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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Pool Therapy!

Smile its friday Pictures, Images and PhotosJust thought for a change of pace I would share my pool therapy experiences with all of you.
The very minute the neurosurgeon mentioned that I was going to be doing pool therapy my brain went into overdrive visioning myself in a bathing suit. I completely blocked out everything else he was saying to me and just sat there thinking that if anyone sees me in a bathing suit they will need therapy afterwards. Thank goodness Sharon was with me in the room because I knew she would hear what I did not.

Never mind the man was explaining to me about how I needed to lay flat on my back for the next 8 weeks and did I have someone at home to take care of me. Nope did not hear anything except the words Pool Therapy!
I live in a small town that was established way back when Columbus found America. Never did my history on the town since this is not where I was born and raised but most of the old families are of German descent. Your thinking here she goes off on a totally different story than the one she started. But you see all the way back from the doctor’s visit from College Station I was telling Sharon the only bathing suit I am getting into will be one like they wore in the 1900’s. She of course being the friend she is started calling every woman in town over 85 asking them if they had one of those bathing suits. She even put it on our Country Store. Desperately in need of a woman’s bathing suit from the early 1900’s. Thank God she did not tell them why she wanted one. Since Sharon is a collector of everything no one probably thought anything of it.

No luck so now what. I talked to the people at the Rehab place and they told me I could wear anything that was not cotton so if I found shorts and T-shirts that were not cotton that would be fine.

Usually when I have a crazy problem my friend Alan and I laugh about it on the phone. He usually being older than me can come up with some pretty good ideas sometimes I listen sometimes I lay the phone down and go do other things. This was one of those times I should of laid the phone down because I said something like can you just see me in a bathing suit and he replied, "That is a vision I am trying real hard not to experience!" Smart alec!
He suggested I go to the men’s department at Wal Mart and buy what he wears around the house during the summer because they are so comfortable and they were 100 percent polyester. So I go to Wal Mart went right where he told me they would be and bought me a pair of men’s polyester shorts and tank top. Tried them own in the dressing room and since they were men’s the outfit pretty much looked like the bathing suits they wore a century ago. The shorts were long and baggy and the top well we want go there.

A kind sales lady there new what I looking for so she brought me several women’s bathing suits to the dressing room and tried to convince me that I should buy one of those instead. I tried them own and actually screamed when I turned and looked in the mirror. Oh my Gosh it is hell getting old. Well I told her no but heck no I was sticking to men’s outfit.

Well that night our sweet friend Susan from Art of Mine called to check on me and of course I explained to her what I did and she is laughing on the other end trying to imagine me going to therapy in what I had bought. She then saved the day by telling me that she had been to a Wal Mart there and saw some cute women’s bathing suit shorts with tops that matched. I told her I was sure they did not have them at mine because the kind ole lady there never showed me anything like what she was talking about. I did promised Susan I would go back and see if they did have anything like she was talking about.

Much to my surprise they did have them and once again a friend from Blog land saved my day. I bought the biggest pair of white shorts they had because the black ones were only in small sizes and I found a cute top to go with the shorts. I take them in the dressing room and the shorts are fine except for white on white you could not tell where the shorts ended and my legs began. But the top was a different story. It was of course low cut and backless with two straps. I kid you not in this top my boobs looked like they had dropped to my waist. No support I guess might give you that look. Not sure because I know I am not that old yet. Getting there yes but Jeezzz Marie. So I played with the straps and pulled them up several inches and thought well this might work if I take it home and tack them up.

Traded the men’s outfit for this one and felt a little better about being seen in public in a bathing suit. Of course while shopping I bought the biggest beach towel they sold so I could cover my bod up walking to the pool.

As the day got closer I tried on the suit again and realized just too much cleavage for a woman my age. Plus my tattoo from my radiation treatments showed and if you can see that then you can see too much of my breast. Hahaha I kept thinking okay what next. I went into my one and only closet in this ole farm house and started searching for something that might work under it. I found a tank top that was not cotton and it had you know one of those built in support things where you could wear it without a bra. Bingo I put in on under the bathing suit and NOT Bad at least my front was covered.

Well the day I dreaded came and I went into the dressing room to change. I guess I was taking too long because one of the instructors came to find me. I don’t know if she thought I had fallen or what but she hurried me out of there.

I rounded the corner from the dressing room to the pool area and immediately I thought I was an extra in the movie Cocoon. You know the movie about all the old people that gather in this pool and all kinds of things happen to them from outer space and they feel like a million dollars. Would you believe all of sudden I felt like Marilyn Monroe! I felt young and alive because everyone in the pool had to be a good twenty or thirty years older than me. Isn’t it strange how God answers so many of our prayer’s even the small ones. I wasn’t afraid of sending someone into therapy for seeing me in my suit because I figured at the distance I was from them most of them poor things could not see me.

Once in the pool I felt good because then they could only see me from the neck up. The pool felt good and since my fall I felt good and so I enjoyed doing the little exercises they gave me to do. I was even having so much fun watching the others that I did not keep count of how many I was doing. Which turned out to be a big mistake two days later. By Sunday I hurt so bad I could not get out of bed. You can bet that when I went yesterday I made sure I did no more than the ten count and maybe sometimes I might have stopped at 8.
The only thing bad is the pool is small and at times too crowded and the first day I kept running into the old man who had his leg stuck out in back with a weight on it. He was tall and I could not figure out why he was in the four foot end where I had to be to keep from drowning. So I kept bumping into him and I did it so much he thought I was flirting with him. He started grinning from ear to ear and winked at me. That’s when I decided what the heck I will go to the deep end and take my chances of drowning.

Still no word on my test but with all your prayers I just know the results will be fine. I went back to the workers comp doctor today and she would not release me until August 6th and that was only if it was desk duty and light duty and only four hours a day. Well there is no light duty in law enforcement and we work 12 hour shifts so I dropped the paper work off with my Captain he looked at it and shook his head. What that means I don’t know but we shall see. I seriously doubt they will consider letting that happen so I will continue to go stir crazy looking at the ceiling a while longer.

Loved the Blogazine story Karen did for all of us. Thanks Karen for taking the time to do it.

Also thank you all for all the lovely comments and encouraging words. I hope to catch up on all my blogging visits.

Love to all

Maggie

PS
Sorry did not realize this post was a chapter long! Will of course let you know my results as soon as I know them.

32 comments:

nanny said...

I don't know what to say...you have me laughing so hard....but it isn't funny....swimsuits are not kind (I know that from experience) I'm glad you made it through that ordeal....
Hope you are feeling better!

Anonymous said...

You are much braver than I sweet lady. If I had to climb into anything resembling a bathing suit to do water therapy I would have to not do that kind of therapy. No matter their ages had I walked out to a pool full of people when they got a glimpse of me they would have cleared the pool...well, maybe that would be a good thing, then I could have the pool to myself.

I enjoyed reading this so much and it is not too long. I am glad you found something to go in the pool in and that tall man did not try to take you home with him. :)

Keep getting better and better.

Hugs sweet Maggie!

Anonymous said...

No light duty?
Can't you fly a desk for a while?
You always make me laugh, you always look at the ridiculous side of things.
Maggie, you sound better,too.
YOU are the hottie in the therapy pool!
Hugs
Susan

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Dear Maggie:
Although I have a pool in the backyard, I don't wear a suit. I have them, but hate them. I feel like a stuffed sausage every time I have to wear one...you know, so I don't scare visiting grandkids, or offend our boys...little things like that. I loved reading your "suit search" adventure! I watch the Golden Girls most nights, and about half way through your third paragraph, I started thinking, "Maggie sounds like Rose Nyland today." lol
My prayers for you not only include healing, but also that you're job morphs into something a little safer for you when you return.
Thanks again for the giggle.
Love you,
Donna

Andrea said...

Okay...don't shoot me, but I am still hung up on the "tacking up" part....I can't resist..are you tacking up your swimsuit top or your boobs? LOL! Now, that you are ready to strangle me...know that age 44 I have the same issues..."big" issues when it comes to bathing suits. I just bought a new one....after trying on hundreds and I am NOT kidding! Someone needs to scream from the roof tops...."Real women who have given birth, nursed babies, had surgeries, etc. need bathing suits that cover them, yet look good!
Next time, go to Dillards and try bathing suits called "Miracle Suits"....they are the best I have found!
Hugs,
andrea

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Hey Maggie girl that was too funny, but I know how you felt about bathing suits in public! I haven't had one in about 15 years. This time next year though I am going to get me one and to hell with people going blind...:)not my problem!
I am anxiously awaiting any news you get from your tests, post 'em when you get 'em ok?
College Station sounds familiar to me, my brother just bought a house in Navasota and I think he said he will be working in a town called College Station.
Take care, rest up, and sit a spell...
Love ya
Tina xo

Sharon said...

You sure did give me a laugh for the day.
I agree with you I don't wait those bathing suits of today. I also use a big towel when I get a chance to go near the water.
Prayers for you and you continue to get better and I hope your test turn out well.

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

I feel for you about the bathing suit. It was that I could wear a bikini and look cute. Old age has taken that away. Old age and 3 kids. Very funny story! Loved every bit of it!

Bunnym said...

Being the queen of bathing suits I know how frustrating it can be to find one that covers and yet look mildly OK. I have perfected the art of walking backwards into the water...lol
Maggie..I just wanted to tell ya that I think about you all the time and I know that you'll come flying through this time with flying colors. How do I know this? Your sense of humor. It's how you cope. It's how I cope. Everything will be alright.

bunny

Lisalulu said...

yep, this story kept me busy for a while... but you totally are a great story teller, even if the story is true. Just look at how many peoples lives you have touched-- and that would be in a good/storytelling/entertaining way. Love you and am praying for you. No true-er words were ever spoken: You Go Girl

Taos Sunflower said...

OMG, Maggie, you have me about ready to, well, can't say here, but let's just I don't feel like changing clothes again this morning. Your story about the bathing suit hit home so hard. I settled on the giant one piece Wal Mart special with a pair of nylon man shorts over it. They are lime green, so it's easy to see where the green ends and the white with blue veins starts (also there is a drastic texture change, but I'll spare you that visual). Anyway, I'm proud of you for working it all out and getting to therapy. I've been at the YMCA two mornings a week for my grandson's swimming lessons, and I've seen those same old folks you're talking about in the pool doing therapy...it's what has given me the courage to wear Bermuda shorts in public this year, after probably 35 years of not even wearing them in the house...I needed to see how many people look worse than I do and don't freak out about it...life is too short, and I've decided I"m just old enough to go forth with pride and pretend I don't notice all the stuff from the neck down! Love you...Martie

Susan Anderson said...

I LOVE this post. You are just too funny, and it's remarkable in light of all you've gone through and are going through that your sense of humor is still so active.

When I'm as old as the people in your swim group, I want to be just like you (at that age, of course).

;)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I figured this was going to be a humdinger of a post {like that ~ humdinger is my word of the day today} as soon as I cracked up out loud over how sometimes you listen to Alan and sometimes you put the phone down and go do other things. I smile every time I think of that line now! : )

LuLu Kellogg said...

Maggie, you are so funny. I almost pp'd in my brits from laughing!

Water will really make you feel SO much better. When my joints hurt, I just get in the pool and futz around and then I feel like a million dollars when I get out!

Love you to pieces!
LuLu♥

Obee Designs said...

Hi Maggie,
Stopping by to say hello and see how you're feeling! I love the bathing suit story and the comment on being an extra in the movie Cocoon. So I immediately broke into a chuckle and started picturing you all wrapped up in the biggest towel you could find, only my vision included you in one of those lovely old fashioned rubber bathing caps too!!! HeHe Isn't it a funny thing about your perspective? I'm sure you're more of the Marilyn Monroe type anyway. Geeze, look at that hotty profile picture of you.....unless....Did you have Marilyn take that picture for you? Oh that's why your face is coyly looking down so we can't really tell if it is you or not!! It is really Marilyn!!! hehe.
I wanted to let you know you should come over and read my newest post I did, you may want to read it:)
I hope you will get some relief soon and that you'll be back to work, good as new ASAP. We need to hear some good Ms. Pearl stories. (I actually thought Ms pearl might have come out at the pool when Mr. Winker with the long legs was kicking you!!)LOL
Take it easy. I miss your visits, but I understand it's not so easy when you don't feel well.
Take it easy, girl!!
XoXo
Gail

Arkansas Patti said...

Totally lost it at the Cocoon image. You are truly a hoot lady:))
Swimming pool contractors would be smart to tuck their business cards in the bodices of all women's bathing suits on the hangers. Trying on bathing suits is when you realize your own privite pool is not an extravagance but a necessity.
Keep paddling Maggie, just dont' lose count.

Debby said...

I have been right there where you were. That was also my first thought when they said "pool therapy". I did get a bathing suit that I looked horrid in. I wore a long t-shirt that was cotton and about drowned me. The next time I took the big ole towel to the steps and got in so fast. Same getting out. But like you said I felt pretty good considering some that were in that pool. Some because of terrible injuries or surgeries and lots of them older and bigger. So in the end it didn't matter. I felt so much better after being in the pool. Sometimes like you said, I would feel worse for awhile. I am praying that those test results come soon and with good news. ((((HUGS))))

Unknown said...

You are very funny! I hope the tests give you good news. I love pools and water :)
So good for you :)
Have a wonderful day.
Hugs

Sybil said...

OH Maggie, what a laugh you have given me...just what I needed after the week I have had...I think you are just th emost wonderful woman. I am so so glad that we have met up.
Mary and I recently went on out first cruise and I can say without a shadow of a lie that there were many many folks women and men who should never have been seen dead in a swimsuit !!! WE sat open eyed when they got in the whirl pool certain that they would empty all the water in it !!! and we were ever so glad we sat with T shirts and bermuda shorts on !!! water and me don't mix !!
Love and God Bless Sybilxx

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

You sound so much better! The pool therapy must be good for your body and mind! Hang in there.....

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Maggie,
You are making me laugh so hard. There is no way in hell that I would put on a swimsuit, no way! I have been that way all my life always feeling so self conscious about my how I looked. And, that's when I looked good! LOL

Glad to see you are getting better.

hugs
Sissie

Shirley said...

I had a good laugh as I read your blog and comments today. I can picture the swim suit episode. I think all of us have problems as we get older with trying to find one. I never will forget my kids telling me that I had to get a one piece and not a bickni to wear in front of their friends. I told them it was our pool, but I was the adult so I tried to look the motherly part. I really enjoyed the post and I will keep you in my prayers that the test come back good. Would they just let you do desk duty for a while? It is so hard to be quiet when you are so use to working. Take care Your Missouri Friend.

Tara said...

I feel your pain. I don;t think I've had a suit on for over 10 years. I don't have one either. At least there are more options out there now. I am glad you found something you can be comfortable in.
I hope the pool therapy helps you and I pray your tests come back with good news. Have a good night my funny charmer!

NitWit1 said...

I sure hope this pool therapy gets better. But at least there is a little comedy there.

Maybe you could handle dispatch from home, like bedside.... best you do as Dr. orders.

yaya said...

I just got out of my pool..it's 10:30pm..only the lightning bugs and bats to scare! I laughed at the part about the white legs..reminded me of a time when my Mom was visiting and I was making breakfast and was still in my bathrobe. Mom asked if I had to work at the hospital that day. I told her no, why are you asking? She said, "how come you're wearing white pantyhose?"..Mom, those are my legs. The last bathing suit I bought I got a great deal on...I was soooo excited. It fit good and didn't look too bad. When I got home I read the tag and gagged. I had bought a maternity bathing suit.

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Maggie,

So glad that you found a swim suit that you were happy to wear. You had me laughing about the movie Cocoon and I remember seeing that.
I hope that the tests come back with good news and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Have a good weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

JaneT said...

You have given me a belly laugh just now and boy did I need that today. I know it was at your expense, but I have a fertile imagination and your words made a motion picture show in my head. I have laughed and had to quit reading several times to get the laughter tears out of my eyes with my nightie. My grandson who is only 22 just had his 2nd back surgery in three weeks and it has been something else around here. Like I said, you gave me some much needed laughter medicine. I hope you do better each day. I wish I lived next door to you. Prayers for your healing.

Jo said...

What a great story...! I wanted to go swimming at Kitsilano Pool today, but I was afraid the kids would see me and start singing, "Baby Beluga..."

I hope your tests come out okay. I know they will. You have lots of people who love you. :-)

((((hugs))))

Jo

Anonymous said...

Maggie, I have been doing a lot of water exercise classes since the beginning of June and the difference is unbelievable. First though I must tell you that NO ONE PAYS ATTENTION TO WHAT ANYONE LOOKS LIKE. Everyone really just has fun and gets some exercise.

When I'm in the water I feel like a kid again, and when the body is aching from overdoing my exercises, I simply go the next day and "float" around a bit. Even that helps stretch out the exercises.

You are truly my hero. You have been laid up for so long, yet you maintain a wonderful attitude. What an inspiration. I just wish you lived closer so that we could go "float" around in the pool together.

Kim said...

Oh dear Lord. Maggie you rock! I can't stop picturing you in the mens underwear. LOL But I think you should stop kidding yourself......You know you wanted that old guy in the pool!!!!! Bumped into him by accident....yeah right! HAHAHAHAHA

Diane at Crafty Passions said...

This post was a scream! I bought a bathing suit on the weekend too!
Recently having lost almost 25 pounds I am naturally very proud of myself and thinking I would take up aqua fit classes ,it would help even more so daughter and I went bathing suit hunting..... I found one, its just like the 1900 bathing suit you so desire, it has the little skirt etc... gotta hide those thighs yikes...no one wants to see all that and I don't want it all on display either...
But in that change room trying the damn thing on made me realize that I need to lose another 25 pounds... it sure motivated me !
You never ever realize how you actually look untill your in a small room with all mirrored walls.....its not a pretty picture.
Oh by the way I got the bathing suit at Pennington's.
Take care of yourself
Diane

Karen Whittal said...

Hi there my friend, sounds likes lots of fun, and it could have been worse you could have had to roll your boobs up into your costume top........ at least you still have cleavage....... keep laughing it is the best medicine, and God asks us to be thankful in all circumstances..... yes even in costumes.....