Thanks again for all the posts. Its pretty cool to know that there are others out there in damn near the exact place as yourself.
HnH - I agree with your thoughts on simply doing some physical activity and doing well at it. Walking to my PT's office (about 1 mile) has become a great enjoyment of mine. I work on my stride, its a nice walk through the park and over the river and there are lots of folks out running. It's very inspiring. Each time I go a little faster and stretch out the stride. It feels good. I need to start swimming, I used to in high school and I actually like the quiet, the focus on the line, and the simplicity of it.
Hip no. 2 is in August and as you and others have pointed out, the un-op hip is tough to work with. I can't bicycle without lots of pain at the top of the stroke (flexion) and I think that limits my recovery of no. 1. My PT is discharging me next week and wants to save my bene's for no.2. I agree with him. When he stretches the capsule, the strain across the groin is pretty bad. If I bend my un-op leg, the lumbar region compensates. Its pretty interesting to see how the body compensates.
Jeremy - yes, according to many folks here and lots of good surgeons we will get back to a similar active lifestyle. For me, being 42, having teenage boys, and dealing with the usual life stuff, I am accepting that I won't be as active or phyiscally fit as I used to. However, I do expect to be continuing with the same sports but at a more age-appropriate level, if there is such a thing.
Next dream will hopefully be about Cirque du Soleil. I want to jump and fly through the air like those guys. That, I do not expect I will ever do for real.