Meet me at the Mikvah?

bestofbarbara

Now I’m going for Aquatic Therapy. In November I experienced a bad fall and have sustained pain and fatigue, and have been sapped of my strength and vitality.This is not me. I recently underwent two knee replacements like a trooper. After all the diagnostic tests and treatments,  it’s been determined that I have Spinal Stenosis; a condition everyone endures to some degree, when aging. The Stenosis is caused by calcification in the spine which presses on the surrounding nerves. I’m being brief. However I won’t be offended by corrections from the medical professionals. It seems like there is no cure for this other than having an operation. Since the opinions that i get about back surgery are mixed, I decided to resort to an operation only as a last resort, when and if I can’t walk.

Since I love to swim, I decided to try Aqua Therapy. There aren’t many places…

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Meet me at the Mikvah?

Now I’m going for Aquatic Therapy. In November I experienced a bad fall and have sustained pain and fatigue, and have been sapped of my strength and vitality.This is not me. I recently underwent two knee replacements like a trooper. After all the diagnostic tests and treatments,  it’s been determined that I have Spinal Stenosis; a condition everyone endures to some degree, when aging. The Stenosis is caused by calcification in the spine which presses on the surrounding nerves. I’m being brief. However I won’t be offended by corrections from the medical professionals. It seems like there is no cure for this other than having an operation. Since the opinions that i get about back surgery are mixed, I decided to resort to an operation only as a last resort, when and if I can’t walk.

Since I love to swim, I decided to try Aqua Therapy. There aren’t many places in my area t with this program, but I did find a small private facility that offers both PT and Aquatic therapy The pool is 15′ by 10′, similar to a Mikvah, the ritual cleansing bath used by Orthodox Jewish people. It can accommodate two people, is equipped with parallel bars and even a whirlpool. Various flotation aids and weights are also available. The exercises are not strenuous, or unusual, but  because I am buoyant in the water I have a good workout in half an hour. Exercising will not cure the problem, but I am hopeful that with it,  I can strengthen my muscles, increase my mobility, and marginalize the symptoms of the Spinal Stenosis. Who knows, maybe I’ll even  lose a pound or two in the process!  If only the pool was large enough for a little swim after all that work.

I am not complaining. There is a bowl of Hershey kisses at the desk; a little reward for work well done and a little something to boost my energy.

Love you all!

bestofbarbara

Thank  you for your inspiration and encouragement. You are all wonderful! If my blogs are short, remember that I do not buy green bananas and we do not need another “War and Peace”. Thank you again.

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Love you all!

Thank  you for your inspiration and encouragement. You are all wonderful! If my blogs are short, remember that I do not buy green bananas and we do not need another “War and Peace”. Thank you again.

Singing Rainbows

“If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops,” a song that kept running through my  head, was sung by my 17 -year- old granddaughter when she was 3. I thought I would teach my 3 year old great grandson that song, but wouldn’t you know he’s way ahead of me. My daughter sent a video of him singing the song. I’ll ask him to teach it to  me  when I see him.

My First Blog Post!

This is my first blog post. I’m very excited about joining the blog community. I’m an 80 + mother of 4, grandmother of 9, and great-grandmother of 3. I’ve been married to my husband Martin for 59 years.   I look forward to chatting with you — don’t be shy!