A month since surgery

It's hard to believe it's been a month since I got the new knee. 30 days have passed quickly and painfully. I had no idea I'd experience such pain with this surgery. I figured since I've already had several major surgeries, this would be a piece of cake, but I guess age has played a factor in this one. 

I wish people hadn't sugar coated it when I asked about their experiences with the same surgery. I like to know what I'm up against. That's why I normally tell it like it is. I guess they wanted to protect me and encourage me to go ahead and do it. 

Yes, I needed the surgery. Yes, I could have waited a little longer but I'd already pushed it off for 2 years and I'd already had 2 surgeries on that knee during those 2 years, so...I figured I'd better go ahead and do it before I got too old. 

The physical therapy has been tough and gets tougher every session. I think physical therapy should be called perpetual torture. 

The doctor had said I'd need 6 weeks of therapy post surgery. I did 4 and told them I'd do the rest at home. There's no reason for me to have my insurance company billed almost $600 a session and for me to pay my share when I can do the same things at home for free. 

So, I'll be working toward getting a good range of motion over the next few months so I can get back to doing the things I enjoy, like hiking. Right now, I'm using a walking when I need to and using a cane when I feel steady enough to do it. 

If you want to know the real scoop on knee replacement, it's a really challenging surgery. It's extremely painful and will take months and possibly years to recover from. Don't let people fool you into thinking it's a piece of cake, because it's not.