even leading us all in singing some Christmas carols. At the end of the day, Stephen, daddy, and I drove her back to the nursing home. When we got back to her room, I asked her where she would like to be- in her lift chair or her other wheelchair (as I had brought her back in the wheelchair I keep in the car for her), the parlor, or....before I finished giving her options, she responded, "I'm ready for bed!" I took her shoes and coat off and tucked her into bed...like I would for Josh or Hailey when they were helpless little toddlers. Etta kissed me goodnight and had closed her eyes before I even left the room. She was exhausted from her exciting day!