waterlogged

August 21, 2022

I’m swimming again.

Years ago, I blogged about this activity and my history with it so I won’t reiterate that Nonsense. Besides, things have changed — especially my pool. Previously, I swam at a gym that shared their pool with the local hospital rehabilitation service. Water therapy is an amazing avenue for low-resistance training. That gym has changed hands over the last few tears. The upkeep and liability of having a public pool is a huge responsibility. Alas, the new owners decided to cement the pool and make an aerobics room.

heavy sigh AND long pause

Fortunately, I was good on my end: I had no time to swim. It sounds dumb — the actual activity takes less than 30 minutes, but the process of doing it is so much more involved. Sometimes just the thought of getting the damn trunks on and diving in the pool was reason enough to head to the gym for a workout instead. After my hip surgery, I decided to start swimming again to aide my recovery. Thankfully, that road was smooth  — my hips didn’t lie or let me down. Still, I wanted something new to spice up the workout routine. The local YMCA  pool was primarily salt water with the slightest hint of chlorine to keep up with code. Sweet!!! No more smell, no more dry skin, AND no more icky hair.

Unfortunately, it was the ‘Y” — joining came with a hefty  monthly fee and I often have to share my lane. I don’t like to share. Worse, hardly anyone knows the fucking definition of lap swimming. NOTE: the word FLOAT is nowhere to be found. Ugh! it’s so frustrating. I want to swim to decrease stress. Having some old person float or, worse,  kids playing in the deep end does NOT qualify as lap swimming. Even more worse – no one seemed to care.

Well, I do.

Believe me when I say, whomever shares a lane with me soon moves. I swim with a purpose. And I probably radiate ripples of anger that choke anyone in close proximity. Who knew my asshole aura would work even when wet?! Then again, I make a lot of … waves! Literally. I am not one who can dive in a pool and swim twenty lengths at a time without stopping. I get bored rather quickly. So, to shake up my workout I do a modified version of an Individual Medley. For those that don’t swim an IM is a combination of all four strokes: butterfly, back, breast, and free. To warm up, I do freestyle in place of fly for a few sets. Then, I am all in, baby. Let me tell you, no one messes with someone who does butterfly. It’s a statement stroke.

Please know, my intentions are pure. I want to swim simply because it’s a wonderful sport with even more wonderful cardo and physiological benefits. Furthermore, my workout remains the same regardless of how may other swimmers, or floaters, are in the pool.

Well, my Random Nonsense of a rant is over. If I continued, I would definitely become waterlogged!

Splash!

1 – 5 – 1

February 20, 2022

My recovery is going quite well. I have graduated from the walker to a cane. The transition took a bit longer than anticipated due to that whole ice/swelling issue. Although I remain a tad swollen, I am assured that will subside soon. I struggled with the cane option.  Let’s just call it retail PTSD. Usually, people with canes are especially demanding. Thus, I have a strong desire to beat the person over the head with their cane because they just don’t want to listen.

Breathe – I’m better now.

Moreover, canes are not the sturdiest. But I did find a quad-foot cane – it is proving to be very useful. I can guarantee that the transition away from it will be much faster.

Now, I will address that obscure post title. It’s a ‘breakdown’ of my disability.

The first week was a wash because my surgery was pushed back due to insurance parameters. Then, I had five wonderful weeks of recovery; a much needed, and well-deserved, reprieve from the constraints of the Daily Grind. Hence, one week to go until my Life starts again. Reality has trickled in slowly. Unfortunately. However, I am going to make this final week count. Before I do, I want to share my random list of To Dones crossed off thus far.

  1. I actually (pauses intended) used frozen, pre-prepared foods. Usually, I pawn off such food on my son. However, I decided with the immobility in the first few weeks, I needed to hit the deep freeze myself.
  2. I purged through quite a lot of old files. Fun fact – I have a ‘vanities’ file – pictures of items I’ve torn from magazines before they all became digital. Good news – I still like the majority of the items saved. Bad news – I still can’t afford them.
  3. I began re-assessing my recipes. Over the years, I have saved an over-abundance of recipes torn from, yes, magazines.  This intention was two-fold; inspired by my latest project. First, I have always wanted to provide a cook book for my children. Secondly, I had so many recipes I knew I would never make. It hindered me from finding the recipe I needed. Oh, and that inspiration I referenced – read the book when it becomes available.
  4. I decided to join the local YMCA to swim. I’ve been wanting to change up my exercise routine for some time. What better way to rehab them hips than swimming?
  5. I read a book at home. Without falling asleep after two pages.
  6. I reconnected with friends I’ve been wanting to do so with for some time. Scheduling becomes so much easier when one party – me – has absolutely no commitments.
  7. Last, but certainly not least, I did nothing. One day, I watched the fucking snow – it was really nice.

Well, there are a few more things, but  that about sums it up. This last week will be riddled with a more hectic To Do list of things that fall in line to cope with reality – so not looking forward to that.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/shakira-hips-don-t-lie-official-music-video-ft-wyclef-jean/vi-BBRsPaM

Even though I AM officially titanium and my doctor was amazing, my hips will NEVER be that agile.

And, I don’t lie!