I have had my articulating cement spacer for 3 months and I am 54 and was working FT before all of this and was somewhat active but the undiagnosed infection gave me a lot of issues for almost 2 years until they finally figured out what was going on. I literally feel your pain but what you do NOT want to do is put a new hip in while they think you could still be infected. I had a hip aspiration yesterday to determine when I can get my hip but I literally haven’t thought through the process of this spacer staying in for more than 4 months. I also have to rely on people (mostly my husband) for errands and grocery shopping. It is my right leg and I have tried to drive but that didn’t go well. I am trying to learn to drive with both feet but my right leg still gets fatigued so I am worried about my response time. It sounds like my surgeon is on board with doing the next surgery but to answer your question…yes sometimes spacers are left in for years for some people. It is truly a pain and my life has come to a screeching halt. Do you have someone to help you with your errands for now? I am fairly independent in doing everything else for myself but anything that involves driving somewhere I still need help. It is so difficult for those of us who were independent before having a prosthetic joint infection. There is a group on Facebook called Totally Hip Support Group. There are several of us that have had this surgery and they may be able to lend you more advice. Best of luck.