Yesterday afternoon was my first visit with the doctors since my hip replacement surgery. Several things came out of the visit--all of them good.

Most importantly, they removed the staples. Quite frankly, that wasn't pleasant but not as bad as I had created in my mind.

The incision looks good. No redness or fever, obviously no infection.

They were very pleased with my progress walking and with my therapy. I'm probably running a little ahead of schedule despite the setback last week with the alergic reaction to the oxycodone. I am to continue with the walking, increasing as I feel like it and follow the therapy plan which increases the exercise intensity and quantity each week.

He wants me to be the judge of when I get rid of the walker and drop back to the cane and eventually with no aides. I'm not ready for that yet but the more I walk, I am to put less and less pressure on my arms. When I can just drag the walker along, it's time to get rid of it.

Two more weeks and I can resume my water therapy. He wants to make sure I am totally healed before I spend a lot of time in water. Something to look forward to as I enjoy that.

Finally, my foot swelling. Since we know it isn't caused by a blood clot, and since there is no infection, it is just the way my body has reacted to the intrusion of the foreign body. The more active I become, the swelling will go.

All in all, a very good appointment and one that helped my feeling of confidence considerably. So now, I shall continue.