For the VERY first time, I took Etta OUT of the nursing home and to McDonalds! Not my choice, but hers! She was apprehensive and anxious about getting into the car initially. The sight of the traffice on Route 29 made her very nervous. She said, "My God, these cars are all barrelling down...please be careful!" She later said, "It feels like I haven't been out in forever....oh but I do get out, just not as much." Truth is, she was last "out" when she was transported via ambulance from the hospital in Richmond to the nursing home and therefore wouldn't have seen what was around her. Prior to this, who knows how long it had been since she was out and about. When I trace her bank activity and purchase history, it appears it was sometime last winter or early spring that she was last out. That is nearly a year!
We drove to McDonalds, got lunch, and brought it back to the nursing home to eat together. I figured this first fieldtrip would just be to get her feeling comfortable with the idea of going out. Also, to help me get comfortable transferring her in and out of the car from her wheelchair.
After lunch, she was in a great mood! She was so happy to have gotten out eventhough such a short little excursion. When it was time for me to leave, in almost a childlike approach, Etta asked, "Well, can I just go along with you?" Precious!
I plan to take her out again this week- perhaps to the mall to stroll around and see all of the Christmas decorations and such. She is excited about Christmas as I have told her that I will be bringing her to my house for the day.
Of course, Etta continues to mourn the loss of James. She misses him terribly and often calls out to him or will forget he isn't there and initiate a conversation with him. We've left his bed as he liked it and also left a few of his clothing items in his closet.
Etta is asking lots of questions about heaven and God...about salvation. She questions whether she will see James again and if she does, will he know her when she gets to heaven? I am so ill equipped to respond to these questions but do the best I can to provide her with an answer that is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that will comfort her.
The grief Etta is experiencing manifests itself in the form of aggitation and depression. She is just starting to leave her room and join the others in the common area or dining room. She is easily frustrated and snippy at times. So much to deal with so I am not surprised in the least bit. All things considered, she is doing far better than I would have anticipated.
I continue to see her everyday- having only missed one since James died because I had a sick child at home. Though some days its difficult to squeeze in that visit, I know its all she has right now and that trumps anything on my to-do list.
Feel free to send Etta Christmas cards to my address (Etta Jennings c/o Jeannie Beidler). She would love to get the mail. The correspondence she has received thus far is read and reread many times!
We drove to McDonalds, got lunch, and brought it back to the nursing home to eat together. I figured this first fieldtrip would just be to get her feeling comfortable with the idea of going out. Also, to help me get comfortable transferring her in and out of the car from her wheelchair.
After lunch, she was in a great mood! She was so happy to have gotten out eventhough such a short little excursion. When it was time for me to leave, in almost a childlike approach, Etta asked, "Well, can I just go along with you?" Precious!
I plan to take her out again this week- perhaps to the mall to stroll around and see all of the Christmas decorations and such. She is excited about Christmas as I have told her that I will be bringing her to my house for the day.
Of course, Etta continues to mourn the loss of James. She misses him terribly and often calls out to him or will forget he isn't there and initiate a conversation with him. We've left his bed as he liked it and also left a few of his clothing items in his closet.
Etta is asking lots of questions about heaven and God...about salvation. She questions whether she will see James again and if she does, will he know her when she gets to heaven? I am so ill equipped to respond to these questions but do the best I can to provide her with an answer that is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that will comfort her.
The grief Etta is experiencing manifests itself in the form of aggitation and depression. She is just starting to leave her room and join the others in the common area or dining room. She is easily frustrated and snippy at times. So much to deal with so I am not surprised in the least bit. All things considered, she is doing far better than I would have anticipated.
I continue to see her everyday- having only missed one since James died because I had a sick child at home. Though some days its difficult to squeeze in that visit, I know its all she has right now and that trumps anything on my to-do list.
Feel free to send Etta Christmas cards to my address (Etta Jennings c/o Jeannie Beidler). She would love to get the mail. The correspondence she has received thus far is read and reread many times!