Saturday, May 17, 2008

Sunday Scribblings - "Soar/Sore"


Today I soared because after two summers I'm back in the pool...yay!!! This actually helps fight muscle loss and I can't stop grinning that I'm back in the water. It was not a simple task to do cheaply in the mountains. I can't climb a ladder, I must have a water temperature of 80-82 degrees and I need a good space to strengthen my torso. Too hot and it will not work for my body. Here is what "the man" came up with.

A $300 15' round 48" pool with filter and thermal blanket from Wallyworld was placed in the garage. He then rigged a plastic lawn chair from a ceiling hoist to raise me up and over the pool. The biggest problem was the temperature of the water. The cost to heat this watery big guy was too high for us and solar would be difficult in a garage. Hence the cute SKIN TIGHT Roxy wet suit for $200, plus boots. The trick we were told was to fill the wetsuit with warm water while squeezing into it. This keeps the cold water out and me warm. Most scuba divers just pee in their suits but not this girl and not in my pool. I was full of water as I waddled to my chair ready to soar through the air (up 4ft and over 1ft, so sue me).

On the first go the chair tilted so Dave swiftly got in, fully clothed, to catch me before I slipped off the chair (yes, I cried like a baby but I can't swim). Adjustments were made as I worked out happily, until I felt a tiny bit of weakness. The key is to listen to that signal and stop. I did stop but then I floated, splashed and played. Nikki needed to see mama but she no likey water and stopped whining. It was pure heaven in that water! When I have my dumbbell floaters I feel normal again. I wish I could describe the feeling of moving through the water as if cured. In the water I'm not disabled and it reminds me there is still hope. I don't have to sit and wait for the cure, I can swim to it. $500 bucks plus chemicals is very cheap to keep me walking. Thank you Dave! (He kept the garage closed in case it did not go well. lol)

I will fall asleep tonight with a big smile on my face and I will welcome being SORE tomorrow...WooHoo!

To read others go to http://sundayscribblings.blogspot.com/

30 comments:

Becca said...

I am so glad you were able to accomplish this, and get back into the water again! That smile on your face in the photos says it all!

I'll tell you, that Dave is one amazing guy. He should go into business doing creative solutions for special needs folks!

Anonymous said...

I have tears in my eyes as I see you in the water, I know how special this is to you and am so happy that you found a way for it to work. How wonderful!

Love You

Granny Smith said...

This is indeed good news since it makes you feel so much happier. Dave is creative and the kind of husband to have.

I wish you many happy days of water exercise and the sense of well-being it brings you.

Your fellow Northern Californian,

Phyllis

Anonymous said...

I stumbled across your blog today. I wanted to say congrats on you accomplishment today and that Dave sounds like an amazing man!!! You are so blesses to have such a supportive man in your corner!!

Keep up the fight!
LaTrice

emmapeelDallas said...

What a great solution! I'm glad you're back in the water!

:)

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful! And you soared in so many ways.

Pirate Princess said...

A great accomplishment indeed! Congrats! I'm so glad your impending SORENESS didn't impede your SOARING. hehe ;) I am amazed - you really are a warrior!

Crafty Green Poet said...

its so great that you're able to get back into the water, it must feel wonderful!

TJ said...

Hugs and I am smiling! I love these photos!
See you when I get back from my surgery.
I did a last post...Love TJ

Nancy said...

You are so freakin' adorable I can hardly stand it.
And Tammy, you do look so very happy in the water...you're beamin' and gleamin'.
The one with you and Nikki is priceless.

Thank Dave for me for taking care of my good buddy.

Love you,
Nance

rebecca said...

you bring tears to my eyes tammy every time you let us delve a little deeper into your very brave world. i see you and can't help but become strengthened by your light and spirit. you have such a wonderful and caring man and you look beautiful and happy in these pictures.

blessings and all my love to you always,
rebecca

Jon said...

This is the first time I've commented here, I've read your previous posts and have always found them very moving.
This is a wonderful achievement.

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Warrior Woman! Where there's a will there's a way! Super news.

I actually went swimming last Friday, (tho' I really had to beat myself to go), and I'm glad I did. It helped my back alot. My water is 89 degrees, and I'm looking forward to going again next week.

Loved the picture!

GreenishLady said...

Oh, Tammy, that just made me all weepy and happy to see that you've both found ways to manage this. Your description of the freedom of movement in the water was very touching. I hope you continue to enjoy and benefit from your pool for a long, long, time. ... Did I ever tell you what an inspiration you are?

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Kudos to Superman, too, and we all know who is is!

Mary Timme said...

What an admirable and unstoppable force the two of you are! I love it!

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
This post made me cry, pure happiness for you. Pure love between the two of you. The purest love I have ever seen. The way you write and describe being in the water, it so wonderful. You are such an inspiration. The two of you are so magical together. Nothing is going to stand in your way.
Enjoy your week.
XOXOXO

Lucy said...

Tam! I LOVE your slide show! YOU are the most adorable woman! You reminded me of Sandy Duncan SOARING in the air as Peter Pan, Only you are soaring away in your pool in the garage! With wet suit instead of wings! haha
The lump in my throat and the tears in my eyes are with me because of Your feisty tenacity and amazing endurance. I am SO happy that Superdave came up with such a brilliant solution. Let's click our glasses together Tam!- cheers to sore muscles in the morning baby!! xoxo ♥

Tammie Lee said...

Hi Tammy,
I feel so happy for you. What a wonderful man you have. So lovely that you have found a way to feel good and free.

In response to your middle name, my middle name was lee, I changed it to my last name.

Giggles said...

Clap Clap Clap a hundred claps of glee! I am so excited for you! What a man for rigging that up! Now that's love like no other! You guys could teach the world what real tenacious love looks like! Wow what a post!!! Bowing now!!!

Many hugs to you guys and Nikki! Oh how I remember my dogs whines when they wanted something!
Love SHerrie

Pam said...

The smile on your face says it all, Robin, "holy splashdown." I am so happy for you!

Very much love,
Batman

Anonymous said...

Hooray! Oh, Tammy, the slide show says it all, doesn't it? What joy on your face.

A gold star to Dave for all his engineering and willingness to go beyond throwing his cape over a puddle and ending up completely wet just to save his fair maiden.

Amber said...

Aww, that is so GREAT and sweet! I am happy for you!

...They do have a heated pool with a chair lift thingy at our healthy club here... But I guess that would be too far, huh? ;)

:)

bella said...

I can't wipe the smile off my face or dry the tears in my eyes from reading this.
I'm so happy for you, to be in the water again, to feel that weightless freedom, to swim, to play.
And I feel so intensely in this moment your own courage, your warrior heart.

Tinker said...

I'm so happy for you, that you're back in the swim of things again - and Aww, what a great lifeguard you've got!
xox

Lilibeth said...

Wow. Way to Soar! What a great heart you show, and your husband as well. I wish you a wonderful, waterful summer.

michelle said...

Wow this is my first time to your blog - from Sunday Scribblings - and even without knowing you more than 3 minutes I am impressed by your beyond words. I will be back to read more...congrautlations on the pool and all the wonders it works for you.

paisley said...

bravo dave!!! he is a knight in shining armor i am sure!!!!!

Tammy said...

Tammy this is awesome!! I am so happy that Dave rigged this up for you and that you feel so well after being able to exercise!! Yay!!

The Happy Hutter said...

Water is such a marvellous element for making you feel good. I just love your slide show - you are so very smart Tammy! Each time I visit you I am blown away at the amazing things you do.