Failing Parts in Middle Age

Would that I was a Beluga, rocketing through the depths, a perfect swimming machine. Instead I am a land bound primate whose characteristic upright posture has now lead to the inevitable result of fighting against gravity for a life time. I speak of osteoarthritis. In my case, of the hips, and in particular, the left hip. I seek relief in the form of total hip arthoplasty, ie, a hip replacement. This is my saga.