Bizzle,
Hey there. sorry to hear of what you've had to go through and what you are going through. You said you want to stay in...what are your options in cross training...you said the surgeon said you might not be able to do your job? So that has nothing to do with deployments?....could you get another job and stay in. I too, am looking at a new hip. The docs said I could stay in (off tdrl) (In the AF you can not go in initially with artificial joint) if it takes care of my pain and radiculopathy. From my research-new hips are better than the ones we came in with...albeit-We are not "suppose" to run because it causes more wear and tear. But, I know people who are running on their hips because they want to LIVE their lives like they always have. So, if you want to stay in...fight it. Most services are the same here...if you are in and get a hip replaced..and you can do your job...NOT the doc saying " I don't think you can do your job" ...um, thats them putting crap in your head....YOU can either do your job and to the standard of others or you can't. What is it? If you can't, CAN you re-train. If you can't retrain, then you may have to be MEB'd. And then as Jeep Freak stated..the above numbers are what you're looking at through VA. MEB'd is NO FUN...I hope you don't have to go this route. I hope you can finish your 20..get your full retirement and still have the VA money coming in because you had the replacements.
In regards to your anxiety and the like, are you getting treatment and do you feel that you are working past this? Make up your mind about what you want out of your life. Talk to your counselors...Be honest with YOURSELF, what do you want to do. What can you physically do right now? You are not alone and we will support you on this forum. Take care. Take it easy. It all works out...It really does.