That the same thing i did with the side council verge (corner block with a big verge down the side). Slashed it with a few whipper snippers (1 with 2.4mm line, 1 with 1.3mm and one with tri blade), then the commando (gave up with the masport 4 stroke as it wouldn't do it).
Then glyphosate on the edges and a 10:1 mix of sugar & borax to kill the bloody ants.
I know what you mean with the hip - they are quite literally a pain in the bum. I've got hereditary bone tumors (benign so far) that range from small to a bit less than golf ball size.
Had 3 removed in 2015 (biggest golf ball sized one from below right knee and 2 that were rubbing together on tibia and fibula).
In the morning I sound like a car with stuffed cv joints (click, clunk, crack

)
The cold mornings are real buggers - fortunately Hyundai heater cores give out with the hot air pretty quick. Just keep on keeping on as they say

Hope the hospital wait time is just about over - I remember hearing about the absurd times they expect people to wait now.
Regards
Tyler