So, some personal news...

After months of wondering what the hell was going on with her hip, being in so much pain that work-camping was becoming more of a chore than a fun thing, my mom went to the doctor and found out she will be needing hip replacement surgery. She is scheduled to get it done in mid-November, over a week before my birthday.

Now, this isn't her first rodeo with all this, she had both of her knees replaced over ten years ago. But naturally, I worry since she is... well, ten years older than when she got her knees done (for those keeping score at home, she is sixty-one). Dammit, I knew having older parents was going to start haunting me at some point. And here we are: me fretting over it.

I know she is in good hands: the doctor did her previous replacement surgeries and has even helped my dad with his own arthritis issues. My mom is no hothouse orchid either, I liken her more to a lovely flowering succulent: low-maintenance yet when something is seriously wrong, TLC is welcomed with open arms. My parents are very faithful and believe in prayer (which can help calm one down during stressful situations) and also have great insurance, even the funds to pay off whatever the hospital will likely throw at them.

For once, I'm thankful I still live with my parents. With this surgery being a future thing, I feel I'll be able to help whenever I can. And no, it will not come at the cost of my job-hunting nor my possible future job(s). My mom made it clear that she will smack me upside the head (metaphorically of course!) if I ignore myself while helping her during the six-eight week recovery period. It may be things like help keep the house clean, drive her to some places, and even root for her as she works on physical therapy.

I was barely eighteen when my mom first went for surgery to alleviate her arthritis (sadly, a disease that has roots deep on both sides of my family tree). I was an immature, snarky, pessimistic girl then. I'm still snarky, but I have grown so much. Sure, I still get pessimistic thoughts and I have the tendency to whine especially when I'm under deep stress (better than getting angry, I guess); but I feel now that I can be more of a help as a young adult with a better grasp of herself. Not just because I got better psychologically, but now that I've shouldered a lot of responsibility since then, helping someone after a surgery wouldn't be an overwhelming thing to do.

But that doesn't mean I will not worry. Damn my anxious mind.

The one thing to keep in mind is that once it's done, my mom will be mostly pain-free until her days on Earth are done. May she live to be a hundred, more years of less pain and more adventure!

Love and cheers to you, Mom! You continue to be an inspiration.