Well as fate would have it, the first day I was due to get POOL therapy, they called to say the entire building is flooded. Somebody left the water running in the pool the nite before. Makes me wonder if I'm suppose to get water therapy which I had requested.

A week passed for them cleaning up, pulling up carpet, base boards, sheetrock pieces everywhere, records and papers drying out that was on the floor. Big fans going to help dry the place up. Mind you the pool is located in the very back room, about 75 yards from the front door of the building. With the water running all night and not being discovered until they came to work 8 am the next day makes for a big mess.

I go two days a week, one regular therapy, one in the pool, so yesterday (thur) was my first day for pool. With all that I have a make-up day coming. My regular therapist had death in the family. so he is gone for a couple weeks probably.

Now I got two ladies, one in training from a local college, both extremely careful of how I am doing in safety. They wanted to put a gait belt on me in the pool. I stated my balance was very good no problems. One gets in pool, one keeps time for each exercise and time in water. Their rules are 1st time in 30 min max. My next time in I can go alone but I have to keep hold to a rope provided for safety purposes.

The pool experience was great, the weight thing can really be felt. My weak leg kept wanting to float making me feel like I could swim with one arm and leg. They didn't go for that idea from me. Over all it was something different and to look forward to again. I hope he's back by next week. I took my shower, rinse the chorine off, put my clothes on (they right outside the door) did a few leg raises to prove my balance to them.

Now I do wish I had been brave enough to insist on pool while I was in hospital rehab. On the other hand I was wheelchair dependant at that time. Oh well better late than never. If this all workout for my leg (PT) I will ask my PCP for a few visits for OT to see if my arm, shoulder, and hand will benefit more. My fine motor skills in the hand like touching my thumb to the other fingers are not there. Other wise I have no complaints to speak of at 18 months post stroke.

After all I do have brain loss and accept some disabilities with grace. I could have passed but now I'm a survivor. That's a big and great accomplishment in itself.

Again thats why I celebrate life. I hope time is on my side. As we all know it takes time, plenty of it, so we ask God to bless us and keep us. Pool therapy I recommend. Its great for the mind and before stroke thoughts of how and what you could do then. It relieves any stress you may have and don't realize and instill confidence in yourself to a higher level.

LETS ALL CELEBRATE LIFE TOGETHER EVERYDAY!