Hello all.
I was home today, instead of in Woodstock, as I thought I felt a migraine coming on. Must have kept my head well under the covers as it didn't find me. Small mercies...
Aunt Nancy let me know this evening that Alice has decided to move to Sakura House. She'll be going by ambulance on Thursday in the late morning and whomever is around (Nan and I for sure) will move her walker, clothes, flowers, cards, etc. Oh! And the chocolates, too. For sure, the chocolates need to get there safely.
Sakura House has no rules, beyond 'no loud partying at 3 am' as the volunteer who gave us the tour on Saturday told us. Visitors are welcome any time at all, provided that the resident is agreeable to having company. There are lots of rooms and corners to sit quietly in or to chat, if Alice needs a nap or a quiet moment. It is a beautiful property.
Phone number there is 519 537 8515.
Website: http://von.ca/NationalDirectory/branch/pages.aspx?PageId=482&BranchId=35 The illustration of the house on the website is a view from the back yard. Looks a little different from the front.
Address: #715180 Oxford County Rd 4, RR 5, Woodstock ON N4S 7V9
Directions: If in Woodstock, drive through town east on Dundas St to Bond's Corners (last corner before the 401). Turn left onto County Road 4 and drive about 2 km north of Dundas St. You'll see a long brown rail fence (in need of some paint) on the right and it will lead you to Sakura House's front gate.
Devonshire will also get you to County Road 4. Turn left and look for Sakura House almost immediately, on the right.
I used Mapquest and GoogleMaps to try to locate Sakura House. No luck. Mapquest had no idea and Google tried to offer directions to the VON office on Ingersoll Ave, while taking you to Ingersoll Road, while claiming that you would end up on County Road 4! Ah, technology. Still hasn't figured out small towns and rural addresses. Just a warning...
I find I am relieved that Alice has decided to move. Not because her care is not excellent in the hospital--it absolutely is. But because this signifies to me that she is accepting her death as inevitable and close. For someone as stoic as Alice, I sometimes wonder if the pivot point between 'fighting the disease' and 'accepting the situation' is a painful challenge to identity and purpose. I'm glad that it does not seem that way for her. If she can accept what is happening, then so can we. To palliate means 'to ease'. Did you know that? Makes a lot of sense, eh? If moving to Sakura House eases the way for her, then it will also ease the way for us.
We'll get through this. Stay close.
love, Robin.
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