I went for my first hydrotherapy session today, I was really looking forward to it.
I arrived at the hospital and hour early, parking can be difficult, that's an understatement. I queued for over half an hour waiting to get in the car park, then well over half an hour trying to find a space, I went around and around but there just wasn't any free and if one came free someone got there before me. Eventually found one about as far away from the hydro unit as was possible. I had to walk further than I know I can, I took my walking stick thankfully. When I arrived 20 minutes late I was told I only had 20 minutes left to change and get in the pool. It was lovely, so warm and relaxing. I was asked to walk back wards and forwards across the pool 10 times each way and then do it side ways, followed by leg lifts and stretches then more walking. I left the pool, not feeling too bad, until I actually got out and then my body felt like it weighed a ton. I went back to the changing room feeling totally exhaused only to find the window had been opened so it was freezing cold in there. There was no where dry to get changed and I eventually left the place with wet tracky bottoms and wet feet. My bag now full of wet swimsuit, leggings, t'shirt and towel weighed a ton. I had to walk all the way back to the car park in the pouring rain, it was also blowing a gale and I had trouble walking against it. I slipped on a muddy patch and ended up on my knees and then I had to pay. £3.50 for the time I had been there, I was just thinking how expesive this was going to be, petrol and parking every week for six weeks. I put my ticket in the machine after queuing in this horrible weather, there was no shelter from it, but my ticket just kept coming out saying u readable. I let several people go ahead of me as they were getting frustrated. All theirs worked ok but not mine. I pressed the button for help but no one answered and everyone was getting annoyed at not being able to use the machine. I just stood there and cried. I was in so much pain and my bag was so heavy, I was freezing cold and could not see any other way out than to go back to my car. An old lady helped me as she had seen me crying and that made me worse, it should have been me helping her, I'm 58 she must have been more than ten years older. When I got to the barrier the ticket of course didnn't work and told me to park and pay. There was a queue behind me so how do I go back and park. I pressed the button for help 3 times before someone came on the line, I just cried please let me out, my ticket won't work and I cant walk. He lifted the barrier and I was free. I drove home crying all the way. Came indoors and cried again. An old lady had to help me, how bad do I feel. Now my fibro has flared up, I am hot and feel flu like symptoms coming on, also I ache from head to foot and my whole body has stiffened up. I have plantar fasciitis so all this walking has caused untold pain in my foot, and they think I am going back next week to do that all again.....I think not!
Hydrotherapy Pools
Hydrotherapy pool
For Clumsy-Mrs.Giraffe pic as promised.Just look who's dropped in to say hello...............
My new to me scooter 
