"They've got everything you need, roll up for the Mystery Tour." - The Beatles

  

A Life Ever Changing

#20 Mystery Tour

by Angel

  

Just then the doorbell rang. I jumped knowing what was ahead...

My mom answered the door and sure enough it was Rita. (Mrs. Nelson) She was smiling and said hello to Mom and Grace as she entered Harriet's and now my home as well.

I heard my mother ask Rita if she would like some tea and Rita said, "I would love some Julia. Grace it is so good to see you again." What? Will this conspiracy never end? She knew Grace as well?

I wondered about this as Harriet pulled me back a little causing me to stop in my tacks and she said, "Wait a second Rachel, I just thought of something we both need." She led me back to her room by the hand and when she let go of me she opened a jewelry box on her vanity. "Here they are," she said as she held out a necklace and bracelet for me to see.

She had me help her put them on and she went back to looking through her large jewelry box. She continued talking, "Rachel your earrings are pretty and that glue must be very good stuff!"

My mind was busy thinking of many unanswered questions and things that just did not seem to fit in place so I decided to ask Harriet a simple direct but open question. I asked, "Harriet, what did you girls talk about all night while I slept?"

Harriet paused looking through her jewelry to look at me and answered, "Why, you, of course, silly! Grace wanted to know what else had happened at school. You know, the parts you left out. So, Julia and I told her all about it." She chuckled and continued, "You know, Rachel, it would have been nicer if you would have told her, but she understood after we filled her in. Sometimes you are to modest for your own good!"

She chuckled again and I asked her, "So what did you tell her 'EXACTLY' I have to know!"

Harriet sat on her vanity stool still looking through her jewelry box as she said, "Rachel, you hurt those boys pretty severely you know and they couldn't play in several games after that. That was why the coach was mad at you. He was not mad at the why you did it, just the outcome.

"When the Special Education teacher heard that you were going to be suspended she organized a rally for you. She printed up flyers with the true story of what happened and distributed them to each teacher to read to their homeroom classes. All the teachers did just that! There were some ugly rumors being spread about you and that reading exposed those spreading the lies. You remember the first day of your suspension?"

I nodded.

"When five of the girls at your school came over with all your homework and assignments for the length of your suspension?"

I nodded again.

"Remember all those notes each of your schoolbooks held?"

I nodded.

"We read everyone of them after you went to sleep." She laughed remembering. "Your mother was so proud of you she cried! I cried to! Rachel you should never be ashamed or be to modest when you take a stand for others."

I jumped in, "But it was just something that had to be done. I was also thinking of Jerry (My little brother) and what if that was Jerry being picked on and hurt. The handicapped have no one to look after them outside their classrooms."

Harriet said, "Rachel, you decided on your own to be that person. That is something few students if any would ever do. Not unless they were appointed in that role by the school administration. Your actions did just that Rachel! Because of you those children now have the protection they needed! Because of you those children are chaperoned to and from their classes and their busses! Julia and I could not see why you would not tell Grace that fact. It wasn't just you intervening like you told Grace at all! You helped make everyone aware of a big problem most adults just looked the other way to. You heard about the big assembly at the school a few days later I know."

I nodded again. "All the parents of the handicapped children were there along with the majority of the faculty and the members of the Board of Education including the Superintendent of the whole district!" I said, "Yes, Auntie, I know! So what? It was a big show because of all the publicity that's all!" OUCH! And OUCH again! Harriet smacked me on the head twice and very hard at that! That hurt!

She said, "RACHEL, you are not that stupid! You know what they announced at that assembly?"

I said, "Yes, that is when they told everybody about the chaperones for the special kids at my school."

Harriet said, "Your school? No, Rachel, every school in the district! You did not know that?"

"No, I just thought it was for my school."

Harriet just looked at me like I was nuts. She continued, "Why would all those reporters and even the TV people want to interview you if it was just at your school?"

I said, "I don't know, but I didn't talk to any of them anyway."

"We know that Rachel, we did not want to force you either, but we both wished you had talked to them. Maybe if you had, more special children would be protected from harm today."

I told her, "I hadn't thought of that Harriet. What I know is, that I didn't want to be on TV or the radio or even in the papers. I am pointed out enough as it is and I didn't want to attract any more attention to myself."

She just sighed and announced, "Here it is!" She held up a beautiful necklace! It was made of crystals like my earrings. The crystals shimmered and gleamed in the sunlight. She helped me put it on and I looked into the mirror. The necklace drew attention to my earrings as well as my breasts! Oops! I really did not want it to have that effect!

Harriet saw me looking funny and asked me what was wrong. I told her and she chuckled saying, "Honey, get used to it. The first things boys and men look at will always be your breasts." She gave me a hug and told me, "Don't worry Rachel, you have a very nice shape and your breasts are proportionate to a little small for your frame. You don't stick out like some other girls and women. They really get noticed." She laughed at that and grabbed my hand leading me out of her room and down the stairs.

Rita saw me first and her mouth dropped she just looked at me like I was an apparition not to be believed. I was red as a beet again, I could feel my face redden!

Mrs. Nelson stood up and slowly walked over to me shaking her head from side to side. She smiled and said, "I have secretly wished to see you dressed as a girl for several years now, I never expected this. I knew you would look more than passable, even cute dressed as a girl. You have turned out to surpass anything I have ever pictured in my mind. Your beautiful!"

I was even redder now! From my head to my toes showed neon red! I knew I was not beautiful! I was cute and fully made up maybe even pretty, but not beautiful! I knew what beautiful was and that was Barbara, my mom and Aunt Harriet and even Mrs. Nelson! Now they were beautiful! I looked at Mrs. Nelson with my head lowered just tilting my head high enough to see her with my eyes.

She reached with her hands and lifted my chin until I was fully facing her. She took both my hands in hers as she looked deep into my eyes then and said, "I was just telling Grace and Julia how much I had wanted to dress you up when the girls and you were all together at my house. You fit in so perfectly with them, the only oddity was the way you were dressed. You took on there mannerisms within a very short while and the only topic you would not join in with was when they started talking about boys."

She chuckled as did the rest of the ladies and continued, "Rachel I know you do not fully recognize the gift you have. You mother and Grace have told me what a hard time you have had with this lately and that they had to move quickly. They also told me that they could tell you had made your decision from deep inside you and that you have decided to be a girl with your mind, body and soul. I just want you to know that you can count on me for my support and help in this. I also want you to know that I just had to see you! I have wanted to see you like this for years and now that I have I know that I was right! I also know how difficult this is and will continue to be for you as time goes on. I have come here with another problem we have that must be resolved. Do you know what that is?"

I was looking deep in Mrs. Nelson's eyes as she was in mine and I said, "Yes, it is a big problem the biggest and most troublesome problem for me as well as you, Barbara!"

She nodded and with a tear in her eye she continued, "Rachel after you were done talking to each other on the phone Barb ran up to her room in tears. She even closed and locked her door and you know she almost never does that unless she is deeply troubled about something!" Mrs. Nelson started to cry then, really cry with tears streaming down her face and body shaking sobs.

It was group hug time again and we all hugged her trying to reassure her we would come up with a solution to this latest and most troubling problem. We sat her down and Harriet went to make her an alcoholic drink. A hefty one at that I bet!

My mom handed her a few tissues and was saying, "Rita we will help and I know we can come up with a solution that will work out for us all."

Rita dried her eyes and blew her nose and said, "I was able to get her to let me in and we talked for a long time. She really loves Rich and she told me she just knew she had lost him. You should have seen her! I have never seen her so hurt in all her years! She told me that Rich was not only her boyfriend but he was her best friend and confidant. She could tell him anything and everything and did just that. I knew this and I know how much they care for each other. You can see it in everything they do together and how they talk about each other when they are apart. The worst thing in the world has happened to my little girl and I need all your help to help her."

Harriet came back and handed Rita a drink. (I knew what was in it!) Rita took a sip and then another and then another and smiled looking up at Harriet and said, "Just what the doctor ordered!" Everybody laughed and the tension eased a little bit.

I looked at Rita and then gave her a hug and asked, "Mrs. Nelson, what can I do? I don't want Barbara seeing me like this! What would she think when I showed up to take her out dressed and looking like this? I love her very much and I do not want to lose her because of this!" I held my arms out and swept them downward from my breasts to my knees indicating the way I was dressed and looked.

She answered by standing up and hugging me close to her saying, "Rachel, you have never kept secrets from each other why start now? You both care so much about each other why should you not trust her with knowing about this?" She looked deep into my eyes and I was going to loose it again I just knew it!

She must have looked at the others and said something because I was surrounded then by the ladies and being hugged and led to the couch. They sat me down with Grace on one side and my mom on the other. Harriet went back to the alcohol cabinet and Rita stood before me.

Rita continued by saying, "Rachel, Barb knows a lot more than you think she does. When she and I talked for so long I let her know a few things. Don't worry, I did not tell her what exactly, just that there was a lot more to you going away like you did than what you had told her. She is a very smart girl just as you are." (She smiled at her own remark calling me a very smart girl!)

Just then Harriet came to me and handed me a desperately needed boost! I sipped and sipped again ending up drinking it all down. I looked up at Rita and asked, "Just what do you think I should do? Should I just show up looking like this? I don't think so!"

All the ladies at once said, "CALL HER!" (I hate when they do that!)

Rita continued and said, "She already knows about your job, but what she doesn't know is that you have to be a girl to do it. So, why don't you explain everything to Barbara? Let me prepare her in my own way and give me about three hours before you make that call ok?"

I said, "Alright I will do it, but if it turns out badly I don't know what I can do or what I will do." They all looked at me again concern and love written on their faces. My mom, Grace and Harriet all said they would be with me and would make sure I would be okay. I chuckled in disbelief but just shook my head in understanding. I could picture it now! All tied up and drugged, waking up to find myself in diapers again facing Dr. Purnell! I laughed just thinking about it and knew this just had to work out or else!

Grace said, "Okay, well let us all go shopping for Harriet's items but first let me call Betty." She left to call Betty and my mom said we should all freshen up before we left including Rita.

Rita laughed as she looked in the mirror at herself. She said, "I look like a clown! Barbara would never hear a thing I have to say if she saw me looking like this!"

We all laughed then as we each went to find a mirror of our own. I went back to my room and selected a purse from about six that were hanging in my closet by pegs. I chose a pale yellow that closely matched my skirt. I transferred the items from the red one I had used to this one. I added the lipstick and then repaired my make-up as best I could. It did turn out well. I had not cried much so little repair was needed. I turned and saw Rita looking at me smiling. OH FRIPSY!

She came in and hugged me kissing me softly on my cheek. She said, "Rachel, it is going to be alright. You know how Barb is and I know she will love you just as much as Rachel. Just think of all the things we can do and places we can go with each other as girls!"

I just looked at her not knowing what to say to that. It did start me thinking again! OH FRAPST! We all met in the living room and said goodbye to Rita. My mom noticed my purse and told me what a smart girl I was! OH FRIPSY! Grace and Harriet just nodded in agreement and we left for the Medical Supply Store. We all decided to take Grace's car, not a difficult choice at all to make really. We all piled in with me sitting in back with my mother. Off we went as Grace informed us it was only about ten minutes away.

We arrived at this huge building. It had a storefront that was as big as a supermarket's! Grace informed us that they supplied most of the hospitals and nursing homes for this part of the state. I was impressed with the size, HUGE!

Harriet said, "So Grace, do I have any say in what we are getting today?"

Grace chuckled and answered, "Of course Harriet, you can pick out what color and maybe even what style of a few items we will be getting today." She chuckled again and both my mother and I just smiled not knowing what to expect.

We walked in and saw a very big store! It had isle after isle, which were marked with signs for what they contained. Grace got a shopping cart and led us to an isle that had hospital gowns. Hundreds of them! Grace looked at Harriet and said, "We need several different styles and you can select the colors you want."

Harriet smiled and Grace indicated which styles we needed and Harriet had fun modeling different colors and patterns for us. Just then an older woman came up to us and asked if we needed any assistance and Grace answered, "Yes, we do. Our friend here (pointing to Harriet) is having some major surgery soon and will need items for complete care. We will need enough to last two weeks."

The older woman looked at Harriet and said, "I am so sorry you need such an operation but we do have everything you will possibly need right here." She looked at Grace and asked her, "I assume by everything you mean incontinence products as well?"

Grace said, "Oh, yes, indeed. After her initial recovery she will be convalescing at home."

The older lady introduced herself as Mrs. Meier and Grace made our introductions. Mrs. Meiers looked at what Harriet had selected so far and mentioned, "Would you like matching sets or separates?"

Harriet said immediately, "Matching sets would be great!"

Mrs. Meiers took two items away from Harriet and replaced them with two others, which looked a little young in pattern for Harriet. She said, "I know they look a little childish, but the other choices are to get all of the same color and pattern or white."

Harriet giggled and said, "These will be fine, I really don't like plain white."

We all laughed because one of the gowns had cute girl teddy bears printed on it sand the other was pink with little girls in diapers playing with dolls and toys. The other three gowns Harriet had selected were solid colors with lighter shades of pink, blue and yellow shaped like flowers.

Grace handed Mrs. Meiers a list she had made which she looked at nodded and said, "We have all of these items and only two will need to be tried on for fit." She asked us all to follow her and we did. She led us to the incontinence products isle and looked at the sheet Grace had given to her again. She then began handing *me* the appropriate diapers in the colors and patterns Harriet had selected.

She looked at me and said, "Thank you dear you should be included in this process as well. Will you be helping take care of the patient?"

I answered her, "My Aunt, Mrs. Meiers, and yes, I will be helping do most of her care."

She smiled and said, "That is so very sweet of you. Not many relatives will do this these days especially a young girl like you. Can I inquire if you do this as a job as well?"

I looked at Grace and she took over for me saying, "Rachel is in training and she has been hired already for a private duty case."

Mrs. Meiers looked at me again and said, "Private duty is a wonderful way to begin in this field." With that said she looked at Harriet and asked, "Well, dear, there is a decision we need to make before I pick your plastic panties for you I should have asked you this before. Will you be wearing thicker diapers for night use or will you be changed during the night as well?"

Grace quickly jumped in saying, "We will need both, thank you, Mrs. Meiers."

She nodded and selected two different sizes for each matching pattern in two styles. Snap on and full cut plastic panties. Mrs. Meiers recommended we get some inserts for the diapers since this would add to their absorbency capacity for night use. We agreed and she selected ten of these.

She looked at the list again and said, "The support hose are this way. You will need the belt with longer garters so they will reach over the diapers. As you know usually the garters are tucked under the panties, but in this case it is different." (I didn't know this! I did now.)

We were marched to and fro through the huge store by Mrs. Meiers all going in the same direction. We were very glad for all her help. I looked at her while touching her shoulder to get her attention and said, "Mrs. Meiers you are very kind to not only help us but with explaining the what as well as the why we need these items. You have taught me some very important lessons." She gave me a big smile and said, "What a sweet dear child, you are as polite as you are pretty."

She gave me a hug and a kiss on my cheek and said, "Harriet, do you have any sleeping or convalescent bras at home?" Harriet said that she did not so Mrs. Meiers marched us off to another section of the store.

This was a secluded and private section separated from the main floor by a door and curtained window which Mrs. Meiers closed. She said, "When the curtains are closed we will not be disturbed at all." She locked the door and asked Harriet to remove her dress, slip and Bra. She asked Harriet, "Do you wish some privacy or is it all right for all of us to remain?" (Motioning with her hands indicating we three other women.)

Harriet chuckled and said she wanted us all to remain with her and Mrs. Meiers smiled and took my hand. (I will have to remember that hand holding is a big part of being a girl!) She led me over to a section that held many different bras, and started explaining why each was different and the purpose for which they were made. WOW! So many different kinds that did so many different things! She then showed me what Harriet needed and why. She said, "When a woman is convalescing she needs to be as comfortable as possible. These bras help keep the breasts from any undue swaying and bouncing making it much more comfortable to lay about and slight walking and movement. They also help protect the nipples from chafing against the gowns."

I remembered my very sore nipples and realized she was definitely telling the truth! There were about ten different styles and Mrs. Meiers selected one of each, handing them to me as she selected each one. She said, "Rachel, dear, every woman should own at least one of these bras. They are such a comfort to wear when just lying about. Do you have one?"

I said, "No, but I have been doing a lot of shopping lately and one of these was not in my budget at the present time." She chuckled and asked me my bra size and I looked at Grace pleadingly. Grace jumped in and said, "She is a 38 almost B." Grace chuckled and added, "We had to buy her all new bras just yesterday she has just sprouted so much recently."

I turned very red and nearly died on the spot! Mrs. Meiers looked right at my breasts then and said, "Well, you surely need one of these! Now you just help me with the fitting and I will get you one as a present for assisting me, okay?"

I looked at her red as a beet and said, "Only if I don't need to be fitted, okay?"

She laughed and said, "Well a girl should always be fitted for a bra, but since you just were fitted yesterday we will just pick one that is in your size." She smiled, continuing to chuckle as she and I walked over to Harriet.

It was slightly cold in this room and Harriet's nipples were showing the effects of the chilly room. They were both drawn tight and stuck out from her breasts. Mrs. Meiers noticed because she said, "We will have you fitted in a jiffy Harriet. You will not be chilled for long."

Harriet thanked her, "That would be great Mrs. Meiers, I am getting goose bumps on top of goose bumps!" We all giggled at that and I noticed all the other ladies had the same condition. Not me! Mine remained hidden and I saw that Mrs. Meiers noticed this as well. Hmm.

I blushed and Mrs. Meiers said, "Rachel, if you don't stop blushing your body will never cool." She chuckled and continued, "Don't be embarrassed that your nipples don't show like ours. You blush so much your body stays warm." Whew! I was very glad she had said that! She thought I was embarrassed about my nipples not showing! I chuckled and thought we would have to come up with a solution to that problem in case I was in a similar situation in the future.

Mrs. Meiers asked me, "Rachel have you ever put a bra on a woman before?"

"I have helped but never did the whole procedure before."

"Well here is your next lesson then." She took the bras from me and selected one handing it to me and said, "Harriet I don't want you to move at all let Rachel do all the work, okay?"

Harriet seeing my expression laughed as did the other ladies and agreed to just sit there. Mrs. Meiers then told me to slip one of Harriet's arms through the strap and then the next. I did and she told me to slide the bra up her arms until they reached the breasts. I did this as well. She told me to slip the bra under the breasts and then pull the shoulder straps over Harriet's shoulders and I did that. Now Harriet's breasts were trapped half in and half out of the bra, but the part of the bra that needed to be under the breasts was in place.

She had me fasten the bra in the back and then she said, "Rachel now watch what I do with this breast and you do the same with the other. You must do this as gently as possible ok?" I said that I would be very gentle and she smiled, as did Harriet! The women were enjoying seeing me do this far too much! Mrs. Meiers gently inserted her hand in the bra and cupped Harriet's left breast and positioned the breast so the nipple was centered in the bra cup. The breast was also positioned to fully rest inside the cup.

Mrs. Meiers then said, "Okay, Rachel, now it's your turn."

I did the same with Harriet's right breast. It took me more time than Mrs. Meiers had taken but I did it correctly in the end. I could really feel her nipple in the palm of my hand it was so taught and firm with being cold. The breast itself was firm yet yielding to my touch. It surprised me I had thought they would feel differently. I had never held a woman's breast in my hands before. I had to use both hands while Mrs. Meiers could do it using only one.

She showed me how to comfortably remove a bra from a woman. It was different than I had thought! You just didn't unhook and pull away as Harriet had done to herself earlier. You unhooked the bra and then holding a breast with one hand you freed the cup from that side and repeated the process with the other side only then did you slide the bra off of the arms.

Mrs. Meiers explained, "You do it this way, Rachel, because you want the woman to remain comfortable. If you had just pulled the bra away from the breasts they would have bounced causing the woman to either be startled or worse causing discomfort." She added, "You may encounter women who may be resistant and this method protects the breasts from injury and affords you more control over the situation."

I nodded and said I understood and thanked her. She smiled calling me a sweet and polite girl once more. We did this with all ten different bras and Harriet's nipples must have warmed up because by the time I had finished with the fifth bra she was no longer taught and firm there. I could now put on and take off a bra for a woman like a professional!

Harriet asked if she could have one of each and Mrs. Meiers gladly agreed to her request and Grace nodded giving her approval as well. She was in control of the purse strings as it were.

The next item on the list that needed fitting was the one-piece clothing that was just like a dancers leotard. There were two styles, one had a snap closure at the crotch the other had no closure at all.

Mrs. Meiers informed Harriet it would be best if she wore the diapers for this step. Harriet turned red at the mention of this step! I chuckled as did my mom and Grace! Harriet looked at all of us and laughed. She said, "Well we had better I want them to fit correctly." She laughed and asked Mrs. Meiers where they would be doing this. Mrs. Meiers said not to worry as she handed me several sizes of the snap style and of the no closure styles. They matched the gowns, diapers and plastic pants!

While she marched us to another private section she asked me, "Rachel, have you ever diapered someone before?"

I answered, "Yes, I have every night for the past several years Mrs. Meiers. My little sister needs diapers for nighttime."

She smiled and asked how old my little sister was and I told her. She then said, "This is a wee bit harder, Rachel. More diapers to pin and adjust and you will have to roll Harriet from side to side to do it correctly. Don't worry though I will show you how and explain what and why we do it this way."

So I would be getting a lesson in putting on and taking off diapers today as well! Poor Harriet, I knew she was not expecting this! It was a surprising situation for both of us.

Mrs. Meiers said, "Rachel, this will be easy because there are no ointments to put on or any messes to clean up. When you do this in real situations you will be washing and drying first, always! Then you will apply an ointment or two to the area.

"Never use powder on a woman, Rachel, powder causes more infections than any other product. It gets clumpy when wet and sneaks in everywhere. It is very hard to remove it all when you are cleaning her up.

"When you remove the diapers you will have to wash and dry the area fully. That means washing away all of the old ointment as well as any mess okay?"

I said, "Yes, and thank you for telling me."

She smiled and gave my hand a squeeze. Yes, she was holding my hand again! She went on saying, "There are two areas you must pay close attention to when cleaning up any messes or cleaning off the ointment. One is the clitoral covering and the other is the vagina. These two areas are overlooked by many caregivers and cause many unnecessary infections. When you clean these areas especially the clitoris and under the hood you must be very gentle. I recommend using cotton tipped applicators that have been moistened with baby oil. Use dry ones after that to gently wipe away the excess oil. For the vagina use your finger wrapped in a soft cleansing cloth with warm soapy water. Make sure you rinse the area well with clean warm water and use a sopping wet cloth. Dry it by patting just the outside never insert a dry cloth inside the vagina, this will hurt and cause irritation. If you don't rinse well it will cause irritation from the soap. Do you understand these steps?"

I said I did and was lost in thought for a little while trying to remember the steps one by one in order. (What was a clitoral hood?) I would have to ask Grace.

We arrived at a large room that had a table in the middle of the room. It was a large changing table made for adults instead of small children. We had passed several other rooms and they had been decorated for smaller children and teens. This one was definitely for adults. Mrs. Meiers closed and locked the door and asked Harriet to undress completely just leaving on her bra and to lie on the table with her fanny on the changing pad. She handed me a blanket to cover Harriet when she was on the table. Harriet stepped up using a small step stool next to her and lay back on the table as I covered her with the blanket. She was blushing!

I chuckled and kissed her on the cheek saying thank you in her ear. She patted my arm and whispered I owed her big time. We both chuckled at that and Mrs. Myers had selected diapers and a pair of plastic panties. They were the childish teddy bear ones and all of us chuckled at her choice including Harriet and Mrs. Meiers!

Mrs. Myers looked at me and motioned for me to join her at the bottom half of the table. She took one side and told me to stand on the opposite side. She looked at Harriet and said, "Now don't be embarrassed and don't worry dear. I am a retired Registered Nurse and have taught nursing as well for many years." She smiled and looked around getting the surprised looks she was looking for.

I said, "Mrs. Meiers, I noticed how professional you have been and now you have impressed me even more. I am honored to be getting lessons from you and want you to know you have my respect for having had such a full and wonderful career. I only hope I can someday be as professional and caring as you are."

I must have said something right because she came rushing over to me and gave me a big hug saying, "I know you will Rachel, you have what it takes. It is written in your eyes and touch."

Grace came over and shook her hand and gave her a hug as well saying it was an honor to have her assist us in such a thorough and educational manner.

My mom did the same and Harriet reached down and squeezed her hand saying, "Teach away, master!" We all laughed and Mrs. Meiers beaming with pride and acceptance whisked away the blanket covering Harriet.

Mrs. Meiers said, "Well, if we are to be teaching here then we don't need that in our way do we?" I noticed Harriet turning red from her toes to her face. I chuckled and then everyone else did as well. Mrs. Meiers said to everyone, "If I am to teach here then everyone must trust me and do as I say. Is that alright with all of you?" Before we could answer she added, "If not I will just diaper and panty Harriet and check the fit of the items and we will be done."

We all agreed she could teach and instruct us. She smiled and motioned me back at the side of the table. She asked my mom and Grace if they would be helping care for Harriet as well. Grace then informed Mrs. Meiers that she was an RN as well. This time Mrs. Meiers was impressed and said, "Grace Brown? You own and run the nursing home in Spring Hills is that right?" (She owned it? Wow, I didn't know that fact!) Grace smiled and said yes.

Mrs. Meiers then said to all of us, "We have a credible witness for what I am going to teach you next. She motioned my mom to the very end of the table as Grace from a short distance away stood and watched. I got the lesson of my life then as Mrs. Meiers had Harriet pull in her legs to her fanny and then spread her knees wide apart!

Mrs. Meiers handed me a pair of gloves as she put on a pair of her own. This done she said, "Now as I said before the two most neglected areas are these." With one hand she spread the labia and revealed the inner parts of Harriet's pubic region.

She continued, "This is the clitoral hood and underneath is the clitoris. You must be very gentle because this area is very sensitive. As you all know this area can induce much pleasure as well as cause much discomfort." (I didn't then, but I do now!)

Harriet jumped at her touch and Mrs. Meiers looked at her and said, "Harriet, you had better pay more attention to this area next time you bathe." Harriet turned red all over and she squirmed a little.

Mrs. Myers then said, "Rachel and Julia, do you see this discolored skin here?" We both looked closer and said yes. She continued, "This must be very gently cleansed away until you see bright pink skin all over and the underside of the hood. This is a must and should never be neglected." She let the clitoral hood fall and I noticed it was tighter than before and slowly covered the slightly larger in sized clitoris. Hmm. I got it now!

Mrs. Meiers continued, "This is the urethra and is where the urine flows out from. You must make sure this area is cleansed well. Soapy water can burn when and if it enters here. So only use a very weak solution. Cleanse and rise quickly to prevent discomfort. I have a few products you can use. They are called PERI-WASHES and are very good and do not sting."

We all agreed to get some. I did not want to cause any discomfort to Harriet with soapy water. Mrs. Meiers went on, "This is the vaginal opening and is especially in need of thorough cleansing if Harriet or any of your charges has a bowel movement. The feces can work its way inside and must be cleaned away. Infection will occur if it is left soiled. If it is not soiled severely then hand washing will suffice. If it is soiled and feces enters the vagina than a thorough douching is required. Most of the time a single douching will be sufficient; if really soiled or the solution still comes back discolored you will need to repeat the process until the solution comes back clear."

She then separated the folds covering Harriet's inner parts naming them as she did. "This is the labia minora and are also called the inner lips. They are the closest coverings and protect the inner parts from outside contamination or irritations. These must also be thoroughly cleansed and dried. When you are not using any ointments and I highly recommend that you do, you should at least apply a generous covering of baby oil to these areas."

With each slight manipulation from Mrs. Meiers fingers I noticed the inner lips swelling slightly as did the clitoris. I processed this to my memory so as to remind me to be thorough but quick in cleansing this area. There were many more areas of sensitivity in a woman than boys!

Mrs. Meiers continued, "These are the labia majora or outer lips. As you can see they are covered with pubic hair. I highly recommend you keep these either shaved or closely cropped. I see Harriet does trim them but not closely enough for proper care and cleanliness for incontinent people. This should be done prior to her operation." She gave Harriet a motherly look and Harriet just nodded still red in the face.

Mrs. Meiers let Harriet close her knees and asked her to roll on her side. Harriet let out a sigh of relief just than and did as asked. Mrs. Meiers patted Harriet on her fanny and said, "The anal area is easy to clean but make sure all creases are cleansed thoroughly. Look for swelling and hemorrhoids. These areas should be especially paid attention to and cleansed very well. You should apply a hemorrhoidal cream to the area to provide relief from any discomfort."

"Ok, now for the diapering lesson. First you lay them out and layer them as needed. I am doing the daytime thickness first." She laid out two full sized diapers with the girl teddy bears printed on them. "Then you fold another one tri-fold to fit in the center or you can use one of the inserts. I would save the inserts for nighttime use. You then tuck them under Harriet while she is on her side like so, and roll her back so her fanny is centered on them. You roll her a little bit on her opposite side just so you can unroll the still tucked side."

She stepped back a little and let me do that. I did and saw Harriet's fanny was indeed centered on the diapers. Mrs. Meiers then said, "You gently spread her legs by pulling gently on the underside of her knees. First one side and then the other like so. You pull the diapers up between her legs snuggly while folding the edges inside."

She showed us how when you pull up the diapers you make sure the edges are folded inwards by using a free hand. "You then pull up first one of the back sides and hold it snug but not to tight and pin it like so."

She had these larger sized diaper pins and we all chuckled because they had teddy bear plastic tips on them. She showed us how to slip the pin in and through using our fingers to protect Harriet from getting stuck with the pin. She then told us that the pins had a locking safety measure that worked by pushing down on the plastic pin top until it clicked. That way it could not work itself loose and pose a sticking danger to Harriet. She did the same thing with the other side.

Mrs. Meiers then showed us how to put on the snapping style plastic panties. It was the same as putting on the diapers. The pull-on plastic panties were different. First you had to slide them up her legs as high as you could get then and then roll her from side to side until they were in place. Mrs. Meiers said: 'When the panties are on make sure the diapers are all tucked inside of them. This way no wetness can leak or wick out onto the bedding and her gown."

"Okay, now for the cover all. You should not have Harriet wearing a bra while she is wearing one of these. They provide enough support and the bra might bunch up causing discomfort." With that said Mrs. Meiers asked me to remove Harriet's bra so I did.

She showed us first how to put on the snap crotch style. You did this by putting it over the head and sliding the arms in and pulling the cover all down by rolling side to side and snapping the snaps together. The one piece you started from the legs and worked up until you could slide the hands and arms through comfortably. You had to remember to check the plastic panties were still in the right place and the diapers tucked within them. So we learned how to put on and remove the cover alls and we were now done!

Mrs. Meiers informed us the size we had used were one size too small so she selected the next larger size for Harriet. She said they would be easier to put on and take off. She got a set of two times larger for nighttime use. She added, "You should always use the snap crotch type for nighttime use just in case." We were glad of that! It was hard with all the tugging and pulling we had had to do!

Harriet let me remove the plastic panties and diapers per Mrs. Meiers excellent instructions. Harriet got dressed and we headed out to get the remaining items including some peri-wash and softer than soft cleansing cloths that they sold here. That done we all headed for the cashier now pushing two shopping carts.

Mrs. Meiers left us for a minute promising to return shortly and help us load our car. We were glad of this because we wanted to thank her properly for all her attention and instruction she had given us. We were checked out and I was dumbfounded at what it had cost!

Mrs. Meiers came back to us carrying a fairly large wrapped package and handed it to me saying, "Rachel I would be very happy for you to accept this gift as a welcoming to our field." I took the package thinking this just could not be the bra promised me. I thanked her and we all walked out to the car. My mom and Grace pushing the two now overly stuffed shopping carts.

We all thanked Mrs. Meiers and all hugged and kissed her. She was very happy and helped us load the Cadillac's huge trunk. We all climbed into Grace's car and were off back to Harriet's. It had been over three hours and I needed to call Barbara. I knew she was waiting for my call restless and fidgety! I could just picture her sitting next to the phone very anxiously.

  

  

  

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