Waiting for More Better

I had my two-week post surgery appointment today, and my surgeon is very pleased. He says I am ahead of the curve.

But he also explained to me why I don't feel like I am. Despite only having to replace the worn out plastic spacers, he had to do a lot of looking around to make sure nothing else needed replacing.

So lots of digging, exposing, which has resulted in lots of pain. But he is quite pleased with my extension and flexion, as are my physical therapists.

Considering all I have been through, I really thought this recovery would be easier. I was wrong.

And not having a knee and calf on the other leg doesn't help much. I can't get out of bed or off the couch myself, and even with help, it is excruciating.

The surgeon wants me to continue to use a walker, which of course, I hate, but he doesn't want to risk a fall. Makes sense.

He thinks I will likely be able to drive in a couple more weeks, and oh, how I hope so. Just being able to take myself to my own PT appointments will give me the independence that I miss. And maybe I will at least do a short shift at the shelter. Seeing the kitties and some humans could work wonders for my psyche. I am alone so much of the time, and it does get depressing.

I had stopped taking pain killers a few days ago, but with my surgeon's encouragement, I will go back to taking them at night so I can get some decent sleep. I am still on blood thinners so ibuprofen is off limits and Tylenol just isn't cutting it.

I feel so fortunate that I have great physical therapists. They remind me that they see improvements every visit, and they understand my frustration. And as one of them said, while I am getting better, she knows I want to be "more better."

I know I am doing incredibly well, but I am looking foreward to that "more better."

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