June and July have been quite a trial for me. It all began in mid-June with a persistent ache at the back of my thigh, right where my leg meets my trunk. The discomfort slowly escalated, not yet reaching the point of unbearable—until I had a task to attend to.

July 8th marked the beginning of a two-week adventure for me: teaching at the Young Writers/Young Readers camp at West Chester University. I was filled with anticipation, looking forward to spending my days inspiring elementary-aged students to write, read, and share their stories.

Unfortunately, by Thursday evening of the first week, my hip and leg were bothering me so much that I had my husband bring out the walker I had used when recovering from knee replacement surgery. When I woke up on Friday morning, I couldn’t even put my foot down on the floor without excruciating pain. I had to call out from camp, which was unthinkable but necessary. Luckily, I sent my plans in, and our two wonderful assistants held down the fort for me.

Since I had a spontaneous combustion pelvic fracture in 2017, I was beginning to think the worst because of the intensity of the pain. My daughter took me to a Rothman Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic for answers. After an x-ray and an exam by the Physician’s assistant, another pelvic fracture was ruled out. She believed it was the arthritis in my hip that was causing all of the pain. The remedy was to increase my NSAIDS to twice daily, stretch, and use a walker for two weeks. Here we go again. I was on a walker for six weeks with the previous pelvic fracture. I was a pro. I rested all weekend and iced my angry hip. Although my husband wanted me to stop teaching at camp, I was determined to go back because I had made a commitment.

On Monday morning, I hung a bag over each side of the walker, along with the lunch my husband lovingly made me each day. Then, I wheeled out to the car, and off I went. Each evening, when I got home, it was icing and stretching again. I was able to finish out the second week of camp with the walker’s aide.

What was supposed to be two weeks of using the walker stretched into three (but felt like an eternity). I didn’t complain much, although my family and colleagues might remember it differently. I tried to stay optimistic and channel my mom, who never complained, even when arthritis ravaged her entire body. I am happy to report that I am now mainly walking unaided (with occasional cane use) and have returned to my Aqua Fit classes at the gym.

Yes, I was in a great deal of pain, but what was I going to do – lie in bed all day? I tried to remember that things could definitely have been worse, and playing the martyr and “suffering” would do no one any good. My skeleton may not be kind to me right now, but I am happy I could manage the pain and continue on.