Hello Everyone!!
Wow!! It has been a LONG time since I have prepared a REAL newsletter! I apologize for that, as many of you know, I had total hip replacement surgery on February 28.

Many of you had seen from my previous newsletter about my surgery... so first of all, I want to say THANK YOU to each of you for the many emails, cards, and well wishes I have received. I have been totally humbled and supported in my healing by each of you. This one is so long...hopefully, it will make up for some lost time! *giggle!*

Over the past year and a half or more, life had become a struggle. I was in constant pain and while "you, the audience" didn't know it, I was holding it all
together until I could get off the stage and get some place private. I had seen several doctors who had given me what I considered to be grim news....I was "too young" for hip replacement...and was basically told I'd have to suffer for another 20 years!!! Well, that was just unacceptable!!! I began to have a series of treatments that provided only a brief bit of relief and the treatments themselves were quite painful. They were supposed to (pun intended) LIMP me along for the next 20 years! I was at a loss.

In December of 2005, Mike Cross came to do two shows in Oriental. In fact, I missed Mike's first show
because I had been in the hospital that day and wasn't able to come. While talking after the second show, Mike and his wife Cindy each INSISTED they knew there was help for me and they knew WHO could do it.   When they returned home, Cindy Cross set out on a mission that would change my life completely! She had told me about Dr. Scott Kelley and she fully intended to speak with him about me. But, serendipity happened first and Cindy ran into George Brady, the world's best nurse in the grocery!

Within days, I had a DVD in my hands,  in which Dr. Kelley goes through EVERY single step of every process of both hip replacement and knee replacement! I couldn't believe it! My age made no difference whatsoever and an appointment was set up. Unless you have had joint conditions of any kind, it's really a hard thing to describe. Mine came from an old injury that had progressively worsened over the years. The pain was so intense that even being able to predict the weather with my hip was not fun anymore!  I began sleeping less and less and just dreading every day...much less trying to "act normal" at performances.

On my first visit, armed with MRI's, nerves and tons of false bravado, I went to Durham for my appointment with Dr. Scott Kelley, his PA Jamie Messersmith and George Brady, RN. Cindy Cross was there for a bit of hand holding and moral support. I noticed that the waiting room was filled with SMILING people!! Even if they were on crutches or canes...they were smiling. I met a gentlemen that I had heard of via broadcasting years ago, Linwood Duncan, and he was there for a post operative appointment. He explained just how wonderful his life had become after his surgery and was SO excited for the second replacement!! That sounded a LOT strange to me!! SURGERY? FUN? EXCITING? Hmmmm....

Soon, I was called to the back for x-rays, an evaluation from George and then Jamie and then finally Dr. Kelley who concluded that surgery was necessary. Everyone made me feel so comfortable, even though I was scared to death. I had all kinds of fears about "how my life would be compromised." I had heard about other types of hip replacements and there were SO many things that you could not do....but George was right there to take every phone call and reassure me that I would be just fine and in fact, better than ever!

Once, I had sat up on one of my particularly sleepless and painful nights "doing research" on hip replacement. While KNOWLEDGE IS POWER...well, sometimes TOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE can get you into a mess! HA!  I had a litany of things that I had uncovered that caused me concern and fear. I called Dr. Kelley's office FIRST THING...and there was George, who allowed me to go through each and every item on the list, reassuring me item by item! I'm sure he was shaking his head at some of them!! OK GEORGE!! I CONCEDE! I WON'T TAKE UP SKY DIVING NOW!!! And I have canceled that trip to climb Everest.

Jamie Messersmith is just precious. His warm and ready smile is both comforting and reassuring, but don't be fooled... he is thorough and knows his stuff. He also had answers to each of my questions....and never made me feel rushed or hurried or that any small thing was unimportant. He even reassured me that he too would be in my surgery, which pleased me. I figured the more the merrier! Jamie's steady demeanor was...and remains such a comfort.

Finally, I want to tell you about Dr. Scott Kelley. My first impression was WOW! HE'S TALL! Now, considering I'm 5'4, everyone seems tall to me! Dr. Kelley came in with an easy manner, a kind demeanor and ears that truly LISTENED. I'm sure he had heard it all before, but he took so much time in hearing my fears, worries, aches, pains, etc. He answered every question that Wayne had and truly wanted us BOTH to feel secure about my pending surgery. They call themselves a "TEAM" and they are in every aspect of the word. EACH member is vital to the overall mechanics of how they perform...and a "well oiled machine" they are!

I was in the hospital from Tues. to Friday and before I knew it, I was HOME, in my own bed with my faithful Geordie hopping right up in there with me within minutes of my arrival home! (My "sorta daughter" Nancy Hudson baby sat my sweet Geordie while we were away...thanks Nance!)

Looking back, I can hardly believe all this has been possible. Dr. Kelley is one of FIVE surgeons in the country who use the technique that he does in hip replacement. I am both HONORED and FORTUNATE to be a patient of his. My life is becoming familiar again! I am looking so forward to getting back into the groove of things and being totally MYSELF!

I already see glimpses of mischief, so everyone look out! I'll be back to my same old Annie before you know it!
I am attaching a photo of THE THREE HIPPEST GUYS I KNOW: George Brady (sitting), Jamie Messersmith (behind George), ME! and Dr. Scott Kelley...my heroes. Words cannot express how grateful I am to you guys!!!   You have truly given me "my normal life" back!!! I will be forever grateful for that.

And to think, within 10 ...yes TEN...days of my surgery, I was sharing the stage with Livingston Taylor (see pictures!) for two nights in a row and singing my heart out! Looking back, I am TRULY amazed!!!

So, my friends and readers, there you have it. I wanted to share with you WHO was responsible for my surgery, my care and all that's been going on. The aftercare that I have received by way of cards, letters, flowers, emails, etc have been overwhelming.  I am so incredibly blessed to have you all in my life.

I will be taking a few bookings over the summer, so keep a check on the calendar. I will be at Ocrafolk, so try to come see me there! Beyond that, check my calendar!

I wish you all peace, HEALTH, and beautiful lives!!! Thank you for allowing me to continue to do what I do...both listeners, friends and the staff of Dr. Scott Kelley.

Keep enjoying this lovely spring! I'll have another update before long...and I'll look forward to seeing you "out there!"
Lots of love!!!
Annie