A Rose in the Wintertime

Hello Family and Friends

Following a week of partying, lengthening days, and the ongoing pleasure of a new larger room, we write to share news of Isabel's long-term plans.

For some weeks now, we have known that it is unlikely that Mum will have the strength to wean herself from the respirator-ventilator at this time.  It has become obvious to us and to the medical staff that Mum is consistently healthier and has more energy and enjoyment of her days when she has the accompaniment of the ventilator. 

Mum's health has improved significantly enough that she is no longer considered acutely ill. She has had a consistently stable seven weeks, and the time has come for her to be discharged from the General Hospital. 

Isabel will be moving to Wascana Extendicare in Regina as a long-term resident.  Rural facilities closer to Abernethy do not accept a patient who uses a ventilator to help them breathe. Wascana is the only place in our health region (urban and rural Regina) that accepts such a resident.  As a long-term resident, Mum will receive some physiotherapy and occupational therapy; and ongoing speech therapy. 

We expect Isabel's move to occur this week.

We continue to not know what Isabel's long-term physical health will be. There are no longitudinal studies on the outcome of West Nile Neurological Syndrome Poliomyelitis. Mum continues to work very hard to gain physical strength and she will be monitored to see what her potential is for future weaning from the ventilator.  But right now, she is to have three months of rest from weaning.

Our coming to realize that Mum would not be able to wean from the ventilator and return to live closer to her own home has been a time of grief for Mum and for us all.   And we know that this grief is shared by Isabel's extended family and friends.

Isabel ~ in her own determined positive way continues to lead us ~ and  to invite us all  ~ her friends and her family ~ to meet her where she is at ~  her usual vibrant loving self interested in other people and her various communities.  

Mum tells everyone that comes through her door that she is going to Wascana.  She is accepting this move.   As we have said so often on this blog, Mum has not lost any of her cognitive ability, memory, sense of humour, care about others, and profound ability to engage with everyone she meets.  We expect she will be no different in her new home at Wascana as she meets the variety of people of many ages and backgrounds who live there. Isabel's emotional energy and ability to maintain many relationships with friends and family has not altered. She knows her friends' phone numbers and asks about things that people told her last spring. 

Mum wants to be up in her chair every day as long as she is able.  She loves visitors and actively inserts her questions into a circle of conversation through mouthed words and pointing to her letter-board.  She looks forward to every day and is so determined. 

We have attempted to explain Mum's situation as well as we are able.  We invite your questions. Your questions help us know what is being said "out there" and help us to be clearer about what is happening.

In mid-January, twelve red short-stemmed roses arrived in Mum's room as a gift from Abernethy friends. Ten days later, these perky roses continue to bloom in her big window.  They remind us of the HOPE that comes like "a rose in the winter-time". Their presence is a reminder of the refrain of a song: 

"And I'll bring you hope

When hope is hard to find

And I'll bring a song of love

And a rose in the winter time."

- Carolyn McDade

Twelve roses bring HOPE twelve-fold as we anticipate this next chapter in our lives.  Prayers and HOPE come in many forms. Thanks for hanging in with us.

Love Isabel, Janet, Nancy, and Catherine and our Families