I have been MIA here lately. Life has really been throwing me some curve balls. My husband has gone in for the first surgery to treat a Melanoma. I hate to complain, his health issue is more life-threatening than mine, but my concerns are very real as well. I feel so helpless on both. In July I noticed a tremendous amount of pain in my hips after vacationing and walking a lot. I thought it was from lack of previous exercise with the weight. But, it continued. I went to my GP, and she was very concerned with my lack of range of motion. She sent me for x-rays, and it quickly came back as SEVERE arthritis in BOTH my hips. WTF?? It got worse. She sent me to an orthopedist who told me that it wasn't arthritis, it was actually a condition where bone grows into your hip socket, causing limited range of motion (think oval socket versus round) and bone against bone pain. The first ortho said "live with it, until you can't live with the pain anymore, then we will replace your hips." REALLY??? That is your suggestion?? I quickly sought a second opinion, desperately hoping for better news. Nope. This one didn't suggest waiting AT ALL. Would have liked getting me into surgery sooner than later. Being a teacher, I suggested end of June. She vetoed that, saying "sooner." We compromised on Thanksgiving break, assuming that we can get it through the insurance hoops by then.

In the meantime, I am at goal, and unable to exercise. I live in constant fear that I will regain the weight. My social life has suffered considerably. My get-togethers with friends involved walking on the beach, in the mall, etc. Now that I am unable to do those things, I am at a loss. Yesterday, I "bit the bullet" and went out to buy a chair that was more suitable for me at the beach. I have been unable to get up and down into my lower beach chair. This has kept me from going to the beach. I can literally walk to the beach from my house, or used to be able to. Now I have to find a parking place at a spot where there are no steps to go up and down. I have a handicap parking placard, but on a holiday weekend, the spaces are few, far between, and full.

This has caused me to become depressed. I am at goal, and should be celebrating, but am struggling. I want to share this with my husband, but we are more concerned about his health right now. I am so very much at a loss to figure out how best to support him as well. Yikes, now what??

I had one knee replaced at the age of 54 and the other at the age of 57. My sister had both of her hips replaced at the same time and had a much easier time of it than I did. With joint replacements they get you moving asap to prevent adhesions. I would venture to guess that you are getting far less exercise now than if you just went ahead and got the surgery. You will be limited to a low level of activity for a few weeks, but the improvement in your quality of life will be well worth it. I wish you the and your hubby the best. Hugs from Chicago.