Since you mentioned swimming....

I can't say enough good stuff about swimming as cross-training. It seems to keep me injury-free for my other sports (running and cycling) and it keeps me sane during the winter (indoor pools= the cure for "trainer-blahs").

Don't be so fast to blow off the idea of working out in the water(we don't want to watch you slip into Homer-itis). Have you considered an aqua-jogger (http://worldwideaquatics.com/catalog...t.asp?PID=1473) or a pull-buoy (http://worldwideaquatics.com/catalog...t.asp?PID=1382) ?

If you don't want to sink the cash into these items, call your local public pool and ask if they have them to lend(such is the case with the pool I frequent).

I think it's great that you are seeking medical help. They might even be able to get you into a pool/PT program as part of your rehab.

If you want to work on the swimming and you can't hire a coach, check out Total Immersion (http://www.totalimmersion.net/)

Good luck! (One of the girls I ride with is going through something similar...and we have her in the pool and she has started running/spinning again...there is hope!).