Yes, folks, I'm handing myself over to the tender mercies of US health care on January 7th for hip replacement surgery. Not exactly cause for celebration at age 60, but not surprising either considering my parents did so in their early 60's. I have all the confidence in the world in the surgeon. My concerns are anesthesia, MRSA and paying the bill. I suppose if I survive the surgery and avoid MRSA and I can take care of the latter concern s-l-o-w-l-y. I'll probably be incommunicado for a month (too many stairs to navigate).

I'm sharing this with all of you, because I value this community.

My concerns are anesthesia, MRSA and paying the bill.

Anesthesia is no big deal; that's why they pay anesthesiologists so damn much money--not to screw up. Of course they paid bankers a lot and they did screw up, but their fees were based on their sales.

Is MRSA nosocomial? Maybe you have concerns about the hospital? Always a slight risk, I guess.

"Paying the bill"? Hope to God you've got insurance in the Land of the Fleeced.

Anyway, good luck. Now's the age to get used to operations of various sorts.

Remember, Phil Jackson had both hips replaced and the Lakers won the championship. Perhaps your team will be equally inspired.

revrick:

Ok, I finally found it . . . hip replacement. I hope they are doing the new technology on you that leaves much of the bone for the future. You are in my thoughts rick. Not much of a praying man; but, I will make the exception and say one for you although being in my thoughts is something reserved for very few.

You'll be fine . . .