The other side of "midlife"

I went to the doctor the other day for a bad knee. Thought I'd have it checked out because it pains me at times and I definitely modify stair climbing and a real lunge is not going to happen on that side. The bottom line is that he said my knee was really messed up and I would have to have a knee replacement. In my mind I was like - that's for old people! The doctor said my high impact activities would be over. I walked out determined to continue as if I never had the appt. you see I have always been a "work horse". It has been nothing to me to do three consecutive zumba classes at high intensity because for me there is no other way to do zumba! I am the woman who scurried up the pole and did Russian lay backs without a second thought. I am pretty fearless. BUT since the appt, my knee hurts more than ever, I swear the dr. broke something in there, and I just feel OLD. Between the horrific hot flashes and this knee thing, for the first time I am feeling like all my HIGHs are behind me. It is a devastating feeling as I have always kept marching through anything and soon I may not be able to dance :(. I know I should be grateful for all that I have and I try to tell myself that the less active life might not be so bad but it is hard. I guess this is what they call the midlife crisis. My grandmother drove and lived by herself until she was 98 so I never thought I would be slowing down in my fifties. Anyway- thanks for giving me a forum to vent.