Isabel says that her "theme" for this summer is: "Bloom where you are planted".
She says this while enjoying the second floor terrace garden filled with red, pink and white geraniums, pansies, violas, wave petunias, salvia, lavatera, polka dots, poppies and portulaca (the flower, not the weed!). Isabel's terrace garden was all planted with only the occasional tiny visible patch of soil. And then along came the Wascana Rec Director with some more bedding plants that needed a home. STUFF THEM IN, Isabel said....
Colour abounds and there is no order.....
Just like life.
Bloom where you are planted.
Isabel has a new neighbour. Isabel is helping her new friend get adjusted to the "ropes at Wascana". Her new friend is a lifelong gardener who like Mum can no longer actively do the gardening, but can supervise and enjoy! She and Isabel have had a long discussion about "gardens we have known and loved".
A lovely lounge with floor to ceiling windows overlooks the terrace garden. Her new neighbour spends many hours in that lounge each day, and we are thankful to be able to share Isabel's flowers. Family members from both rooms now fertilize and water the garden as the long days of summer enjoyment stretch before us.
Happy Summer Solstice!
From the Gang in the Garden
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Summer Days at Last!
Isabel indulged her love of all things flowering this week with a family trip to the Regina Floral Conservatory. Two hours amid flowering hydrangeas, begonias, and many familiar and not familiar annuals with a backdrop of tropical ferns, palms, figs and cacti resulted in an informative and relaxing visit.
With summer temperatures finally with us, Isabel's own terrace garden is flourishing at last. Mum has a new neighbour at Wascana, who like her, loves gardening. Along with welcoming and helping orient her new friend to Wascana's ways, Isabel is glad to be able to share the terrace and overlooking lounge with someone who appreciates bright coloured blooms as much as she does.
Four friends from Abernethy came for a three-hour visit and Isabel's tour of Wascana on Saturday! It was a great day!
Happy summer days, everyone!
With summer temperatures finally with us, Isabel's own terrace garden is flourishing at last. Mum has a new neighbour at Wascana, who like her, loves gardening. Along with welcoming and helping orient her new friend to Wascana's ways, Isabel is glad to be able to share the terrace and overlooking lounge with someone who appreciates bright coloured blooms as much as she does.
Four friends from Abernethy came for a three-hour visit and Isabel's tour of Wascana on Saturday! It was a great day!
Happy summer days, everyone!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
"I Just Can't Stop Talking"
This posting could be called:
* A Red Letter Day
* A Quiet Miracle, or
* A Noisy Miracle!!!
But we are calling it "I just can't stop talking" as these are Isabel's words.
On Friday, Mum hosted two early-bird Abernethy friends for morning coffee in the Wascana cafeteria. She and Rufus then led them on a tour of Wascana ~ to the Departments of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy ~ then Recreation and Music Therapy ~ and then to the Chapel. Then down the elevator to the main floor to the gift shop and concourse and to see the huge art on the walls. The walk and drive took in the floor-to-ceiling windows, many huge live plants and trees inside Wascana, and the hundreds of recently planted bedding plants (shivering in our June cold!) on the terraces and courtyards.
Then it was back to Isabel's room where Mum took the plunge and carried on an hour's conversation OUT-LOUD with her friends. With her trach cuff deflated, the questions and comments tumbled out as Mum got caught up on all the news at home.
As family we watched ~ almost in disbelief ~ at Mum's ability to talk out-loud this much ~ and this well. Long after her friends left, she chatted on.
As she said Friday morning, "I haven't talked for 20 months, and now I just can't stop talking".
You go, girl!
It ain't all easy. Mum continues to have some paralysis in her throat which means she can't easily swallow. She needs to suction her mouth (just like at the dentist) every few minutes.
Mum can only speak out-loud if a family member or nurse is present to deflate her trach cuff, so if you are visiting, you may not hear her speak. She still uses her letter-board most of the time.
Some sounds are hard to say. "CA" and "J" aren't easy, but "N" is ~ so Nancy is getting far more orders than Catherine and Janet!
Mum has weakness in the tip of her tongue and back of her palette so her speech pathologist has given her exercises. Some words are still difficult to make out.
The set breathing in and out of the ventilator can make it difficult to talk. Yes, even when the trach cuff is deflated, Mum still uses the ventilator 24/7 to help her breathe. 8 small puffs a minute.
However Isabel's stamina and strength of voice are excellent, and we are confident that she will overcome the issues with which she still struggles. In the meantime, we rejoice in hearing for the first time faint but recognizable laughter and the familiar intonation of her voice. Her characteristic rolling of eyes, shoulder shrugging and animated left hand now accompany out-loud words.
Tumbling out with all these words is GRATITUDE.......who could have ever guessed after these long months that Isabel would speak full sentences and questions again?
* A Red Letter Day
* A Quiet Miracle, or
* A Noisy Miracle!!!
But we are calling it "I just can't stop talking" as these are Isabel's words.
On Friday, Mum hosted two early-bird Abernethy friends for morning coffee in the Wascana cafeteria. She and Rufus then led them on a tour of Wascana ~ to the Departments of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy ~ then Recreation and Music Therapy ~ and then to the Chapel. Then down the elevator to the main floor to the gift shop and concourse and to see the huge art on the walls. The walk and drive took in the floor-to-ceiling windows, many huge live plants and trees inside Wascana, and the hundreds of recently planted bedding plants (shivering in our June cold!) on the terraces and courtyards.
Then it was back to Isabel's room where Mum took the plunge and carried on an hour's conversation OUT-LOUD with her friends. With her trach cuff deflated, the questions and comments tumbled out as Mum got caught up on all the news at home.
As family we watched ~ almost in disbelief ~ at Mum's ability to talk out-loud this much ~ and this well. Long after her friends left, she chatted on.
As she said Friday morning, "I haven't talked for 20 months, and now I just can't stop talking".
You go, girl!
It ain't all easy. Mum continues to have some paralysis in her throat which means she can't easily swallow. She needs to suction her mouth (just like at the dentist) every few minutes.
Mum can only speak out-loud if a family member or nurse is present to deflate her trach cuff, so if you are visiting, you may not hear her speak. She still uses her letter-board most of the time.
Some sounds are hard to say. "CA" and "J" aren't easy, but "N" is ~ so Nancy is getting far more orders than Catherine and Janet!
Mum has weakness in the tip of her tongue and back of her palette so her speech pathologist has given her exercises. Some words are still difficult to make out.
The set breathing in and out of the ventilator can make it difficult to talk. Yes, even when the trach cuff is deflated, Mum still uses the ventilator 24/7 to help her breathe. 8 small puffs a minute.
However Isabel's stamina and strength of voice are excellent, and we are confident that she will overcome the issues with which she still struggles. In the meantime, we rejoice in hearing for the first time faint but recognizable laughter and the familiar intonation of her voice. Her characteristic rolling of eyes, shoulder shrugging and animated left hand now accompany out-loud words.
Tumbling out with all these words is GRATITUDE.......who could have ever guessed after these long months that Isabel would speak full sentences and questions again?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wascana's Highways and Byways
Spring has finally arrived in Saskatchewan and with three calm sunny warm days mid-week, Isabel was out and about to work on her tan and to check out the variety of plants and trees in Wascana Park and around her home. There are 42 acres of park near Wascana Rehab Centre so there are many places to visit this summer.
A highlight was Mum being able to drive herself (with family accompaniment) to Wascana Lake, a 10 minute wheelchair drive from Wascana Rehab Centre. Rufus 11 "walked" ~ 1st gear ~ and no "trotting" so we all had time to enjoy the views. Mum eagerly pointed out Saskatoon and chokecherry blossoms, day-lilies that will bloom in a month, flowering ornamental crab-apples, and other flowering shrubs too numerous to mention. Bird life abounds... robins, goldfinches, and lots of Canada Geese goslings!
Another day, we headed west of Wascana Rehab Centre and Mum drove on the flowering shrub-bordered road between the Art Gallery and Wascana. While dozing in the sun in front of the building, an Abernethy friend dropped in for a 45 minute visit. Mum went to bed that evening with the lovely feeling of sun and wind tan on her face.
Isabel oversaw the planting of her terrace garden....six shades of red, orange, and pink hardy geraniums to withstand the prairie wind and sun on the second floor terrace. On a whim, we also added polka-dot plants with the happy-face pansies and johnny-jump-ups (violas) that are already blooming there. A rooster garden ornament and Mum's Celtic stepping stones (gift of a nurse last year) add to the garden for this year.
We are all thankful for the sun and beauty of this season, and that Isabel is enjoying every minute of being outside.
A highlight was Mum being able to drive herself (with family accompaniment) to Wascana Lake, a 10 minute wheelchair drive from Wascana Rehab Centre. Rufus 11 "walked" ~ 1st gear ~ and no "trotting" so we all had time to enjoy the views. Mum eagerly pointed out Saskatoon and chokecherry blossoms, day-lilies that will bloom in a month, flowering ornamental crab-apples, and other flowering shrubs too numerous to mention. Bird life abounds... robins, goldfinches, and lots of Canada Geese goslings!
Another day, we headed west of Wascana Rehab Centre and Mum drove on the flowering shrub-bordered road between the Art Gallery and Wascana. While dozing in the sun in front of the building, an Abernethy friend dropped in for a 45 minute visit. Mum went to bed that evening with the lovely feeling of sun and wind tan on her face.
Isabel oversaw the planting of her terrace garden....six shades of red, orange, and pink hardy geraniums to withstand the prairie wind and sun on the second floor terrace. On a whim, we also added polka-dot plants with the happy-face pansies and johnny-jump-ups (violas) that are already blooming there. A rooster garden ornament and Mum's Celtic stepping stones (gift of a nurse last year) add to the garden for this year.
We are all thankful for the sun and beauty of this season, and that Isabel is enjoying every minute of being outside.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Update on Rufus 11
Long and ever ago, we promised an update on Rufus 11, Isabel's power-chair.
Rufus is trainable and now makes his way in 4th gear around the Wascana building. Isabel has proven to be a masterful driver and has avoided any major collisions with walls or other residents! She has not yet take up the challenge by some of the staff to drag-race with the teenagers who live on the unit. Her expertise is in parallel parking when she wheels up to the raised physio mat in the physio room.
Rufus on the other hand has his ornery moments when he just stops and won't move. As niece Gayle pointed out "Just like a skittish horse who won't cross a crack in the road". It turns out that Rufus comes to a full and abrupt stop if he (and Mum) are unbalanced in any way.
Isabel is grateful for the independence of a power-chair. Although she cannot leave her unit unaccompanied (Wascana policy for those that use ventilators to help them breathe), she motors along throughout the building when someone accompanies her. Driving to hear Larry & Marj share their music at the Wascana Birthday Party last Thursday was a pleasure.
Mum has had lots of fun telling her various visitors and nurses about Rufus 1 (her horse in 1948) and Rufus 11. Stay tuned for news when Isabel and Rufus 11 make their first trip to Wascana Lake.
One of these days warmer weather will come to the prairies and we will be out and about!
Rufus is trainable and now makes his way in 4th gear around the Wascana building. Isabel has proven to be a masterful driver and has avoided any major collisions with walls or other residents! She has not yet take up the challenge by some of the staff to drag-race with the teenagers who live on the unit. Her expertise is in parallel parking when she wheels up to the raised physio mat in the physio room.
Rufus on the other hand has his ornery moments when he just stops and won't move. As niece Gayle pointed out "Just like a skittish horse who won't cross a crack in the road". It turns out that Rufus comes to a full and abrupt stop if he (and Mum) are unbalanced in any way.
Isabel is grateful for the independence of a power-chair. Although she cannot leave her unit unaccompanied (Wascana policy for those that use ventilators to help them breathe), she motors along throughout the building when someone accompanies her. Driving to hear Larry & Marj share their music at the Wascana Birthday Party last Thursday was a pleasure.
Mum has had lots of fun telling her various visitors and nurses about Rufus 1 (her horse in 1948) and Rufus 11. Stay tuned for news when Isabel and Rufus 11 make their first trip to Wascana Lake.
One of these days warmer weather will come to the prairies and we will be out and about!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Art, Dance and Music at Wascana
Over the last year, several of you have inquired whether Isabel has opportunity to attend cultural events at Wascana. The answer is YES! There are numerous ones, and Isabel has been a regular attender whenever she can.
This weekend, the Regina Art Show is happening in the Concourse with over 70 amateur Regina painters showing their work.
Each Thursday evening, a local musical group performs for the residents. We have told you about Mum's friends, Larry & Marj Middleton who have twice been the featured entertainment. This next week, they return to provide the music for Wascana's May birthday party.
Friday, May 15. 2:30- 3:30. Everyone welcome.
In addition to Marj & Larry, Isabel has recently enjoyed the Queen City Brass Band , Prairie Gold Chorus and the Regina Romanian Dancers. Every Saturday morning, the Regina Mandolin Orchestra practices in the Concourse for 3 hours.
(Yes - you can click on the red letters to read more about the performers.)
Thursday evenings are also a time for Isabel to meet up with new Wascana friends who may live on a different unit but who also attend the performance.
We are grateful for the many musicians and dancers who share their volunteer time and talent with the residents of Wascana.
Interested in reading more about the groups that perform at Wascana? Click on any of the coloured names above to go to their websites.
This weekend, the Regina Art Show is happening in the Concourse with over 70 amateur Regina painters showing their work.
Each Thursday evening, a local musical group performs for the residents. We have told you about Mum's friends, Larry & Marj Middleton who have twice been the featured entertainment. This next week, they return to provide the music for Wascana's May birthday party.
Friday, May 15. 2:30- 3:30. Everyone welcome.
In addition to Marj & Larry, Isabel has recently enjoyed the Queen City Brass Band , Prairie Gold Chorus and the Regina Romanian Dancers. Every Saturday morning, the Regina Mandolin Orchestra practices in the Concourse for 3 hours.
(Yes - you can click on the red letters to read more about the performers.)
Thursday evenings are also a time for Isabel to meet up with new Wascana friends who may live on a different unit but who also attend the performance.
We are grateful for the many musicians and dancers who share their volunteer time and talent with the residents of Wascana.
Interested in reading more about the groups that perform at Wascana? Click on any of the coloured names above to go to their websites.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Mile 100 on the West Nile Road
This is the 100th posting on Isabel's blog. Who would have ever guessed that this story would unfold as it has?
Isabel's slow but persistent progress continues... more oral words come... more steps along the halls of Wascana bring cheers from the staff.
As this new month arrives, Isabel is remembering with gratitude a special day in April when she was able to attend a book launch at Wascana for The West Nile Diary. Kathleen and Rick Gibson of Yorkton tell their own story of Rick's West Nile Neurological Disease diagnosis and recovery in a recently published book that begins in August of 2007.
The Leader Post continues to tell their story (click here). Information about the book can be found here.
Kathleen's book highlights the events of August 2007 in a timeline that parallels Isabel's blog of the same time. Kathleen goes on to tell about the experiences of "faith, hope and therapy" of Wascana Rehabilitation Centre where she and Rick lived for several months while he participated in therapy.
We are thankful for friendship with Kathleen and Rick, and other West Nile survivors whom Isabel has met along the road.
Here's a toast to the next 100 miles!
Isabel's slow but persistent progress continues... more oral words come... more steps along the halls of Wascana bring cheers from the staff.
As this new month arrives, Isabel is remembering with gratitude a special day in April when she was able to attend a book launch at Wascana for The West Nile Diary. Kathleen and Rick Gibson of Yorkton tell their own story of Rick's West Nile Neurological Disease diagnosis and recovery in a recently published book that begins in August of 2007.
The Leader Post continues to tell their story (click here). Information about the book can be found here.
Kathleen's book highlights the events of August 2007 in a timeline that parallels Isabel's blog of the same time. Kathleen goes on to tell about the experiences of "faith, hope and therapy" of Wascana Rehabilitation Centre where she and Rick lived for several months while he participated in therapy.
We are thankful for friendship with Kathleen and Rick, and other West Nile survivors whom Isabel has met along the road.
Here's a toast to the next 100 miles!
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