Today was the day! I started water therapy. I was both excited and scared. I had no idea what to expect. I woke up in pain today which means it’ll be a high pain day all day most likely. I had nothing to wear because my groin and hip area are hyper sensitive and they don’t like anything touching it or rubbing it causing friction. I borrowed a pair of Chris’ board shorts and cinched them as tight as a could and wore a bikini top. I hope by next week I can bear to have my running shorts with the liner on instead. Because my thigh is still numb in a lot of places, I had to ask my water therapist if my pants were still on! I’d hate to have that first impression on the first day, so thankfully they were still on!

Today was the first day, so they went easy on me. I hobbled into the water from the stairs and used the hand rails to get in. With the help of my water therapist and while also holding onto the wall, I “walked” to the deep end. Then I floated on three noodles to do some leg movements, such as little flutter kicks and bicycle kicks. We even did some upper body exercises. I haven’t done that in nine months! All the arm exercises were under water, which meant my arms never went above my head. Yay because I’m still not allowed to raise them other than for ADLs (activities of daily living).

I was instructed that I might have more pain today and to ice as much as possible. I have been resting and icing all day. My pain has been tolerable, but I am exhausted. I know I have lost so much muscle and strength, but now I am seeing it and feeling it. Now I am truly believing it. I’m trying not to get depressed on what I no longer have, but to think of how far I’ve come and what I have to look forward to. It’s going to be a long, hard road and I know it’s just beginning, but the thought of living a possibly pain free life some day is what keeps me going.