It's been five days since surgery and it really hasn't been as bad as I expected (compared to the first ACL surgery). I'm getting bored of sitting in bed or a chair all day and watching TV / reading a book, but it is at least relaxing. I've watched the entire Season 4 of 24, Season 4 of Friends, and read 3 books since May 3rd. Crazy!

So aside from "chilling" today, what have I done? I had my first local physical therapy (PT) appointment today at 9am. It was incredibly painful. First off, my leg propped up in a car as it bumps along the road is really painful (the four hours home from Cincinnati after the surgery were awful). At first, I had to explain my past medical history since it has been a little over a year since I last saw Doreen, my physical therapist. She then had to do some basic examinations to see how my knee measured following surgery to see how it improved during PT. That was the most painful because she had to push it to see as far as it could go. I was given some more exercises to do 3x a day so it now takes at least 30 minutes for each home therapy session.

When I got home, I elevated my leg, turned my Iceman on (think of a pump that continuously keeps my knee cold), and opened my "Day #6" of the get well bag that Christina, Erin, and Megan gave me (with the help of others)! It's my favorite part of the day although I'm on "Day #6" instead of "Day #5" because I opened one the night of my surgery – I cheated a little! Today's batch had two letters made by Erin (which had an amazing drawing of Nala from The Lion King) and Melissa!

For some reason, I experienced no burning or tingling (usually a sign of nerve problems) until today. My surgeon said to expect them earlier since he had to cut / burn a branch of a nerve, but I never noticed and have never ever experienced this type of pain before. And it finally showed up today – can't say I like it! It feels like my knee is roasting even with my ice machine on it. It's not tingling or anything, but definitely burning – yuck!

Pain Quote of the Day: "This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21)

I've missed attending my Chronic Pain Small Group (called HopeKeepers) at NorthRidge. I missed one because of finals, one because I was in Florida, and tonight's because I'm lying in my bed. It's so encouraging to talk to fellow believers who understand what it's like to live in constant pain. I like surgeries for the one fact that people "understand" this type of pain and are conscience of it; they send me flowers, balloons, and cards to cheer me up. But the fact is, I'm in pain all the time. I'm not asking for constant recognition or material gifts because who could afford that or deserve that outpouring of love and generosity? But on those days when all you want to do is go in your room, ice your knee, and cry – it gets lonely. So this pain group has helped me to be more comfortable in my situation and provides me a chance to talk to people who are in worse cases than I am.

Pain is weakness leaving the body so LiveStrong…