A Lost Pleasure Recovered
By 41Combedale
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
Greece
November 8, 2015 8:11am CST
For the last ten years or even longer I have chosen to take a shower rather than have a bath. It is faster, it takes less hot water and it seems more hygienic. However yesterday after a hard day picking olives and feeling a little stiff and cold I found myself longing for a bath.
Two hip operations and stiffness in my knees and back have meant that I have been unable to get into the bath anyway even if I had wanted to. Yesterday however, with encouragement from my husband and advice not to lock the door (in case I got stuck in the bath!) I decided to give it a go.
I made it, carefully easing myself down into the water, where I lay for rather a long time enjoying the forgotten pleasure of hot water on stiff muscles and cold legs.
Getting out took more effort but with the use of a small stool in the bath I got into a sitting position where I could stand up and then step out. The feeling of achievement was great and I felt warm and comforted. I thought I would never have a bath again. How lovely to prove myself wrong.
14 people like this
18 responses
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
9 Nov 15
We ought to make a list, or even a post, of things we should be determined to enjoy while we can.
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
12 Nov 15
@Susan2015 Dog barking is as disturbing to me now as my babies crying in the past. Except that it is easier to comfort a baby. I'm sure they bark for a reason but it is often impossible to see (or hear) what it is.
@boiboing (13147)
• Northampton, England
9 Nov 15
@41CombedaleRoad That's a very good idea. Go for it!
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Nov 15
HI@41CombedaleRoad I would love to have a tub bath but with a very bad foot and leg no way anyway we have just a shower stall with a bath chair Against my idea they now help me shower as I have lost my sense of balance but I have never fallen in the shower ever bu t its up to them as having my hair done for me and my back scrubbed feels like luxury. I realize a fall in the shower could be very bad One of my exs table mates fell and broke her pelvis. three years of surgeries and she has gone from wheel chair to a walker now. So I give in and let them help me.I hate to be that helpless as I pride myself on caring for me myself.
2 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
11 Nov 15
It is a wise choice in your circumstances especially in the shower when the floor can become quite slippery.
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
8 Nov 15
glad you enjoyed the bath. so for a few years, our shower wasn't working & i could ONLY take a bath. when i was a kid, our house only had a shower, no bath. It's nice to have an option! i mostly shower. i can't remember my last bath.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Nov 15
Have you tried some Ebson salts in the bath water for the aches and pains? Enjoy!
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
9 Nov 15
I will have to find out what the Greek word is for Epsom Salts. It is a great idea, thanks.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
8 Nov 15
There must have been a time you took this activity for granted. And now it was more than a luxury.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
12 Nov 15
@41CombedaleRoad I am happy that I went on all those foreign tours when I was younger. I cannot think of doing it now specially chasing flights if we do not arrive at the airport on time and such things that needed rushing around. I remember when we were in London we had to catch the four o'clock 'Euro Star' that was taking us to Brussels. We had to do it in minutes from wherever we were. We had to literally run with our luggage. Cannot dream of doing it now (lol)
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
11 Nov 15
Yes I did and I also took running up the stairs for granted.
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
12 Nov 15
@allknowing I can't do it either, just chasing the baggage reclaim is taxing for me these days. There was a time I was first off the plane, now I am happy to be at the end of the queue.
@epiffanie (11325)
• Australia
9 Nov 15
I love baths but I love spa even more.
I can imagine how anxious I would be to get in the bath if I have hip replacement like you had .. But glad that you did try because it bath is so relaxing .
I can imagine how anxious I would be to get in the bath if I have hip replacement like you had .. But glad that you did try because it bath is so relaxing .1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
11 Nov 15
Sometimes people get a bath seat and that helps quite a lot. I suppose they are available in NZ too. They came free with the NHS and were quite popular.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
8 Nov 15
bless yer heart! i'm so glad that'cha were able to prove yerself wrong 's sometimes we jest need a good soaker to let our thoughts wander 'n take the chills 'n aches outta our bodies. i've a garden tub with a built in 'seat' i use oft these days. i e'en confess to 'avin' one 'f those shower benches fer when times're tough 'n e'en a shower seems near impossible to do safely. 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
10 Nov 15
@crazyhorseladycx @41CombedaleRoad I would think a dab of lemon oil would repel the skeeters and enhance the garden experience. I have a soft side hot tub I need to make a base for and fill.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
9 Nov 15
Knowing a little of what you have to deal with makes me feel rather guilty about my concerns about taking a bath! I like the idea of a garden tub, but would you not be attacked my mosquitoes - perhaps you avoid the evenings. A shower bench is a new idea to me. Neither would work in England but now I'm here in Greece a tub in the garden is really appealing...
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
9 Nov 15
@41CombedaleRoad aw, don't feel guilty, hon! i can relate to not bein' able to do schtuff i used to take fer granted, 's yerself. we've all hills to climb, eh? i'm envisionin' ya sittin' in yer big ol' claw-footed tub soakin' yer troubles 'way whilst o'erlookin' the ocean...how peaceful 'n relaxin' that sounds!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Nov 15
I can't even remember the last time I took a bath! But as a man, I almost always take showers, but a former girlfriend always wanted me to take baths with her. I admit, it was nice!
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
12 Nov 15
There is a danger of falling asleep in the bath if you take one when you are very tired. It almost happened to me once but the water got cold and that disturbed me.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381759)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 15
@41CombedaleRoad My friend's elderly mother couldn't get out of the bath one night and was there all night. She kept topping up the hot water so she didn't get too cold. It would be a very long night I think.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
10 Nov 15
I plan to have safety bars put in my bathrooms. I do not want to give up a bath. Getting in is relatively easy, sit on the side and pivot your legs in, then slide down. Out is very scary but a soak with epsom salts makes it very worth while.
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
10 Nov 15
A safety bar is a good idea but I am afraid I chose the wrong sort of bath as this one has no handles.
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
9 Nov 15
Baths are really the best thing helps sooth the entire body.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69156)
• Centralia, Washington
16 Nov 15
Wonderful. I prefer a bath but since Mom has started living with us, we've given her the bathroom that has a tub in it so now its showers for me. I'm glad you were able to enjoy a hot soak.
