Thank you, Lovely! I appreciate you reading this and sharing your thoughts and kind words. Yep, it feels like an ice age. It's almost three months and I've still got a long way to go. If all goes well, I can ditch this full leg brace in another month. No idea how long before I can walk without walker or crutches, though. And beyond that blessed day - whenever it might be - I hear there will be a long period of continuing to improve strength, flexibility and range of motion.

I've been enjoying observing myself in this situation and seeing all there is to learn - but I am deeply grateful that the first five weeks of terrible constant pain are behind me. I did NOT enjoy anything about THAT period!