How it all began

I need to start with how this all began. I need a new hip. I have managed through abuse, heredity, overuse, pure bad luck... to destroy my right hip. They (who is 'they'?) wanted me to wait a little longer - until I was older to get my new hip. Since they only last 20 years - if that - then the idea is that I am going to have to have another one since I am only 55 years old.  If I waited until later in life, I might only need one.

The problem is the reduced quality of life I now have. I love activity - especially tennis and waterskiing in the summer, and tennis in the winter. Since I have now gone over 1 1/2 years without playing tennis, and two summers without skiing, I am ready to go under the knife. OK.. maybe not ready, but resigned. There is another issue. It's been waking me up at night. That's when the doctors all agreed - it's time. 

Nervous doesn't come close to describing how I feel.