Update

There hasn't been much to report, simply that I stopped seeing Dr. Musso at Sea Change New York a number of months ago. I couldn't afford her. I currently see a chiropractor on my block who accepts my Medicare insurance. Dr. Ellen Athenail. I still experience stiffness and soreness in my hips and have to be more prudent during cold and damp weather. Still swimming and faithfully doing my Pilates floor exercises every morning. I have to deal with a lot of stairs so that's not easy. But hanging in there. I hope everybody is doing well and I wish you all a blessed Christmas, Hanukkah, and happy New Year!

Five Months Later . . .

. . . I realized that I haven't posted in all this time. Continuing to make progress, continuing my sessions at Sea Change New York, twice weekly. Not cheap, my insurance doesn't cover these visits. Dipping into my savings/retirement fund, consider it an investment. I am walking better, still have some stiffness and soreness at times, especially when I'm overtired and when the weather is damp-ish. Continuing to do my stretching and Pilates exercises on the floor each and every morning. So the operative word here are

"continuing" and "progress".

Progress Continues

Have completed 20 sessions at Sea Change NY, have my good days and not so good days. Still have soreness and stiffness in my hips but walking without a cane. Will continue to see Dr. Musso at Sea Change. Learning to not "overdo" which isn't easy when you live and work in New York City. Continuing to do the Pilates floor exercises I learned at Movements Afoot, every little bit helps. I hire an assistant when I go out on photography assignments, I can't carry heavy equipment. Learning to ask for help.

Progress

I have had 10 treatments at Sea Change, New York with Dr. Deborah Musso. Dr. Musso is a chiropractor and so much more. I can't begin to understand what she does and how she heals, but something positive is happening to me. My hips are still tender and I walk slowly, but without a cane. Progress, yet I am impatient. But when I "overdo", I have to slow down. I always took being upright for granted. Am trying to avoid surgery or at least put it off for a long time.

Update

Last week I saw a second orthopedic surgeon who confirmed the opinion of the first doctor, namely that I need hip replacement surgery for both hips. By now, the initial shock has passed and I am processing this information, not sure when I will do the first surgery. Meanwhile, I had another session yesterday with the Pilates instructor who is really quite a healer with gentle hands. Each morning I continue to do the exercises she has taught me this far, they can only strengthen my muscles which is to the good. Next week I have an appointment to see a chiropractor/healer whom a friend highly recommends and claims that she saved her from life in a wheelchair. My insurance doesn't cover these "alternatives" so I am paying out of pocket. Nothing is cheap!

Slowing Down My Head

Receiving the news that I need both my hips replaced was a shock. I have had time to talk about it with friends who have experienced surgery. I am slowing down because anxiety is my worst enemy. Fear of losing my job, fear of everything, one by one my fears have not come to pass. I don't know when I will undergo this operation, I want a second opinion. Will do the research. Meanwhile, I am uncomfortable but not impaired. Using the cane, walking, swimming (my lifesaver). Hanging in and keeping the faith. I would love to hear your stories.

Hip Replacement Surgery

I received the dreaded news from my orthopedic doctor yesterday, I need replacement of both hips. When I told the doctor that I live in a fourth floor walkup apartment, he advised me that it would be bad to deal with stairs after replacement. So I am feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of having to move, plus have surgery. And I am concerned about my job. My friends tell me to THINK POSITIVELY so I am trying to do this, but last night I had bad dreams. At this point I have to face the situation with FAITH.