Ducking Under

The Sentinel

After meningitis and pussing lesions on my head, shoulder, hip, back, knees, and ankles, the neurosurgeons in California and Buenos Aires were adamant that I not submerge my scars in water.  They were all concerned that the wounds might not be totally healed and a little microbe could find its way into my brain or limbs and give me another round of who knows what infection.  Oceans, pools, baths, and hot tubs were all off limits.  I was only allowed to shower - gently and quickly.

As one who loves to swim, it wasn't my favorite order, but I was happy that I was at least allowed to shower.  Cold sponge baths by strangers in the middle of the night were not high on my list of fun hospital adventures.

Hundreds of penguins - protected on the
Punta Tombo preserve.

I kept out of the water as long as possible and as long as seemed necessary.  I watched my kids dive and swim and enjoy the ocean nearly every day while I wadded in the water up to my ankles.  I even avoided pools. Finally, I gave in after more than three month.  On a hot, lovely day, with waves and penguins swimming next to the shore calling my name, I could no longer resit.  My first dunk under the water was liberating, chic and a little taste of heaven.

Penguins on the boardwalk.

The water in Puerto Madryn is cold.  So cold that for the last few weeks small groups of penguins have been swimming near the shore, and every so often, we get to swim with them.  And yes, I am the girl that got hypothermia swimming across Lake Sammamish in Seattle a few years ago, and now I am swimming with penguins, albeit for a very short time - within fifteen minutes I retreat to the hot sand to warm up.

Punta Tombo - penguin paradise!

I savor every moment, even though I can only swim with one arm - I rock the side stroke, but that is it.  Everything else is a one-armed mess.  The kids joke that I can only swim in circles, like I am a row boat with one paddle.  Whatever!!  I feel like all is right with the world.  My scars are sore and itchy, oh so itchy, but they haven't leaked a drop in months.  Quite frankly, they better be healed, because I do not want to test the hospital skills in Puerto Madryn!

The weather is quickly changing to fall and the beaches are emptying.  I will get in as many swims as I can, and then I will look forward to summer in Seattle where I can enjoy more brain surgery, scars and orders to avoid the water all over again.  Ha!  Oh yeah!  Life is good!