Hawaii - Day 10

Day #10 is the day Hurricane Felicia was originally expected to hit Maui.  It's all we've heard about for the last week over here.

Felicia has now been downgraded to a tropical storm by some man in the national weather service.  I know it was a man who downgraded her.  A woman would never do that.

We women hate to be downgraded.  Men are always doing that type of shit.  First we're important and all they can think and talk about.  In no time at all we go from being a force of nature to just another chick moving through their lives.

It's so typical.

Sigh.

I woke up on Day #10 after almost no sleep the prior night.  I, clearly, did something I shouldn't have to my bum arm while on the sea doos on Day #9.  My pain level through the night was at an intensity I haven't felt in a long time.  Sleep was impossible.

I have pain pills with me here, but I refused to take them on principle.  I'm stubborn like that.

I looked out our master balcony on the morning of Day # 10 at a gray, very rainy, morning.

"Felicia has arrived," I informed Briefcase.

We started some coffee and settled in for a non-beach day.

An hour later I realized I was wrong.  The rain was gone.  It wasn't Felicia arriving at all.  She had slowed down somewhere out in the Pacific.  It was just a tropical rainstorm and, except for a few extra clouds in the sky, it was gone.

Day #10 turned out to be a beautiful day at the beach.  

I was so excited because I wanted to swim a lot.  Unfortunately, the pain in my arm got progressively worse as the day went on.  I couldn't move it at all, even in the water, without gritting my teeth and grimacing from the pain.  It's one of the few times when I've actually wished I could see my doctor and get one of his terrible (but pain relieving) injections into my shoulder joint.

OK, so I couldn't really swim with my arm in such bad shape.  I could, however, float around and dog paddle with one arm.  And I did.  Over and over again.

I love being in the water.  It wasn't perfect, but it made me happy.

By the way?  Riding the sea doos was totally worth it.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat despite the pain.  Next time, I'll just be a little better prepared mentally for what I should expect.

I stayed on the beach till the sun finally set.  I had to cave in and take a pain pill on Night #10.  I knew I'd never be able to function on Day #11 if I went another day without sleep.  I also knew I'd never be able to sleep with my arm hurting so intensely. 

It was okay though.  I wasn't happy about having to take pain meds when I've gone several weeks without any.  I tried to focus instead on the positives of this trip and the beauty that surrounds me.

Eventually I did fall off to a much needed sleep.  As I drifted off I could hear the rain pouring and the waves crashing.  Felicia waited until nighttime to arrive.  I sleep here every night with the sliding door to our bedroom open.  There's a balcony off the bedroom and the waves crash below.  

Day #10 was not a perfect day, but it was a very good day.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[Maureen at IslandRoar]

Oh, so sorry you have to be in pain on vacation. Glad the water helps.
And glad Felicia didn't give you any worries.
Another beautiful sunset!

[Linda]

That sunset photo made me gasp it's so beautiful!
Glad you are doing things that make you happy!

[Kristan]

Oh 24, only you could make a weatherman sexist. :P

Sorry about the pain, but you've got a great attitude about it. :)

[Jan]

I know how much you hate taking the pain meds, but I'm glad you did so you could sleep. And I'm glad the sea doos were worth it.

Another beautiful sunset...these new bathrooms of ours better be damn spectacular.

[Chris]

You have a great attitude. I'm glad you took a pain pill, got some relief and sleep, and moved forward. Inspiring.

A "good" day is something to smile about! :-)

[Sandra]

Day 10 already?! I'm glad you're having such a great time, despite the arm pain.

[Kelly]

Beautiful photos as always. You crack me up. Damn sexist weather men! ha!

[LPC]

I love hearing about your vacation. Somehow it brings home like nothing else what you go through with your arm. Which makes me more tolerant of my various aches and pains. Which is a good thing. Thanks.

[Kari-Mel]

So sorry your bum arm is giving you fits while you're trying so desperately to enjoy every single moment of your time on Maui. Damn it to hell for interrupting your very special trip.

I feel like I've been on your vacation with you since you've described it so vividly - and oh how I truly wish I was - but of course I wish I was anywhere but here right now.

Have a safe flight home and look forward to talking to you via e-mail once you're home and settled.

Oh - and thank you to all your wonderful readers who came by with well wishes when 24 wrote a guest post for me while I was having surgery. It was nice meeting all of you who are so sweet to 24 all the time. You are a very kind bunch and I know why she likes you all so very much!

[Life with Kaishon]

I love the pictures. SO beautiful!