It's been awhile...

Hi All,
If anyone is still reading...sorry it's been awhile. Always look for us on FB, we're there daily!So
It's actually been awhile for a few things...
Summer has been great, except for Hurricane Irene who interrupted our lives briefly. My heart goes out to all those seriously affected. Prayers to you.
We've had friends lose loved ones-LD, PA and CC...prayers to all you and your families during these tough times. We are so sorry for your losses, we certainly know how that is.
KT is moving on-she will take some time off teaching to focus on her full time job and, hopefully, she'll be back teaching one day!
Little Mista is starting middle school and Little K is starting (eek!) high school!
And, as for me...
I had my second hip replaced. Remember, I have (had) CHD aka congenital hip dysplasia on both hips and had my first one replaced last year. I was going to wait another year to get the 2nd one replaced but the pain just got the best of me and I vowed I would not live in pain anymore. I try and say what I mean and mean what I say...so my 2nd surgery was the first week of August.
So, here we are, the last week of August, Labor Day weekend looming...
It's 'been awhile' since I walked without pain, and a limp...
It's 'been awhile' (uh, forever) since I walked like other folks walk, without my pelvis turning from side to side (had to walk like that since birth with the 'bad' hips)
It's 'been awhile' since I went on a vacation where I could be active if I wanted to be (we're planning in Italy trip next Spring)
It's 'been awhile' since I made a new friend and I have, in my PT Laura. She helped me SO much the year before my 1st surgery, gently giving me advice and pushing me without being pushy. I just love her. I'm working with her this time too and I'm looking forward to us being friends, not practitioner and patient after next week!
It's 'been awhile' since I completely trusted anyone and I put all my trust into ProSports Ortho and Dr. S and Dr. R. You know what? I was right to do so. I have matching scars, 2 amazing recoveries, the most high tech hips known to man and my life back. And, I was told Dr. S #1 is doing GREAT (he was to be my surgeon originally but was diagnosed with cancer the week of my 1st surgery. He is doing FAB and is currently fishing in the Arctic Circle! You go Dr. S #1!!!)
It's 'been awhile' since I could dance at a wedding (couldn't really at Melanie's, Kristen's or Jess') and I'm looking forward to dancing at SheriAnne's. (Sis of one of our new instructors)
It's 'been awhile' since I could put my sneakers on normally-really looking forward to that.

See, when you have a birth defect you miss out on a lot of things. But, I'm lucky. I didn't find out about this until I was 45. I'm so glad I didn't know my whole life because I feel like I might have used it as an excuse not to be active or fit or healthy. Instead, I was fit, healthy and active my whole childhood, playing tennis, dancing and doing Jazz since I was 17. When you don't know you're different, you don't 'act' different and you don't 'do' different.
When Dr. S told me and showed me how different I was...I was mortified. I thought, wow that stinks. I cannot have surgery. I cannot allow someone to cut me open. I will not be in the hospital. I was scared to death.
As noted above, it took me about a year to get my mind around the idea and then, once I did, it was full speed ahead. It was amazing, miraculous...easier than I thought.
The whole process has been life changing, which is weird because my whole life is changing other people's lives...and while Jazz did change mine (and honestly kept me out of a wheelchair and that's the truth-straight from my world class surgeons), I really didn't feel like anything else in my life changed my life. Or maybe I thought I was done having life changing experiences...thankfully, that's not the case.
What I've learned is that I have been blessed with a group of doctors who lead the world in this type of surgery, they gave all their expertise and skill to me, 2x, and it has given me a life I could hardly remember.
I no longer have to buy the biggest bottle of Advil at CVS.
I can walk through the mall without getting tired (tired because all my muscles were firing like mad to keep me walking).
I can plan an Italian vacation with my husband, complete with walking through Rome and up the Spanish steps.
I can walk my puppy for longer than a couple minutes.
And, most importantly, I can kick all your a**es even better than ever.
Who's excited????
ME!