Healing

My knee almost looks normal today. The icing from the Kodiak cool pack inhibits swelling and my incision shows no evidence of infection or leakage. 

Until today, I have wondered why everyone keeps talking about the pain or managing it after full knee replacement. The last week has been relatively pain free or at least under control. I haven't been kept awake.

Today has been different. I have a noticeable pain in my left thigh when I try to lift my leg. I may have strained it too much as I exercised. I have a twitchy left spot just above my ankle that throbs despite my medication.  It feels a little hot but I can't see anything that would explain why this hurts.

Hiking and normal activities seem out of reach. It's a longer process than I thought.