Young At Heart

Isabel moved this week.

Or more appropriately said: Isabel was moved this week ~ from Unit 2-6 where she has lived for 35 months to Unit M-5 (Main - 5) at Wascana.

You have to be careful what you wish for. Isabel weaned herself from the ventilator a year ago. That means she could no longer stay in the same room that she has been in for a year. Nor could she stay on the same unit if she wanted a single room.

Mum got off the vent ~ and had to move so her space could be open for another person who uses a ventilator to help them breathe ~ just as a room came open for her three years ago.

And thus we enter the next chapter of Isabel's adventures at Wascana.

I have wondered what to name this blog entry ~ this notice of Isabel's move to Main 5 - Room 519.

Mum now lives on the ground-floor of Wascana on a unit of 37 residents where the average age is 53.

Last night, a nurse from her former unit, upon hearing the news of the move said immediately: "Oh, she is so young at heart. That unit is a perfect place for Isabel."

That may not have been Mum's sentiments when told at 8 AM on Tuesday that she would be moving within hours...and as Christmas cards came tumbling down, plants were loaded up, and a few beloved long-time staff had a hurried goodbye.

But Isabel IS young at heart ~ and despite not being excited about this move ~ is taking it in her stride ~ as she has each step along this path. Surprise visits from Abernethy & Lemberg friends each day this week have brought positive energy to her new room.

Mum's phone number stays the same at: 306-545-5994.

Her address changes to:

Unit M-5, Wascana Rehab Centre
2180 - 23rd Avenue
Regina, SK S4S 0A5

And onward we go to a new year!