20

Twenty staples out today... one by one... sting-y, but not unbearable. The scar looks good and will most likely be a nice thin line. The doctor and PA marveled at my progress- especially since the last time they saw me I had ultra-low blood pressure, fever, angry intestines, and hair that hadn't been washed for five days. Bleh. Bonus: I get to take a real shower tomorrow with no garbage bag taped to my leg!

My blessing of a friend Brenda Moore took me and we had a great time- stopping for Starbucks afterward to celebrate. I had my ultra-favorite Sweetened Green Tea Lemonade (you should try it) and a celebratory chocolate chip cookie. I have lost ten pounds since the surgery- I seriously think they had me full of bags and bags of IV fluid that I have since peed out. :)

My work continues as I try to bend to 110* (I'm still only on 85* with a great deal of pain and drugs). More importantly, I have to be able to get it completely straight. I've been walking incorrectly for so long (with a bent leg that couldn't straighten)- I fear that's going to be where the real pain and work comes in. And all of this has to be accomplished before scar tissue sets in and they have to "break through" it... which doesn't sound fun at all. However, the blessing in all of this is that my leg is greatly straightened... it had started to curve inward at the knee- the bone was collapsing because of arthritis. I'm really excited about having two straight legs again!

Prayers are appreciated as I continue to heal. :)