Thoughts from Dr. Joe: Getting older and getting more hip

“Your leg is dead,” the doc said.

“Doc, I’ve been shot up, blown up, beat up and have fallen from every conceivable height imaginable.”

“That’s not it,” he responded in his matter-of-fact tone. “It’s arthritis.”

“Isn’t arthritis what old people get?” I countered.

“Joe, you’re almost 70.”

I gave him one of my Bronx stares and barely whispered, “hmm.”

“Give me an hour and I’ll get you a new hip,” he said.

“Doc, you ever do this before?”

“No.”

Funny man.

Turns out, he has had some practice at replacing hips. Still, I wasn’t too happy about the idea. However, I’ve taken a lot of hits over the years. I’ve always known that sooner or later I’d need some assists from one or more medical devices.

I already wear glasses, so what’s the big deal about a new hip?

The deed has been done. There’ll be no more limping around town like Chester in the TV series “Gunsmoke.” A new hip! A new knee! A new shoulder! It’s a new lease on life.　

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JOE PUGLIA is a practicing counselor, a retired professor of education and a former officer in the Marines. Reach him at doctorjoe@ymail.com. Visit his website at doctorjoe.us.