Aging

I like to consider myself an active, fit person. I exercise very regularly (to the dismay of my family!), eat reasonably well, and keep my weight down. But as noted in my previous post, of late I've been plagued by hip "issues". Which have finally been accurately diagnosed. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is of severe (slightly premature!) osteoarthritis in my left hip. The cartilage is pretty much gone and the bones are rubbing against one another. Not a pleasant sensation. I'm likely looking at a total hip replacement (both the femur and the pelvis are damaged) in the pretty near future. I'm looking into some faux-sinovial fluid injections (name brands of synvisc, euflexxa, and suppartz) but so far my insurance company isn't agreeing with this option. Meanwhile, I'm "allowed" to continue yoga (skipping poses I either cannot do or modifying them), riding the bike and the elliptical. No impact exercise. You know it's bad when you cannot sit with your legs crossed in front of you OR do the pose your yoga instructor calls "downward facing easy pose". At least I can still touch my toes!

Meanwhile Tom recently had his second cataract removed. It's suspected that it was "caused" by his previous use of nasonex (if you hear the add on TV cataracts is one of the possible side effects). The surgery went well and he flew off to Calgary on a business trip 4 days later. I joked that we should get a long trench coat, have me wear it and sit on his shoulders and button it up -- I could do the seeing and he could do the walking! Sort of like what you'd see a costume on Scooby Doo.

Then we have the girls -- Abby continues to be 12 with all the "issues" 12 year old girls experience. She's getting her braces on in June, but should only have to wear them about 18 months. Her bite is pretty good and she's only got a bit of crooked-ness. Sixth grade is going well -- at her school they have the same teachers for 6th that they had for 5th, so it's pretty much familiar and after almost 2 years she's ready for something new. I'm just thankful that I'm still able to help her with math homework! She continues to enjoy her violin and is ready to move up to a full-size one. Maggie is doing very well moving towards the end of her freshman year. She turned 15 and will take the driving portion of driver's ed at the end of May, then the ready to get her permit. I'm both thrilled and terrified of her driving!

Spring is definitely upon us and the azaleas are done with their blooming and the gardenias are budding. They are my favorite so I'm looking forward to them. Thankful for every day we continue to be here!