Epiphany Light

Hello Family and Friends

Isabel has had a great holiday and birthday season as we now enter the season of Epiphany and increasing light. Mum's health has been consistently stable the last few weeks.   She has been sitting up between 3-5 hours each day enjoying new clothes, jewellery and CDs.  The early days of January are a wonderful time to savour friends and family with the rereading of Christmas and birthday greetings.  Thanks to all of you who have written news of your lives and HOPE to Mum.

LIGHT and HOPE came into Mum's room in two special ways this week. 

Another West Nile Virus Neurological Syndrome patient who had been on the same respiratory unit as Mum for nearly three months came to visit Mum this week to share her own journey of HOPE.  Although never as ill as Mum, and with different symptoms of WNVNS that did not compromise her muscular system in the same way, Mum's visitor has had her own very hard rough journey on the West Nile Road.  Mum's response to the visit was to recommit to doing her exercises with physiotherapist and family help, and on her own.  We know that Mum's determination will take her as far as her physical strength allows her.

Friends of Mum sent a book for her birthday titled: The Silver Book of Hope.  It contains over 40 quotations about searching for and finding HOPE and LIGHT in our lives.  Here is a sample:

An optimistic outlook may not speed your journey,

but it does improve the scenery along the way.

Hope springs eternal

like a well from deep inside us,

moving us into the light

where love can guide us.

Mum lives with that deep well inside of her that is sustained through her connection with the love of her wide community of which you are a part. 

A big part of Mum's day is preparation for visitors and inquiring about the next week.  Who is coming when?

Several of you have inquired recently about visiting or phoning Mum.  YES, Isabel is welcoming visitors every day.  It is helpful to her if you can give us a "heads up" when you are coming so that she can anticipate your visit.  You can do that by phoning Catherine at: 306-270-6394 or e-mailing <catherine.barnsley@usask.ca>

Phone messages can be left at:  306-333-4805.  Isabel has a speaker phone in her room so is easily able to hear your messages when we retrieve them.  The familiar voices of friends and family are an important part of neurological healing.

Thank you for your care and the LIGHT and HOPE that you bring into our lives,

Janet, Nancy, and Catherine