Grumpy Bon Mots ...

Well, it's "The other side" of The Year of The Hips. Last year I had hip replacement surgery on both legs. In case you are wondering, it went quite well. I am 25 pounds lighter, pain free, and able to do things I haven't done in years. There are still some kinks in the system, little nagging pings that give me pause, or a slight weakness in my leg, but that will disappear in time. This is, all in all, a great operation. One has to be impressed by the "mechanics" who perform these things.

In essence, for you who are curious, my legs were cut off, thrown over the surgeon shoulder, and new balls and sockets were installed. If you haven't seen it, it's somewhere between rebuilding a transmission, and shoeing a horse. Pretty brutal, for something so precise. When thy had me first step off the bed, on the first operation (they were 6 months apart) it felt like I was standing on a couple sheets of paper. The doctor said this was normal, because, unlike almost all people, I was now equal on both sides. Then, after they did the second leg, I felt nothing. In other words, the doctor was so good, he kept me "level". I was blown away by that fact.

Rehab was interseting. It happens fast, for about 3 months, and then it's a matter of small details. Little muscles in the groin and thigh that need strengthening. These are those nagging quirks to which I referred earlier. Nothing helps this more than a pool, and a gym. I now spend 10 hours a week there. I love it, and recommend it whether or not you've replaced major parts. It's just a great thing to do for ourselves.

To give you a little better idea about the life I once led, getting into a car was horrible. I had to lift my legs in. I couldn't walk on concrete. I could barely go out and get the mail. Sleeping became impossible, without getting up 4-5 times a night, from the pain of the bone spurs. The real agony, and irony, of all this is that I could have gotten this fixed 5 years sooner. The doctors kept telling me I had back problems. Not until the third doctor did I convince them it was my hips. I blame no one, because it is tough to diagnose, but I sure was relieved after they finally believed me.

It will be another 6 months till I am "normal". I still cannot run (there is a weakness that is hard to explain, that prevents it, for now). But, I can hike, ride a bike, drive normally, sleep normally, and actually put my socks on without having to sit. It's been a blessing. I do admit to one negative feeling I still harbor over all of this. My body parts did not last a lifetime. I know to be thankful they could be replaced, though. Thanks to all of you who offered kind words, and thoughts, through all of this.

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