Well, it's three weeks today since my 2nd CCSVI procedure up in Tampa. The procedure itself went like clockwork and was a total success, clinically at least, but I have to admit I'm still pretty worn out. It's been a busy 3 weeks.
I've been on vacation for a week with a lot of car travel involved, I've been out to lunch a few times, to my new Sarasota neurologist, gone on a few shopping trips, up to St. Pete hospital for a followup dopplar (my blood flow is fantastic - by the way), gotten my son ready to go in for his ACT test for college tomorrow morning and then over for one of his best friends weddings afternoon on the other side of the state in the afternoon. There also been a tremendous amount of emotional upheavel with some "things" going on in my house. Won't get into the gory details, but as we know, emotions can run complete havoc on us MS patients and that in itself has left me feeling like a wet dish rag.
But, here's the great news! In between all the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks, I've had quite a few dips in our wonderful, refreshing pool. AHHH~ What a spectacular thing to jump into the pool to take away all your anxieties on any given day. Get our of the debilitating heat and take a break and float. It truly is a glorious feeling of complete relaxation, and helps all of my MS symptoms seem to fade away, at least for a while.Your legs feel so good when you're swimming, they feel so light, you don't want to ever get out, at least I don't. I feel like my old NON-MS person in a pool, kinda like I never had the stinking disease to begin with. My head feels better, my legs work better, I can move around like a dolphin out there or should I say I'm more like a whale, but whatever it is, it feels sensational!
As I've been going in the pool so much of late, I starting thinking of what it would take to spend your days in the pool - what it would take to live your life in the water most of the day? Think about it?
Of course, I'd have to have a waterproof laptop so my CCSVI and Facebook friends wouldn't miss me. I'd need to have new screen put on our pool cage that would reflect the sunlight, just like film on windows reflects the light of them and reduces the heat in your house. You'd need screen to let the air continue to flow, but you couldn't stand the Florida sun full time, so someone would have to come up with reflective screen, that is a must. I'd be ok, because our pool doesn't have chlorine, we have an ionization system that keeps the pool clean. That would be a big help.
I guess I could use the cell phone, cause a regular land line wouldn't work and I'd need to be in touch with my peeps. Of course, I'd need a TV on my pool deck, which wouldn't be a problem because we installed electrical outlets on the deck, fans are already installed and a tiny frig or a complete outdoor kitchen would be the best thing, now that I think about it.
Then I would need those floating chairs, cause I'd have to float and do my Facebook thing, and naturally I'd need floating chairs for any and all friends wanting to visit me. Mass quantities of sunscreen, cause I burn easily. Lots of pina colada's and margarita's would make it so much nicer, or strawberry daquiries would do too! I would have to have a bottled water tank, because I drink lots of water constantly, my water goes whenever I am.
I would need music, but we already have a BOSE radio on the deck, so that would do just fine. Something for entertainment, diving sticks or noodles, pool balls or something else, like a pool basketball hoop like we used to have when the kids were little would be great! whem....how could I play scrabble in the pool, I 'd have to think about that one. White Christmas lights around the pool deck would be nice for the evenings, and would be a nice touch for those romantic skinny dipping evenings with the Hubs.
Oh, eating, what would I do about that? Well, we all know I've always found a way to find food, so that really wouldn't be an issue :) I know I would get food out there, Steve with his tremendous cooking talents, could fire up our outdoor kitchen and cook up some wonderful meals. I can see us now, floating along, eating nachos loaded or roast pork and green beans with mashed cauliflower, with those pool glasses for wine or beer. This sounding better all the time~
Yes, I could really pull this thing together if I wanted to, I've convinced myself. UH OH... I forgot one big thing.
His name is BUCK. And Big Buck, would be the biggest problem I would have pulling off this "life in a pool" fantasy thing of mine. He's our 90 lb. 3 year old German Shepard granddog. He goes nuts when he sees me put on my swimsuit, or if anyone in the house takes off their socks or any piece of clothing, he knows the pool is next and won't let us alone until we complete the task. He cries, he runs around in circles barking his head off. He jumps on you, he is so excited you can't control him. He goes NUTS for the pool.
He is without a doubt a dog with a mission. He doesn't like to actually swim cause he's scared to jump off the ledge, but he loves to run around the pool, bark and lick the deck and dig on the concrete (in the summer he has no nails on his front paws)-- like he's trying to dig under the pool to get to you. And naturally, he wants you to get him completely wet by splashing him over and over again.
There he goes again, beginning to lick the deck - that crazy dog!
Buck and Grandpa Steve - Spring 2011 What a handsome guys I have!
On second thought, maybe pool life should just be my three swims a day and leave it at that. Buck will be disappointed, but life is full of not getting your way - Sorry Buck - deal with it.
I am struggling along after my second CCSVI procedure, but I know I will heal slowly, in God's perfect time, and after all, it's only been 3 weeks! I am content on waiting on the Lord. And it is brutally hot down here in the flat lands and I've always been tremendously heat intolerant, although I am a bit better after the CCSVI procedures, believe it or not. Don't worry friends, I'm hanging in there, meanwhile, I thank the Lord that I do have a pool and it gives me the tremendous relief that I need in the Florida summer heat! Try to stay cool, wherever you are and please live with a contented and thankful heart :)
My verse for today is about contentment from Phillippians 4:10-13
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you have had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned that the secret of being content in any and all situations, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
My prayer for today:
Thank you Jesus for my life and Thank you Jesus for my pool! Please continue to heal me from my surgery Lord in your perfect time and help me to continue to be content, whatever the circumstances.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen
I've been on vacation for a week with a lot of car travel involved, I've been out to lunch a few times, to my new Sarasota neurologist, gone on a few shopping trips, up to St. Pete hospital for a followup dopplar (my blood flow is fantastic - by the way), gotten my son ready to go in for his ACT test for college tomorrow morning and then over for one of his best friends weddings afternoon on the other side of the state in the afternoon. There also been a tremendous amount of emotional upheavel with some "things" going on in my house. Won't get into the gory details, but as we know, emotions can run complete havoc on us MS patients and that in itself has left me feeling like a wet dish rag.
But, here's the great news! In between all the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks, I've had quite a few dips in our wonderful, refreshing pool. AHHH~ What a spectacular thing to jump into the pool to take away all your anxieties on any given day. Get our of the debilitating heat and take a break and float. It truly is a glorious feeling of complete relaxation, and helps all of my MS symptoms seem to fade away, at least for a while.Your legs feel so good when you're swimming, they feel so light, you don't want to ever get out, at least I don't. I feel like my old NON-MS person in a pool, kinda like I never had the stinking disease to begin with. My head feels better, my legs work better, I can move around like a dolphin out there or should I say I'm more like a whale, but whatever it is, it feels sensational!
As I've been going in the pool so much of late, I starting thinking of what it would take to spend your days in the pool - what it would take to live your life in the water most of the day? Think about it?
Of course, I'd have to have a waterproof laptop so my CCSVI and Facebook friends wouldn't miss me. I'd need to have new screen put on our pool cage that would reflect the sunlight, just like film on windows reflects the light of them and reduces the heat in your house. You'd need screen to let the air continue to flow, but you couldn't stand the Florida sun full time, so someone would have to come up with reflective screen, that is a must. I'd be ok, because our pool doesn't have chlorine, we have an ionization system that keeps the pool clean. That would be a big help.
I guess I could use the cell phone, cause a regular land line wouldn't work and I'd need to be in touch with my peeps. Of course, I'd need a TV on my pool deck, which wouldn't be a problem because we installed electrical outlets on the deck, fans are already installed and a tiny frig or a complete outdoor kitchen would be the best thing, now that I think about it.
Then I would need those floating chairs, cause I'd have to float and do my Facebook thing, and naturally I'd need floating chairs for any and all friends wanting to visit me. Mass quantities of sunscreen, cause I burn easily. Lots of pina colada's and margarita's would make it so much nicer, or strawberry daquiries would do too! I would have to have a bottled water tank, because I drink lots of water constantly, my water goes whenever I am.
I would need music, but we already have a BOSE radio on the deck, so that would do just fine. Something for entertainment, diving sticks or noodles, pool balls or something else, like a pool basketball hoop like we used to have when the kids were little would be great! whem....how could I play scrabble in the pool, I 'd have to think about that one. White Christmas lights around the pool deck would be nice for the evenings, and would be a nice touch for those romantic skinny dipping evenings with the Hubs.
Oh, eating, what would I do about that? Well, we all know I've always found a way to find food, so that really wouldn't be an issue :) I know I would get food out there, Steve with his tremendous cooking talents, could fire up our outdoor kitchen and cook up some wonderful meals. I can see us now, floating along, eating nachos loaded or roast pork and green beans with mashed cauliflower, with those pool glasses for wine or beer. This sounding better all the time~
Yes, I could really pull this thing together if I wanted to, I've convinced myself. UH OH... I forgot one big thing.
His name is BUCK. And Big Buck, would be the biggest problem I would have pulling off this "life in a pool" fantasy thing of mine. He's our 90 lb. 3 year old German Shepard granddog. He goes nuts when he sees me put on my swimsuit, or if anyone in the house takes off their socks or any piece of clothing, he knows the pool is next and won't let us alone until we complete the task. He cries, he runs around in circles barking his head off. He jumps on you, he is so excited you can't control him. He goes NUTS for the pool.
He is without a doubt a dog with a mission. He doesn't like to actually swim cause he's scared to jump off the ledge, but he loves to run around the pool, bark and lick the deck and dig on the concrete (in the summer he has no nails on his front paws)-- like he's trying to dig under the pool to get to you. And naturally, he wants you to get him completely wet by splashing him over and over again.
On second thought, maybe pool life should just be my three swims a day and leave it at that. Buck will be disappointed, but life is full of not getting your way - Sorry Buck - deal with it.
I am struggling along after my second CCSVI procedure, but I know I will heal slowly, in God's perfect time, and after all, it's only been 3 weeks! I am content on waiting on the Lord. And it is brutally hot down here in the flat lands and I've always been tremendously heat intolerant, although I am a bit better after the CCSVI procedures, believe it or not. Don't worry friends, I'm hanging in there, meanwhile, I thank the Lord that I do have a pool and it gives me the tremendous relief that I need in the Florida summer heat! Try to stay cool, wherever you are and please live with a contented and thankful heart :)
My verse for today is about contentment from Phillippians 4:10-13
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you have had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned that the secret of being content in any and all situations, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
My prayer for today:
Thank you Jesus for my life and Thank you Jesus for my pool! Please continue to heal me from my surgery Lord in your perfect time and help me to continue to be content, whatever the circumstances.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen
