Reality Check: Six Days & Counting

When someone calls to say your crutches have been ordered, you get the sense that your life is about to change. At least that's my experience. Although it hurts to walk, right now I can go where I want, when I want. Maybe I can't do it as much as I want, as fast as I want, nor can I do it without consequences - but at least I can.

That's going to change soon. I know this because of the crutches.

I've studied about the surgery, even watched a little YouTube video of one. I've read various first-person accounts about the hours, days, and weeks after getting a new hip joint. Intellectually, I get it. On that level, I got it weeks ago. But when someone called earlier this week to confirm my crutches have been ordered, that took my thinking to another level. Reminds of - at least I try to make it remind me - of those road construction signs: Temporary Inconvenience - Permanent Improvement.

I'm not sure how long I'll need the crutches - hours, days, weeks? Just thinking about it, though... the idea of not being able to walk on my own... it's a different kind of surrender than I will have ever experienced before. I'm used to pushing through the pain, but for some unknown duration that won't be an option after surgery.

Sometimes I watch "Little People, Big World" on TV. Matt Roloff has used crutches all of his 40-something years. Millions of people, I guess, have the same life experience. Others have lived their entire lives without taking a step. Others have suffered trauma or disease that means they'll never walk without assistance again. That's why you won't catch me uttering a single word of complaint about the crutches.

But, honestly, I'm a little nervous about it.