Ever since my 76th birthday in February, my physique has been falling aside orthopedically — hip, knee, and shoulder. Most of my physique’s programs are effective, however my skeleton, not a lot.
The MRI on my proper hip confirmed a lot of points, together with arthritis. My orthopedist has satisfied me that I would like a brand new hip. “It’s a surgical procedure that most individuals get well from in just a few days,” he informed me. “Nothing to fret about.”
Whereas I’m getting a second opinion, I believe I’ll ultimately find yourself with a hip alternative. Earlier than I scheduled the surgical procedure, Bonnie and I had a long-planned Seven Stars journey to Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina, adopted by a flight to Greece for 2 consecutive weeks on a cruise ship out of Athens. After we’re in Cherokee, we are able to fly to Europe out of Atlanta — which makes for a a lot shorter journey than flying to Europe out of Las Vegas.
Strolling with a walker is appropriate, so I figured I’d cope with the walker whereas away from residence and get the hip fastened as soon as I’m again. It didn’t work out that approach.
Harrah’s Cherokee is a somewhat giant on line casino, and our lodge room was nearly a half-mile from excessive restrict slots, which is the place I play their $5 Deuces Wild sport. There’s a newer lodge tower nearer to the on line casino, and we actually may have gotten a room there, however the health middle is within the outdated tower and (earlier than I knew my bones have been going to be hurting) I figured I’d spend three or 4 days per week understanding. Plus, one of the best place for breakfast (Selu Backyard Café) is in one of many older towers.
The primary couple days, I used to be strolling with my walker at an inexpensive tempo, however the ache stored rising. By the third day, I used to be hurting an excessive amount of to be strolling. We thought-about renting a scooter at $60 a day (that goes in opposition to the grain for somebody making an attempt to gamble with a bonus), however additionally they had just a few complimentary common wheelchairs.
Bonnie volunteered to push me within the standard wheelchair. We tried that, however she’s 80 years outdated, weighs 100 kilos, and there are some uphill carpeted pathways between the lodge and on line casino. After one such session, I acknowledged that this wasn’t answer. Whereas she would have stored going till she dropped, I made the chief choice that we may afford $60 a day for a brief time frame. When she talked about my hip ache to our host, he mentioned he’d comp the scooter. Now it grew to become a no brainer.
Individuals are graciously holding doorways open for me, and getting out of my approach as I drive by the on line casino. Whether or not it’s being well mannered or making an attempt to guard themselves from this loopy outdated man and his scooter, I’m undecided.
Along with video poker, I additionally try slots — of which there are quite a bit in Cherokee. Having a scooter is a plus.
Bonnie has some foot points as effectively. Whereas nowhere close to as extreme as mine, lengthy walks trigger her a little bit of an issue typically. So, we share the scooter. We sit facet by facet, each with half a butt-cheek off the sting, and he or she drapes her arm round my neck with the intention to grasp on. She’s often smiling, however frequently pleads with me, “Not too quick on corners!”
As we go alongside, many individuals smile on the sight and remark with a, “Now that’s the best way to do it!” or one thing related. Once they do, we each smile and I honk the horn of the scooter. Bonnie and I’d make facet bets on how many individuals would communicate to us on our journey from our room to our machine.
I ought to be capable to make it by the remainder of our Cherokee journey utilizing the scooter. However we’ll go away the scooter behind as we fly to Europe. How effectively the walker works then is to be decided.
It may simply end up that we resolve to remain on the ship and never discover the port cities. Which is comprehensible, however saddening. Exploring a number of Greek Isles, together with Jerusalem and Haifa, have been on our bucket record. Lacking them attributable to being unable to stroll effectively shall be a significant disappointment. If the surgical procedure goes effectively, perhaps we are able to reschedule subsequent 12 months.
