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From: Maggie
Date: 24 Mar 2000
Time: 06:27:39
Remote Name: 203.164.20.11
Start of a Journey Friday, March 24, 2000
A year and a half ago I was diagnosed as having degenerative hip disease. The last year of my life has seen my mobility decrease alarmingly.. Two years ago I was walking 6-7 kilometres a day. Now I am lucky to walk one. I have had a consult with a surgeon I am confident with. He looked at my x-rays and said "Oh this isn't good."
Then he told me to go away until I couldn't stand the restrictions on my mobility any longer or until the pain got unbearable. He said I am too young to contemplate this now, if I can possibly put it off. Can I? I am 50 this year. I am trying to buy time. Time to lose some weight (ideally I should lose 30 lbs, but realistically I am hoping for 20). Time to educate myself what all this means. I go to deep water aerobics classes 2-3 times a week and use an exercise bike regularly as well. I still eke out a walk or 2, of very limited distance but that is my favourite activity and I hate to give it up. I get physiotherapy and follow the prescribed exercises. I get acupuncture to reduce the inflammation and help with alignment. It seems like my entire free time is devoted to this right now.
I have heard some scary stories and some encouraging ones. Sometimes I find the pain overwhelming and sometimes the whole thing is just an irritation I can live with. I don't' want to trade problems I know for ones that might be worse. How much time can I buy?
Thank you for letting me post this. I know where I am going to end up and it is such a comfort to find this site! Of course I found it the day before starting my annual vacation but I will be back! ;-)