Saturday, August 2, 2014

Another Body Part?

What is it with me and weird problems? First it was the swollen lip a couple days back. Now this morning I wake up with this.
Can't wait to see what pops up next. 

Friday, August 1, 2014

I Don't Care

It used to be that I cared about how I looked in a swimsuit. While I loved swimming, if there were more than a couple people in the pool or even the pool area I'd stay away. Years and years of hubby checking out the pool area to see if it was clear. Years and years of missed opportunities because of my fear.

Even after all these years, and even here in Hawaii I was only swimming when the pool was relatively empty. Then I'd head back to the room so I could limit the number of folks who would see me. After watching people of all shapes and sizes swimming and sunning and having fun, I wanted to lose my inhibition. 

So as of a few days ago I don't care what I look like my swimsuit. Loud and proud. (Actually, more like quiet and proud.) I'm in the pool, then to the lounger, in the pool, to the lounger, in the pool...and so it goes everyday. No more sneaking off to the room!

It's not like I can hide here, either. Lots of comments from folks on my fresh scar. Confident and comfortable with my own body - what a concept!



Thursday, July 31, 2014

5 Miles with Lip Injections

No, I didn't have lip injections but it sure looks like I did. When I woke up this morning I had a swollen lip, swollen enough it made me slur my words. Imagine the joy others got in the fitness room this morning with me trying to drink during the workout, only to have the water look like drool dripping onto my shirt.

The fitness room is where the 5 miles come in.

4 miles on the bike.

1 mile on the treadmill.

Then swimming at the pool. While swimming usually makes everything better, I'm not so sure it'll work magic on my pouty bottom lip. Geez, that's an ugly lip!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

That's How I Roll

After a week in Hawaii my knee is stronger, my weight has decreased, and my skin is browner. Did I say my knee is stronger? Yeah, that's a biggie.

I go longer and faster on the treadmill. Swimming is easier. (The knee still hurts quite a bit, but it's getting better.) This trip - walking and swimming and relaxing with no where in particular to go and nothing in particular to do (except my single knee focus) - has been the best thing for me and my knee recovery.

Who could have guessed that this trip, a spur of the moment trip, would have turned out so well? Talked about it on a Sunday and we were on a flight to Kona on Wednesday. How do I know this has been a great trip? We just did something spur of the moment, just 5 short hours before our flight home.

We extended our stay.

That's how those who suck the marrow roll!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

I'm Retiring

Wouldn't it be great to say, "I'm retiring and moving to Hawaii?"

But that's not what I'm doing. Actually, I'm more like trying to retire. Not me myself, but my scooter and cane.

Scooter has been with me over a year now making sure I get where I need to go without running out of air or falling because of a busted up knee. She's taken me on trains and planes and ships. She's been my trusty companion and she's been rewarded with a generous helping of stickers, both travel related and inspirational. She even got herself some new stickers here in Hawaii. But on this trip, other than the airports, I only hung out with her on the rides down to the grocery store. Otherwise she's been parked in the room.

And then there's the cane. It tagged along through my knee replacement a few years back and then started up with me again before this knee replacement. I used the cane the first couple days here but she's also been spending most of her time in the room. (Keeping Scooter company I guess.)

They are both on the edge of retirement.

I came cross a quote yesterday that read:
Deal with each challenge and become stronger. Work through every challenge and feel the confidence that comes from knowing you can do it.

While I'm not yet strong enough to do those things on this trip I wanted to do - no snorkeling, no swimming with dolphins, no stand-up paddle boarding - I am ever-so-grateful for both the mental and physical strength that builds every day. For someone like me - rheumatoid arthritis, limited mobility, paralyzed diaphragm, two knee replacements, two shoulders repaired, gastric sleeve - to get a second chance?

Life changing.