July 14, 2008 Monday

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I had a naive view of arthritis. It was just aches and pains. Walk it off. Stretch a little.

Then I was diagnosed with it. First it was in my back. It had become increasingly difficult to push my trusty old mower around the yard. I had to stop to rest three or four times.

So that justified getting a riding mower. Always wanted one.

But attending my niece's college graduation required a lot of walking around the large campus and I couldn't keep up. Several x-rays confirmed my problem, but I learned to deal with it.

Last year I tore a muscle in my leg. Recuperation was slow. And arthritis is opportunistic. For the longest time I thought the pains were just the leg healing.

Ever seen the cholesterol drug commercials with the warning "Report any unusual muscle pains or weakness as they may be signs of a serious side effect." So I was checked for that. Wasn't it.

I can barely walk any more. I hobble. I walk like an old man.

But then, that's what I am.