Isabel's Marathon to wean herself from the respirator with support
from a variety of cheerleaders is taking place in a room filled with
colour. Strings of autumn leaves hang on the curtains. A large
orange bristle-board calendar created by Mary and Josh and covered
with 93 stickers is on Grannie's wall marking special days including
birthdays. Photo boards and art creations from all the grand-kids,
Mum's young friends from Abernethy, and grand-nieces and grand-
nephews cover another part of a wall. An Abernethy friend has sent
two large quilted wall hangings -- one with falling leaves; the other
of filled jam jars. Strings of your cards hang in different parts of
the room. A teddy bear peers out from behind a gigantic pink clock.
Mum's CD player plays a collection of spiritual, Scottish (bagpipes,
too!), and easy listening music. Mum has a collection of bright
coloured fleece blankets -- in maroons, corals, and brown-cream-coral
stripes.
In this midst of this created beauty, Isabel's marathon includes time
on and off the respirator, the flexes and stretches of physio, and
time sitting supported in a chair surveying all she can see out her
door. Mum has three neighbours in the nearby rooms. All four rooms
are designed for persons who need respirators to breathe. Each person
including one other West Nile Neurological Syndrome patient is a long
time respirator user.
There are a lot of Marathon checkpoints still to go. Thank you --
week after week -- for hanging in with us and being Mum's cheering
section. Mum wears her running shoes for physio every time she is up
and as the therapists or nurses help her move to her chair. A good
grip and feet solid on the ground are important whether one is
training for one mile -- or twenty-six.
Blessings of Autumn colours from us back to you,
Janet, Nancy & Catherine
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