A day off

A trip to town this morning included an appointment with my GP to discuss ongoing discomfort from my buttock muscles and the possible link with deteriorating osteoarthritis in my hip and spine.

Lovely GP asked heaps of questions, got me to stretch in various directions, then prodded me and manipulated both of my hips. At the end of the very thorough examination he concluded that all of the discomfort and some pain I’m experiencing is solely as a result of damaged muscle/s.

To say I was relieved was a huge understatement. I had convinced myself that a crumbling hip joint was at the root of the problems and that I need to start planning for surgery in the next year or two. But nothing in his exam pointed to OA at all. I have some NSAID medication to take as needed and referrals for hip and back X-rays (just in case) and to a physiotherapist next week.

I celebrated with a cup of tea and shortbread with friends who adore Jeaniebean and who look after her when I have long appointments in town.

It was a beautiful sunny day again, but with a biting easterly wind. My winter coat appeared from the cupboard for the first time this year. The new cabin soaks up the sun, so we retired there for the afternoon and both of us snoozed on the sofa. It was lovely to kick back and be idle.

Our late afternoon walk was brisk. The blip is the view towards Chez Mima (hidden behind the trees) as we headed for home in the last of the sunshine.