Oddly, what’s laid me low is not so much the surgery and Vicodin, but the cold I picked up a few days ago. So in addition to antibiotics and painkillers, I’m also dosing myself with antihistamines and decongestants, and observing with some entertainment the war between Vicodin (may make you drowsy!) and Sudafed (never lets me sleep well).

So far, though, so good. Surgery was quick — apparently kniedzw hadn’t even finished his danish in the cafeteria when I arrived in Recovery — and while they gave me crutches to steady me on the journey home, that was just because of lingering anaesthetic effects. I’m walking just fine, if a bit gingerly, with suitable caution because the Vicodin makes me a little dizzy. Fortunately I’m getting by on one pill of the 1-2 they recommend taking; I’ve gotten more pain from elevating my foot (leading to loss of circulation in a couple of toes, leading to pain when I shift position and the blood comes rushing back) than I have from the incisions themselves.

Many thanks to everyone who sent along good wishes, cards, offers of help, etc. The plan for the next couple of days is to take it easy and see if I can wean myself off the Vicodin in favor of ibuprofen. Tuesday I have a follow-up appointment with the orthopedist, and then it’s pretty much just a matter of waiting for the four weeks to be up so I can get out of this boot and start physical therapy. The exciting part’s over; what comes next is boredom.