Moderate Osteoarthritis

The doctor called yesterday with the above result of my hip x-ray. For the time being I'm just supposed to keep exercising, take joint supplements and use anti-inflammatories as needed. Losing weight is also recommended (of course it is) If the condition hasn't improved in about three months we'll look at other options. Hip joint injections require more than a regular office visit and if it gets really bad, there's always hip replacement (I feel so old now)

I have researched a lot of web sites for recommendations. One man claims krill supplements worked for him when fish oil didn't, so I'll try that when my current fish oil supply runs out. Another person actually listed the supplements they take and claim that they've been pain-free for over twenty years while all their relatives are suffering from arthritis. Something to consider.

Had lunch with former co-workers in Anchorage yesterday. Went to Costco since I was in town and purchased some merino wool socks as I can't seem to find them anyplace else. I doubt that the $75 annual membership is worth it just for socks so I grabbed a pair of winter gloves too. We thought we'd probably make a monthly trip to Costco once we moved out here but that hasn't been the case. I wouldn't even have kept our membership current except that they automatically charge it to the American Express card.

I will have a riding lesson later today unless I hear otherwise from my trainer. I foresee pony carts in my future...

Ruminations (yeah, like a cow)

One of the blogs I read made mention of how fall is depressing for many people. This surprised me as I usually hear how autumn is so many people's favorite season. I had always understood the winter holidays were the hardest to cope with.

When we moved here last year I just stashed stuff without really taking note of what went where. Consequently I can't lay my hands on an item without significantly searching. This week I rearranged my junk room. I still don't know where anything is but it looks better and I have more floor space. Baby steps.

Speaking of babies, my friend sent me photos of her grandkids yesterday. One is of the little girl I used to babysit posed on a pony at the fair. My immediate reaction should have been, "Aw!" Instead it was, "Get that child to straighten her leg and put her heels down." Um, no.

I had a fantastic riding lesson last Tuesday and really felt like I was making progress in using my legs when I post instead of putting most of my weight in the stirrups. Of course the horse had to slip in the pasture later in the week which canceled my Friday lesson. I took him for a walk yesterday to keep him from stiffening up too much. The week before I was able to ride him three times as my trainer was out of state and said I could practice while she was gone.

I think I've mentioned how my left leg bothers me. I went to a chiropractor in July which didn't make any significant difference. Friday I saw my regular doctor and she ordered x-rays of my hip. I'll find out the results in the next day or two. I hope it is something that can be dealt with and not a chronic condition that I'm just going to have to learn to live with. It's getting to the point that I can't mount the horse without assistance, which is just embarrassing.

Oh, one of my friends is taking a literature class and sent me a copy of a poem by Alexander Pope. I think she'd like to discuss it with me which means I'm going to have to try and comprehend it. My head hurts from having to think.