Sink or Swim
 

Living in a hot climate, the pool has always been a huge factor in my life. When I was young, we belonged to a swimming pool. No, not a fancy club just a pool. There were no public pools way back then and certainly no pool that we kids could ride our bikes to and spend the whole day. The bummer was that the ride home made me hot again.

Then we moved and I had a pool in my backyard. I remember the warm days of March when I would put my feet in the pool, slowly ending up with wet edged shorts. All of us neighborhood kids swam in that pool from morning to night.

We have a small pool in our yard now. It was resurfaced last year but I did not go in. In fact, I have not been in a pool in the 4 years since my dx of PPMS.

I decided it would be great to exercise in the pool. I waited for the temperature outside to get hot enough and for the pool water to heat up to at least 85 degrees.

My mobility has changed and I needed help getting in. I thought my weight would feel free in the water. My legs felt funny because of the water retention in my feet. Weird.

With DH, I ventured into the "deep" end. It is a little over 5' deep. I thought my arm movement would keep me afloat.

I sank like a stone. :(

Okay, my wee skinny friend, what you need is some doughnuts and choccy chip cookies! Fat floats, you know. :D

*sending Aarcyn some water wings* :rolleyes:

I'm sure I could still float (especially my lower half:)) if I could only get down the outside stairs to our apt. complex's pool. :( I really miss the pool.

We made a good choice when we put in our pool. It's inground with easy steps to get in - even the old folks don't have a problem, and they can wear those beach shoes if they need extra grip.

It also has built in seats, so I don't have to float, can just sit and soak, read and have a drink.

I never could actually swim, but moving around in it is good. My next house will have a similar pool if I have to spend the cash to add it.

they make some skinny life vests now a days that fit most folks. They have air balloons that go around your waist to help hold you up, or you could get some arm floaties. They also have those long noodle things. like styrofoam but they can be bent to make a seat, or you can just drag one with you.

Swimming is great exercise, but as with all stuff, if you havent done it in a while, it may take some adjustment.

Body fat is a good thing when looking to float. Have a cookie! :hug:

The last time Jim was in a pool was about 7 years ago on vacation. He ventured out to the middle of the pool and his legs went limp and down he went. Thank goodness the boys and I were there to pull him out. It scared the daylights out of him.

Dej - Pool noodles... can you have more fun than that for under 2 bucks?

:cool:

I float all over hanging on one or two of those. The young uns like to joust with them, on the rafts.

Cyn, just keep your lungs full, chin lifted a bit, & try broad sculling and you should be fine without legs. If you can do long leg scissor thrusts, you can stay up with no hands as well.

Don't give up on the water! It's as close to feeling "normal" as I can ever get and it just wouldn't be the same without that too.

Well, poopy, Cyn. I know you will find a way, though, because that pool is calling you. It's calling me, but I'm way over here..:D

Get you some sexy floaty thingys and enjoy your pool.:hug:

I am not giving up. We plan to get the noodles, an inner tube, etc.

It was just a surprise that I could not stay afloat by using just my arms, even when sculling.

It was just a sadness. It was just a vent longing for the old me. I do not like the new (and becoming) me. This game of take-away.

With the heat, the water is inviting. Thanks, Cindy. I will not give up on water. :)