New Horizons

Back on January 19, 2006 — what seems like ages ago — the New Horizons probe was launched. Fellow listener SpaceC at StreamingSoundtracks.com happened to be a launch worker at the time, and she posted a beautiful photograph of New Horizons just as it was leaving Earth:

This has been the wallpaper background image on every home and work PC, laptop, and cellphone that I’ve had since that date. Way to go, NASA!

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(New) Hipster

It’s been just six weeks since I had my hip replacement surgery. Not long ago I was diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement (cam) in my left hip, a condition I has born with that combined with 50+ years of activity had reduced the cartilage to pretty much nothing. Instead of walking with a limp due to my faulty hip joint, I now (barely) walk with a limp due to the muscles around it, which my physical therapy continues to address.

I was sent home the morning after my surgery, and the recovery progress has been pretty amazing; after a rough first week, I was able to ditch my walker on day nine, and the cane was gone less than two weeks after that. Mo & K (and Belle) have been a huge help. The initial follow-up with the doctor went well, and everything hit home when I saw the post-surgery x-ray. The new hip looks something like this.

I put in a mile on the track at the Y a couple weeks ago, and was able to help Jay (who’s also been a big help) mow the lawn a bit. I’m currently working on climbing stairs without favoring my hip, and continuing to stretch the very tight quadriceps on my left leg.

one of my ever-present helpers maintains vigil nearby early on in my recovery

Not sure when the ligaments/tendons around the joint have tightened up enough that I don’t have to worry about the new hip dislocating when I bend over to tie my shoe, but slowly that range of motion is returning and I’ll be better than before. Thanks everyone for the thoughts and prayers!