@ellerbracke @contentandwell @dixiedog @babette thanks so much for the comments, they do help flesh out the context and make me see that there are many differences in body type, muscularity, etc that will alter one's own experience of recovery. I had therapy yesterday and Alex added and changed a few of my exercises. He has now started the leg raise, which I am able to do, about 4" is all I can manage. I am doing toe raises holding onto the wall, and squats by the bed where I try to touch my butt to the top of the bed without sitting down. Then of course the bends and extensions; extensions are relatively easy for me but bends of course take effort and teeth-gritting. And finally lymphatic massage with leg elevated, starting with ankle pumps and then gentle massage at back of knee, then at the groin area where the leg connects to the torso. Needless to say, this is my favorite (no pain involved).

Alex also transitioned me to a cane which was not difficult. It is good for stairs and I went up and down a few times. However it doesn't stand up on its own so when doing things in the kitchen is less convenient, it dangles from my wrist or I have to put it down. I will go back and forth as needed.

Today I started weaning from the narcotics onto pure Tylenol. I made it through the first set of exercises. I suspect I will have to take a med at night and then can slowly get off the things.

@babette I had bursitis before the surgery so I sure hope it has gone away.

@dixiedog you are so right, form is everything and slight changes in form can produce very different numbers. So I think the best thing is to only use numbers in a relative way. I can also see that in the weight room, where people change the position of their bodies and suddenly can lift more, or use their backs when they are supposed to use only their arms, and so on. Being a PT yourself (what is a PTA?) must give you a different perspective.

Thanks all and I'll post about my progress (or backsliding) with meds!