Hips Don't Lie

THIS is why I love my daughter:


Me:  Well, my hip has been hurting quite a bit lately.  Might have to get that tumor in my femur removed.
Her:  My neck really hurts bad, I think I slept on it wrong.  It's definitely worse than your hip.
Me:
Her:
Me:
Her: Aaaand boom! Another great cancer joke!
Me:  (laughing) Oh yeah, high five on that!


All joking aside (well, not ALL joking) I do have to get that hip tumor taken care of.  Not only is there a great deal of pain, it poses a fracture risk at this point.  While my other tumors appear to be behaving themselves (at least according to the most recent PET scan), this one in the right hip is not playing well with the others.  I'm walking OK (albeit with a slight limp), can run on occasion, but have not been able to belly up to the barre and certain sudden movements can cause a spike of pain.  So back to the radiation oncologist I went, where we decided on a treatment plan involving stereotactic radiosurgery (basically the same thing I had done on the shoulder tumor last March).


Today was the prep work (aka CT simulation) when the technicians and doctor decide exactly where to radiate and how much - and good news, it's going to be a "one-shot" deal just like it was with my shoulder.  No cage for my face this time, only a few new "location" marks, really just tiny little dots tattooed on my hip to help guide the lasers to the right spot when I come back this coming Thursday.  So then a half hour of radiation, 24 hours of taking it easy, and I'll be good to go, right?  Not so fast, they tell me.  This time around I will also need to see an orthopedist afterwards.  Because the tumor is on a weight bearing bone (hey, wait a minute, just how fat do you think I am doc??) they will need to see if any further surgery is necessary after the tumor is gone in order to stabilize the hip.  That was a little disconcerting I must say.  So not so "one and done" after all.


Truthfully, given the fact that despite all these bone tumors (and by the way, they've been around so damn long now that I'm thinking of giving them names - like Dean, Sam, Castiel, Crowley, Chuck, Bobby, Rowena, Ruby...can you tell what my latest Netflix obsession is?) I've never even come close to anything fracturing, I'm betting that my hip will be strong enough without any further intervention.  I may have to make accommodations with respect to certain types of exercise but hell, I've been doing that for 22 years now, e.g. giving up my American Ninja Warrior practice. (OK fine, I was never an American Ninja Warrior but I HAVE had to scale back on certain activities, like waterskiing).  In any case, I'm taking the optimistic approach and electing to cross that bridge when I come to it.


And... as I am now older and wiser with respect to the so-called "pain flare" after this type of radiosurgery, I have warned my doctor to come prepared with a prescription for Percocet or I will NOT be going under the (cyber)knife.  Fool me once...


In other news:  As most of you know, I have been indulging my inner Artemis and attending archery lessons for the past few months.  Bought my own bow and have discovered I REALLY love this sport!  Luckily, no matter what happens Thursday, this is one activity I'll be able to continue.  Just look at that form (above) - I totally killed that demon/vampire/werewolf/zombie in one shot.


Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is heading into the Christmas season with hearts full of compassion, love and faith.  None of us knows what burdens others are carrying with them so just in case let's all throw kindness around like confetti.


Blessings and Love to All.