Today was the day I have been talking about since before my transplant. The day i couldn't wait to come. The day that would show me the miracle that is transplant. I went for a real swim. I was joined by my wonderful friend Isa. I was so thankful that she could join me as i got to describe how each stroke felt, and how amazing it was to be in the water again. I think also having a friend helps you push yourself more as well.
I got in the water for the first time and it was WARM! thank goodness. I am a bit chicken when it comes to temperature. My first underwater breath was surreal. It was so easy. I was amazed how my body just remembered how to be in the water. I have not tried swimming laps for years, and i had not even been in a pool for about 2 years, since i was on Oxygen. So needless to say this was a long awaited moment. I had been talking about it with Steve, my transplant buddy all through rehab. We fantasized about swimming on the same relay team in the transplant Olympics, so there was a lot of buildup to this moment.
I tried all the strokes. Freestyle, was as easy as i remember. Breaststroke, i still suck at. Backstroke was relaxing, and FLY i remembered how. The most amazing thing was that i used to count breaths between strokes, and i could only go for 3 strokes in freestyle, and i noticed i was continuing past 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... I gotta remember i need more air! I just had so much in my lungs, and it all came out! Then when i did butterfly i wasn't try to desperately take a breath every stroke. My entire strategy is going to change, as i develop my stroke with my new breath. I felt invigorated by the swim. It was so great to be out of breath and take big deep breaths in my new lungs. I knew when i was up around 30 laps that i needed to stop swimming as i didn't want to hurt myself by doing too much too fast. It was so great to feel that i needed to stop myself, instead of being so exhausted that i had to drag myself out of the pool.
I just had to share with all of you out there about this day. It was momentous. I am so glad that i got to share it with such a close friend. I am up for any others who want to come swim with me!!!
I must say that now i have the confidence i need to be able to jump in the ocean to learn how to surf on Saturday at the CF surf day, courtesy of Mauli Ola foundation.
