"U Got It Bad"

This is probably one of the toughest posts I've written, given the news I received this morning. After much pain and frustration over my leg/hip, I decided to have a follow-up appointment with my cousin. He took another look at my x-rays and recommended that I see another orthopedic surgeon and a rheumatologist. This morning, I went back and saw the orthopedic surgeon, who ordered additional x-rays of both sides, given that the left is also hurting these days. Upon examining the images and doing a physical examination of my range of motion, the doctor concluded that I have difficulty with inflection, among other things. He believes that the cause of these problems is an overgrowth of my hip socket along with potential problems relating to the position of the cartilage. For this kind of an issue, there are three potential treatment options--1. Change my lifestyle so as to avoid things that hurt, 2. injections of lidocaine, or 3. surgery to shave down the overgrowth and assess the condition of the cartilage. For those of you who have read this blog since January 3, the start of my weightloss journey, you know that number 1 is not an option. At this age, I am too young to give up everything, and I won't settle for that. Number two sounds more appealing and less invasive, but the doctor says that it may only relieve a small portion of the pain and is not sustainable because, over time, the injections will have less and less of an effect. Now, I'm really left with option 3. While it sounds like the best option available, the doctor warned me that, it may only relieve 70-80% of the pain and that, depending upon the condition of my cartilage, I may never be able to run again. Although I can deal with the idea of having some residual pain, the thought of never running again is really heartbreaking. So much of the person I've become is attributable to my new-found passion for running. He said that I would be able to elliptical and do other activities, but I just don't think it'll be the same. In any case, that's getting ahead of things, given that I still have to get an MRI to confirm the doctor's diagnosis, and I am also going to get a second opinion from a rheumatologist.

Still, I am incredibly blessed to have a wonderful, supportive group of people on my team--both friends and family. Thank you all for sticking with me during this difficult time. You carry me through times like these with your optimism and good wishes. I appreciate it more than you know.

Much love,
A