My absolute favourite physical activity is swimming. I used to swim competitively in elementary and high school. There was always something magical about gliding through the water, much like a fish.
But when I first developed chronic pain, swimming became a huge struggle for me. The cold of the water and the chlorinity bothered by leg and hugely exacerbated my pain levels. I would be able to spend a few minutes in the pool, then end up on the pool deck crying in pain.
So I quit swimming for awhile.
But I found that I really, really, really missed swimming. It was like a huge part of me was missing. So I began acclimatization training. I went to my aunt and uncle’s pool two or three times a week and gradually build up my tolerance. And trying some stronger pain meds helped too.
By the end of that summer, I was ready to try swimming in an indoor pool. Our local YMCA was perfect as it was warmer than other pools nearby and super quiet as there were fewer swimmers in the water. It took many, many months, but I went from spending 10 minutes in the water total with several breaks in between, to now being able to spend 45 minutes in the pool without taking a break. I started by swimming partial laps and now can swim over a kilometer.
Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. I get on a good track, making regular progress, then bam! A flareup hits and I’m restarting at a third of what I could do. Because of my particular pain and functional conditions, it can sometimes take me a year or more to rebuild to where I was. Its incredibly, incredibly frustrating.
But, when I step back and look at the big picture, I can celebrate my accomplishments. I have come such a long way from not being able to tolerate being in the pool at all. And while I have faced many lengthy flareups, I have been able to overcome these. One small step at a time. They do add up eventually.
Swimming is both amazing exercise and works really well for my body. I really struggle to walk, but I can swim. Not as fast as I could before, but maybe some day. And its incredibly freeing as I feel normal in the water. I can leave my crutches or wheelchair on the deck and just swim. The buoyancy of the water lifts me up and my muscles for whatever reason (probably good muscle memory) do their magic and I can swim. Its so fun and I absolutely love it.
Hi, I’m Emily Summerhayes, I’m thrilled to be a guest here! When I’m not crafting, sewing, or drawing, you are most likely to find me in the garden ripping out weeds. Or playing with my miniature goats Cinnamon and Sesame or cuddling my cats Thomas and Cleo and dog Diesel. I have CRPS, FND, and POTS, but still love to create, swim, volunteer with 4-H, and be outside.
Living With Chronic Illness 