"Are We There Yet?"

March has been a busy month in Isabel's life and it's a long while since we have posted an update.

Isabel's successful surgery in December of 2008 to lengthen her contracted Achilles Tendons of both her ankles now means that she has the ability to stand and to walk with some assistance. Mum is quick to say that she is not about to run any races, however, her strength and ability has amazed her therapists and her family. She can now walk short distances using a tall walking frame and assisted by a therapist on each side of her. Another therapist follows with Mum's wheelchair that holds her portable ventilator. Mum walked on her 2-6 Unit this week amid the cheers of her nurses.

Two months ago, her physiatrist (specialist of physical medicine) said that he expected that Mum would be able to take a few steps by the next time he saw her in April. Well, Mum is thrilled to say that she has taken many more than "a few steps". Mum's progress has meant an increase in therapy time, and she now has 5 hours of what she calls "heavy therapy" each week with her physiotherapist Margot and occupational therapist Mei. Mum says on her letterboard THOSE TWO NEVER GIVE UP ON ME. And they are quick to respond "Isabel has never given up on herself ~ or her trust in us." In addition, to the diligent work of this three-person team ~ Isabel, Mei and Margot ~ their assistants Barb, Karen and Ronna do therapy with Mum at 8 am for 15 minutes three days a week.

On Saturday, Isabel had her first outing of the spring and attended a theatre production at Sunset United Church in south-western Regina. Thanks to Mum's niece Gayle and friend Joyce who helped make all this possible. The musical that included 40 children and adults was the story of Moses and Miriam and the journey of the people of Israel. "Are We There Yet?" was an apt title for the play, and a reminder to us all of the journeys of faith that we make in our lives. Mum has said several times over the last few months I SO WANT TO WALK AGAIN. Well, Mum, you are "there"! You are walking again defying the predictions of many who have assessed your health in the last 17 months. Who knows what other meanings "Are we there yet?" may have in this journey of yours and of all who support you.

There is more good news to report ~ including about Rufus 11 ~ but that needs to wait for another posting.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This winter one of our cousins from Ottawa~Bristol, Quebec wrote Isabel a letter about his boyhood memories of her Grandfather Andrew Russell. The letter came shortly after Robbie Burns' Day, and he reminded Mum that she has Irish ancestry, too!

So here's to March 17th and the 'wearing of the green'!

Today Isabel is off to physio-therapy and her music class, and is training another family member in the riding~driving of Rufus.

Introducing Rufus the Second

Isabel has named her new power-wheelchair, Rufus the Second.

In 1947, while teaching at her first one-room school of grades 1-8 southeast of Saskatoon, Isabel’s mode of transportation was a horse by the name of Rufus. From Monday through Friday, she hitched Rufus to a two-wheeled gig to make the journey from where she boarded to the school. Rufus pulled Miss Robertson, 3 students, 4 lunches, a flour sack of books, a cream can of drinking water, and a sheaf of oats to and fro on a daily basis. On the weekend, Isabel rode Rufus to her home at Bradwell (a distance of 8 or 9 miles).

With one look at Rufus 11, you can see the comparison to his namesake. Behind Mum’s seat on Rufus 11 is a tray that holds her ventilator and large battery, oxygen, and 3 bags of equipment that she might need while on outings. All of this paraphernalia accompanies Mum every time she leaves her room.

Rufus, Mum, and all the belongings add up to approximately 500 pounds. Keep your toes out of the way!

When we visited Mum recently, she was in her old chair and announced on her letter board that RUFUS IS AT THE VET’S. Rufus’ gears needed adjustment and off he had gone to visit the wheelchair techie. Each evening, Rufus 11 goes to “the barn” to spend the night with 12 other “horses” for “hay and a sleep” (also known as 12 hours of battery recharging) before the next day’s “ride”.

Photos of Rufus 1 and Rufus 11 hang beside each other in Isabel’s room. Visitors are likely to hear the escapades of both “horses” when visiting Isabel.

Isabel trained the original Rufus to pull a cart down a straight lane leading to her family home. Rufus 11 is learning to “neck rein” in the straight halls of Wascana. Mum has use of only her index finger and thumb of her left hand and Rufus 11 needs to turn with just a slight touch of her hand.

Rufus 1 had four gears – walk, trot, canter, and gallop. Mum’s Occupational Therapist made sure that Rufus 11 had only two gears – walk and canter (the latter for the staff’s use when Isabel needs to make a quick trip down the hall to therapy). “Walk” might better be described as “bull-low” for those of you who know what it is like to drive a grain truck during harvest. “Bull-low” is the gear below “low” –designed so that an over-eager driver with a heavy load does not strip the gears.

Isabel has patiently explained “bull-low” on her letter board to her urban therapists and nurses. One day last week, her Physiotherapist asked Mum to demonstrate “bull-low” to her colleagues. Isabel grabbed the joystick of her chair, forgot about the huge load on the tray behind her seat, put Rufus 11 in reverse, and promptly ploughed into a wall.

Her Physiotherapist’s response: “You call that bull-low, Isabel? I call that bull-in-a-china shop!”

And so the training of Rufus 11 continues! Stay tuned for more adventures.