Spring Paradise

There is a little piece of paradise in the middle of concrete and traffic In the north-central area of Regina. The Regina Floral Conservatory brings great joy to the gardeners in our family. The Conservatory is volunteer-run and welcomes informal visits (Isabel & entourage) and formal visits (weddings, anniversaries and teas).

The Floral Conservatory was Isabel and Rufus lll's first "post-vent" destination. With Isabel comfortably off the ventilator and oxygen all the time now, spring called her beyond the wintery confines of Wascana Rehab Centre. For two hours we shed our wintery apparel and wheeled into glorious spring. Orchids, tulips, daffodils, primulas, narcissus, hyacinths, cyclamen, kalanche, shamrocks, and Easter Egg plants welcomed us for a visit.

Rose, the "Tea-Organizer" Volunteer laid on spring linens and china for our tea. She then provided us with a private tour of the back-room where the 1000s of bulbs come upstairs from winter storage, and school children are taught the basics of gardening and terrarium making (from large pickle jars). Rose sent a double white kalanche ("google" that one!) home for Isabel's window. And now Isabel and her neighbours check their terrace garden on a daily basis to see when their own tulips will emerge. Happy Spring, everyone!

The Travels of Isabel and Rufus lll

It's been a long time since we have updated the blog. None of us have had much time for writing as we try to keep up with Isabel. She has had a busy month with therapy and watching the Para-Olympics and Curling. Yea! Swift Current, Saskatchewan! What a curling show you and the women of the world are putting on for all of us! (And thanks all of you who wrote about viewing times and websites for the Para-Olympics.)

With Isabel now comfortably off the ventilator and oxygen 24/7 for well over a month, she and Rufus are able to travel much more freely in "Wascana". Note the posted map and all the possibilities for the future. Mum can now go to all appointments on her floor on her own. She waves good-bye to the Unit Clerk or a Nurse and off she goes down the halls slowing carefully at the intersections to check the concave mirrors on the ceiling for traffic coming from any direction.

Then with a quick prod, Rufus lll is on his way again. Mum's favourite gear is "7" and as far as we can tell, that's high gear!

As Isabel says: "Letters and visits keep me sane; and the therapists keep me in shape." Right now, Mum is receiving 15 or more physio- and occupational therapy appointments a week that range from daily electrode stimulation of her arm muscles; daily walking (490 steps with one short rest in the middle is her best walk so far); practising standing and sitting and transfers from bed to chair again and again; and cycling with resistance (same as going uphill).

There is no doubt she is in "good shape"! Muscle contracture and neurological damage continue to cause significant restriction in her hands and arms; and balance is sometimes an issue, however, she is flying!

Who would have ever guessed even a few months ago that Isabel would be navigating the lengthy halls of Wascana on her own whether to go to therapy or for a hair appointment.

More news soon, we promise!

Sleep-Over Shenanigans

Isabel has a good friend visiting from Okotoks, Alberta. A sleep-over was planned for the halls of Wascana and hours of conversation, laughter, conversation around the table, walks throughout the building, and sharing of old photographs was part of the 24-hour visit. In the evening, the two friends watched a DVD of the Edinburgh Tattoo ~ the extravagant global festival of dance, song, and massed (bag)pipes and drums that takes place on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade each year. (Thanks to two Bradwell friends who lent their DVD by Canada Post.)

Mum has a new student physiotherapist, and now has 15 therapy appointments each week ranging from 15 minutes to one hour for these next two weeks. As she says, "I should be getting in shape!"

After two weeks of Mum's unit being on isolation (and lots of Olympics watching), Isabel and Rufus 111 are once again speeding through the halls to her physiotherapy sessions. Chance visits with new Wascana friends while she is to-ing and fro-ing lead to catch-up conversations after being on isolation for so much of this winter.

This week Isabel is grateful again for old friends and new friends, lengthening days, the distraction of sports ~ O Canada!.......and the Brier that begins this weekend! Thanks to all of you who have written or phoned with good cheer about Isabel's weaning from the ventilator.

And if anyone finds out details of the Para-Olympics airing on TV, let us know!