T:The Holidays	Q:In the past,  for Thanksgiving,  Christmas Eve and Christmas,  my Gma has always went with us to various relative's houses. This year I am afraid that we won't be able to take her. She is having trouble walking still since she broke her hip and she doesn't even try to do the physical therapy - she has given up. So that would leave us to transport her wheelchair and some of these relative's houses are not very wheelchair friendly. Also,  she has very little control of her bowels so I keep picturing the scenario of what if she has an accident while at the relatives? ? I know it would be up to me to help her get cleaned up and changed but that may be physically impossible for me due to arthritis and neck issues. Her mental status has also declined so rapidly that she is losing the memory of some people and she gets lost in time and place. I hate leaving her there at the <institution> for the holidays but I don't see any way around it. I dunno what this post is about really but I am just getting a little down about the holidays coming and the possibility of not being able to take my Gma with us. I was discussing this with my husband and he agreed that it may not be a wise course of action to take her out and about for the holidays. So we are going to go see her on the holidays and stay with her for a while. I think that is a fair compromise for both her and us?	A:<name>,  my heart goes out to you. Gma has fought the good fight with your help,  and it's hard for both of you to face this first holiday season with the changes that have happened. I think you've made the very best decision. We used to always visit my gma late morning on Thanksgiving and late afternoon on Christmas eve,  then sometime during Christmas day. We would take her little gifts and sometimes some of her favorite holiday foods,  sit and visit,  then go on to our festivities with the rest of the family.  I think by the time we finished our visit,  she was tired,  ready for a nap and ready for us to leave. It worked out well for everyone,  and then she was able to participate in the <institution>'s celebrations also.  ((((<name>))))


A:Yes it is a very hard thing to accept. As I was growing up,  my Gma lived <distance> away from me but she always was just a phone call away and we wrote all the time. Then when my Gpa passed away and she moved in with us,  I was happy to have my Gma back physically in my life. Now it seems like I lost her again. Granted she is only <distance> away now but still it's hard to not have her with me during the holidays.  


A:what about having a lil special Christmas with her <name>. sort of a new tradition type thing ya know what i mean. i too am at a total loss with both mom n dad now gone and i am just not in the spirit i guess.  I am very blessed to be alive n have <name> n all my friends here ya know.  granted alot of my memory has come back but there is still so much i hv forgotten saddens me so. this is why we. <name> n i . are just going to have a special day for us to celebrate. so sorry your sweet gma has gone downhill my friend i know its hard . BUT I know you lol and i know you will come up with a way . sending warm wishes and a huggle for gma . luvs lyn. jeez dont think i answered your question too great i did more venting lol sorry luv
