Hailey and I went to visit this afternoon around 5:15pm and stayed for about an hour. Both Etta and James have hearty appetites. James, particularly, gets very happy around meal time. They ask for bananas throughout the day too evidently. Nurses and staff are accommodating their desire to eat more than normal as they are aware that there was no food for so long. They like to know when the next meal is coming ahead of time too…helps them both relax a bit when reassured another meal is coming and that they won’t be hungry.
Etta told me James was “real real sick with a high fever; the worse he has ever been!” This wasn’t accurate, but she sure was concerned.
I hung up a vinyl cling chalkboard so I could write them notes on it. It looks adorable and will be perfect for writing when I will be back or the day of the week, etc.
Brought James 2 pairs of wind pants, some sneakers, and more socks. Organized both of their closets and drawers. Required that her bed be moved sideways to give her more space to manipulate her wheelchair.
Etta talked of going home soon- one of the first times she has mentioned this. Said when she gets out, she wants to get me “something real special and pretty”. Nothing could be more special than having my grandparents this close by and seeing reconciliation between daddy and his parents. Little does she know…little does she know.
I gave Etta another one of my own rings- a blue topaz and silver ring. I feel so guilty she doesn’t have her own rings there and I know she wants them. Nurses and Admin warn strongly against them as they are easily lost or stolen. I don’t want her to stress over them though.
I found out that Etta can get her hair done by the beautician if she wants and told her about that. She seemed very interested!
At one point, Etta told me she did something she “really shouldn’t have.” I couldn’t imagine what she was about to tell me. She grabbed my arm and pulled me close to her whispering lips. She said, “I had to go poop but I didn’t know until after I did it in my pants.” I quickly dismissed it as not being something to be ashamed of stating, “IT happens to the best of us!” She told me that a nurse came in, cleaned up her so fast, and was so nice and gentle. Then, a few moments later, she thanked me for cleaning her bottom up and said I made her feel so much better. I just agreed.
James ate dinner in his room tonight. He was thrilled to see that tray arrive. His days of being grumpy and cutting seem to be gone…along with his memory of who many of us are. Still I will take his big toothless smile when I greet him, the squeeze of his hand when I stand next to him, and the opportunity to brush his straggly gray hair as he would have had it. It’s never too late to have a grandfather and my day has come.
Etta asked me to call before I come on Sunday to visit. Said she and James like to sleep in on Sundays and then “go run around together”.
Etta told me James was “real real sick with a high fever; the worse he has ever been!” This wasn’t accurate, but she sure was concerned.
I hung up a vinyl cling chalkboard so I could write them notes on it. It looks adorable and will be perfect for writing when I will be back or the day of the week, etc.
Brought James 2 pairs of wind pants, some sneakers, and more socks. Organized both of their closets and drawers. Required that her bed be moved sideways to give her more space to manipulate her wheelchair.
Etta talked of going home soon- one of the first times she has mentioned this. Said when she gets out, she wants to get me “something real special and pretty”. Nothing could be more special than having my grandparents this close by and seeing reconciliation between daddy and his parents. Little does she know…little does she know.
I gave Etta another one of my own rings- a blue topaz and silver ring. I feel so guilty she doesn’t have her own rings there and I know she wants them. Nurses and Admin warn strongly against them as they are easily lost or stolen. I don’t want her to stress over them though.
I found out that Etta can get her hair done by the beautician if she wants and told her about that. She seemed very interested!
At one point, Etta told me she did something she “really shouldn’t have.” I couldn’t imagine what she was about to tell me. She grabbed my arm and pulled me close to her whispering lips. She said, “I had to go poop but I didn’t know until after I did it in my pants.” I quickly dismissed it as not being something to be ashamed of stating, “IT happens to the best of us!” She told me that a nurse came in, cleaned up her so fast, and was so nice and gentle. Then, a few moments later, she thanked me for cleaning her bottom up and said I made her feel so much better. I just agreed.
James ate dinner in his room tonight. He was thrilled to see that tray arrive. His days of being grumpy and cutting seem to be gone…along with his memory of who many of us are. Still I will take his big toothless smile when I greet him, the squeeze of his hand when I stand next to him, and the opportunity to brush his straggly gray hair as he would have had it. It’s never too late to have a grandfather and my day has come.
Etta asked me to call before I come on Sunday to visit. Said she and James like to sleep in on Sundays and then “go run around together”.