I hiked in a cave today. For an hour. And then I swam in it. And then I walked 2 miles wearing a wetsuit and the heaviest life jacket ever. And then I walked another mile.

YESSSS!!!

This was not any old flat cave. This was a very uneven cave floor in a very dark cave, with some of it under Water and the rest above and I hiked through it for an hour.

I haven't shared this before but two years ago, I ended up in a wheelchair due to a very incompetent doctor. I was in it and bed-ridden for three months and it took me 3 months to learn how to walk again, by which time I had significant damage to the cartilage in my knees. For all of last year, I wasn't able to do stairs at all, and was reduced to using handicapped elevators if there were a ton of stairs. I couldn't sit on the floor comfortably and couldn't fold my legs in half and it took me months before I could climb in and out of a bath tub.

But today, I did all that. I hiked up and down some very rough terrain, I fell, I scraped my knee, I used a big stick to balance myself. I stepped sideways, forward, back, up, and down big ledges. I had to fold myself in half as I walked, and I had to fold my knees in half. And I enjoyed every freaking minute of it.

I was probably the least well-balanced person of our group. As I said, I had to learn how to walk again, and I don't think I'm as well-balanced as I used to be. I can no longer stand on one foot for any length of time. My husband made me take a walking stick and took me to keep me company (because on my own I'm too damn macho to admit I need help).

I was so worried about today. I was sure I would peter out before everyone. I was worried I wasn't a strong enough swimmer. i was concerned I"d hold everyone up. Well, everyone else there was much younger than us, but I'm happy to see we did not bring up the rear.

Yes I struggled, but I finished it. I love my sleeve, and I love the October Challenge on this forum that got me to the point I could do this today.

And btw, my husband is freaking stud muffin. The very-fit instructor dropped his flashlight under water. He tried to dive for it, couldn't get it. The younger guys are standing around half-heartedly offering to go get it. My 60-year old man says, here, I'll do it. Off comes his helmet and his life jacket, he dives down and gets it with no fuss.

I almost jumped his bones right there

I also now know beyond a shadow of a doubt what I want in my life. If it's a choice between being skinny and lying by the pool looking gorgeous vs. hiking in a dark, dusty cave, I'm choosing hiking.

VERY LONG post! Thank you for reading. I'm just very excited about all of it

That is AWESOME!!!! I'm still waiting for my psych eval appointment on Friday and am new to this whole process and you really gave me something to look forward to. Not that I'd hike a cave, I'd probably be too freaked out for that...but something equally bad-ass. Congrats!!!

Awesome NSV. Congratulations. I can relate to the wheelchair part. I broke my ankle 2 1/2 years ago and I was in a wheelchair for 3 months. Although I'm not glad I broke my ankle, I can say the being in a wheelchair gave me an appreciation for so many things. As part of my wheelchair experience, I flew to Las Vegas with some friends (we had booked the trip about a month before I broke my ankle). I know it will sound really strange, but I'm glad that I had the chance to experience being in a wheelchair. And unlike you, I did not have any lingering complications after I healed and had physical therapy.

I'm glad to hear about your cave experience. I guess that it didn't have any really tight spots. I've been in "Mark Twain's Cave" in Missouri, which is big, but I don't think I would like going into a small cave.

Edited October 23, 201312 yr by ItsMe2033

Awesome NSV. Congratulations. I can relate to the wheelchair part. I broke my ankle 2 1/2 years ago and I was in a wheelchair for 3 months. Although I'm not glad I broke my ankle, I can say the being in a wheelchair gave me an appreciation for so many things. As part of my wheelchair experience, I flew to Las Vegas with some friends (we had booked the trip about a month before I broke my ankle). I know it will sound really strange, but I'm glad that I had the chance to experience being in a wheelchair. And unlike you, I did not have any lingering complications after I healed and had physical therapy.

I'm glad to hear about your cave experience. I guess that it didn't have any really tight spots. I've been in "Mark Twain's Cave" in Missouri, which is big, but I don't think I would like going into a small cave.

I know exactly what you mean. I had to meet new people and conduct business meetings in my wheelchair. I was mortified. My husband took me shopping in it and people stared. Then as I got better, I used a walker. Yes a walker--the thing your 90-year old grandmother uses. I "graduated" from that to a cane as I got better. And I had to force myself to go out in public. But now I know what others go through. For me, there was an end in sight. For some others, there is no end, that's their life. Even then, I realized I was blessed.

I also knew how difficult it would be to be old, and fat. I realized unless something changed, that could be my life in a few decades. And I was not going to settle for that.

That's what it's all about....living life, doing the things you've always wanted to do. Way better than any number on the stupid scale right? Nice job. Proud of you for finding your sunshine.

This made me smile!

This is so AWESOME!!!!! I have sometimes had to use a cane on really bad knee days, so even though I have never had to be a wheelchair, I can relate somewhat. I'm so happy for you...what an amazing day!!! Hooray!!!

How utterly amazing!!! OMG I am so proud and it isn't even me!!! What a way to live!! That's why we had the surgery...to be able to experience things we wouldn't have before!!! WAY TO GO!!

I hiked in a cave today. For an hour. And then I swam in it. And then I walked 2 miles wearing a wetsuit and the heaviest life jacket ever. And then I walked another mile. YESSSS!!! This was not any old flat cave. This was a very uneven cave floor in a very dark cave' date=' with some of it under water and the rest above and I hiked through it for an hour. I haven't shared this before but two years ago, I ended up in a wheelchair due to a very incompetent doctor. I was in it and bed-ridden for three months and it took me 3 months to learn how to walk again, by which time I had significant damage to the cartilage in my knees. For all of last year, I wasn't able to do stairs at all, and was reduced to using handicapped elevators if there were a ton of stairs. I couldn't sit on the floor comfortably and couldn't fold my legs in half and it took me months before I could climb in and out of a bath tub. But today, I did all that. I hiked up and down some very rough terrain, I fell, I scraped my knee, I used a big stick to balance myself. I stepped sideways, forward, back, up, and down big ledges. I had to fold myself in half as I walked, and I had to fold my knees in half. And I enjoyed every freaking minute of it. I was probably the least well-balanced person of our group. As I said, I had to learn how to walk again, and I don't think I'm as well-balanced as I used to be. I can no longer stand on one foot for any length of time. My husband made me take a walking stick and took me to keep me company (because on my own I'm too damn macho to admit I need help). I was so worried about today. I was sure I would peter out before everyone. I was worried I wasn't a strong enough swimmer. i was concerned I"d hold everyone up. Well, everyone else there was much younger than us, but I'm happy to see we did not bring up the rear. Yes I struggled, but I finished it. I love my sleeve, and I love the October Challenge on this forum that got me to the point I could do this today. And btw, my husband is freaking stud muffin. The very-fit instructor dropped his flashlight under water. He tried to dive for it, couldn't get it. The younger guys are standing around half-heartedly offering to go get it. My 60-year old man says, here, I'll do it. Off comes his helmet and his life jacket, he dives down and gets it with no fuss. I almost jumped his bones right there <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I also now know beyond a shadow of a doubt what I want in my life. If it's a choice between being skinny and lying by the pool looking gorgeous vs. hiking in a dark, dusty cave, I'm choosing hiking. VERY LONG post! Thank you for reading. I'm just very excited about all of it <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Way to go Game girl alright

What a great test image to perseverance and determination!

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So proud of you Gamergirl! You are awesome!

Awesome post!!!! I remember experiencing that type of pure joy and accomplishment after doing something that I was unable to do before. That feeling has not gone completely away- I experience that type of high/rush when I do something new or extremely physical. It is one of the best feelings ever. I'm so happy that u had that neat experience. start keeping a tally because there's more of that to come!! Yay living and enjoying life.

What a great test image to perseverance and determination! Sent from my iPad using VST

*testament*

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First off, congratulations! Second, I am so envious. I love to cave and have done it a few times. Sounds like you had a blast.

Congrats! Awesome NSV!

I must say I've never been "caving?" before, but SWIMMING through a cave?! That sounds fantastic. (I <3 swimming) Your victory gave me a new goal Congrats again.

Thank you all for sharing in my excitement. I'm still high from it interestingly although my knees are protesting today, none of my muscles hurt which makes me feel good about myself.

I have started to wonder now if I want to zipline. Before that though, I think I will learn to paddle board standing up.

Does anyone know how difficult that is? I've never done it but it has always looked like so much fun.