I can see a major correlation between my arthritis, and these boundaries. Arthritis is very much like the borders for many countries: it's there, but only you and the doctor know for sure. Arthritis also imposes many boundaries on the patient. Because of my five surgeries for osteoarthritis and subsequent joint replacements, I am now blessed with a variety of longitudinal scars. Because of osteoarthritis and its continuing progress (I never can figure out why it's called progress), I may have more and more borders that I can't or shouldn't try to cross. My cane or a monopod has become my security (like a passport). I won't leave home without one of them. I've had many people ask me how long it took before the pain from my total hip replacements was totally gone and I could forget that I'm pretty much a robot from the waist down. Unfortunately, I still have twinges of pain in both sides. Not like the excruciating pre-op pain, but enough to remind me that I'm not "all there. Of course some of my friends have claimed that for years!!!
I think a lot of this is attitude. One of my readers wrote in to ask if it didn't really irritate me when people treated me like I'm handicapped. Kace said "the only handicap is between your ears. I've learned to live with what I have and be eternally grateful to modern medicine that, so far, they can do what they've done for me!!
Celebrating my 65th On Kilimanjaro
So back to my Swahili lessons and picture filing. Theoretically, one of these days the snow will melt, the trees will bud, the sun will shine, the crocus will sprout in bloom and the robins will chirp. One day soon, I'll hop onboard a plane to Africa to again glory in the non-stressful life, the peaceful people, and the adventures again in primitive villages in the Bush. I will celebrate my 65th birthday on part of Mount. Kilimanjaro, as a blessing to hard work with doctors, physical therapists, and a lot of sweat and tears on my part.
I'm not a handicapped person: I have physical challenges that, at times, may hurt or slow me down, but I WILL DO IT! I WILL SUCCEED -- I WON'T ALLOW OSTEOARTHRITISTO TAKE ME OUT!
Kwa herini
(Swahili for Good Bye!)
Read more about Pattye's Journey:
Horseradish on My Oatmeal: Climbing Kilimanjaro with Osteoarthritis
