Back in the Water

I got my stitches out on Wednesday of last week.  Dr. Doogie Howser cleared me to swim effective Friday.  It took me until Sunday to get in the water.

I was nervous.  My foot has had some good days but mostly I have felt pain when I have pushed it too far.  Doogie wants me to push on my toe to help alleviate the stiffness...that hurts...and it swells quite a bit after I do my exercises.  So I was really worried about getting in the water and trying to swim. 

On an unrelated note, I signed the little ones up for their first triathlon.  Grace didn't think she would be able to do a triathlon until she was 7 (the minimum age for the TriColumbia Kids Tri).  However, MMTC hosts a kids tri where the minimum age is 5.  So I asked Grace if she wanted to do the tri and she said YES.  She asked if she would be able to swim with a life vest and bike with training wheels.  I wasn't sure so I emailed the race director.  Turns out, the answer is yes to both questions.  I told Grace and she got very excited.

The 5 year olds have to swim 25 yds, bike 1/2 mile and run 1/4 mile.  The only thing I'm worried about with Grace is the swim. So when we got to the Y today, she got in the lap lane with me.  She wanted to try to swim her 25 yds with her life vest on.  I asked her if she wanted to use a kickboard.  She said "no way...it holds me back".  (Love this kid's attitude.)

Grace started down the lane.  She was kicking and paddling with determination.  We got to the end of the lane and she had finished her 25 yds with ease!  She grinned and said she wanted to go back.  So she swam another 25 yds.  And then another and then another.  That girl swam 100 yds without stopping!  So I no longer have any concerns about her finishing the swim portion of the tri!

After Grace was done swimming her laps, she went over to where Stephen and Ella were swimming in the rec swim area.  It was time for me to do some laps on my own.

I pushed off the wall with my good foot.  With one kick of my legs, I realized that the pain in my foot was going to keep me from kicking effectively.  I decided to just swim laps with arms only.  My legs basically just dangled behind me uselessly. 

The great news for me was that I never got winded.  The only thing that made me stop was that my arms got really tired.  I swam 500 yds.  That should be seen as a success considering that I'm 2 1/2 weeks out from major surgery on my foot.

The best way to describe my emotions were mixed feelings.  I was so excited to be back in the water and swimming again.  But I wanted to really swim and I couldn't.  I was doing a decent job just pulling with my arms, but I wanted to kick.  I wanted to swim.  I have to accept that this recovery will be slow and steady.  At least I am back in the water.

Bad Patient

I am a bad patient.  I've always been a bad patient.  When I was in college, I had knee surgery over the Winter Break.  I think my mom started calling my friends to come pick me up and get me out of her hair.  It's not that I was demanding...it's that I am just so miserable not being able to do things for myself.  I hate asking for help.

I got my stitches out on Wednesday so now I'm able to drive.  I am an extremely defensive driver now because it hurts so much to slam on the brakes.  But I am loving the fact that I no longer have to depend on other people to drive me where I need to go.

The biggest problem I have right now is that it's such an effort to get up.  When I'm sitting down, I typically take off my aircast.  It's very heavy so I am much more comfortable without it on.  But whenever I get up, I have to wear it...even if I'm just walking to the bathroom.  I am such a klutz that I will not waver on this point.  I have to wear my boot.  So it takes me a few minutes just to put the boot on, get it properly adjusted and fastened.  What a hassle. 

I think Stephen is tired of me asking him to get things for me.  He has been good about it but I'm sure it's getting old.  And I really wish I could just hop up and get myself a glass of water...or whatever. 

Before my surgery people had said to me "enjoy being waited on".  I don't know how to do that.  Maybe someday I will figure that out, but for now I just really wish I could do things for myself.

I have not been to the gym.  I'm hoping that I can get there tomorrow.  I think that a big part of me is more than a little nervous.  It is painful to stand for any period of time.  I just took my first shower today.  I really want to swim but I'm nervous about it.  I really want to do a workout but I'm nervous about that too. 

I just keep reminding myself that healing is the most important thing to do right now.  I can jump in the pool any time.  But unless I'm smart about this recovery, I won't be returning to top shape any time soon.  So I don't want to rush into doing too much.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?