It is looking good so far, I am laid up in bed, with a bit more time than usual to converse on forums :)

Yes I have to drive between 2 and 6 hours each way, depending on the hospital I need to travel to, and it does usually mean extended stays away from the family. That and recuperation time can put a lot of stress on the family unit, when there are 3 kids to get ready and to and from school, one with special needs, and a boisterous 2 year old to contend with.

But I am lucky to live in a country that has universal (if somewhat eroded lately) healthcare, so although I lose money through not being able to work, the health bills are not crippling like they are in the US and some other countries. Not being able to work, or to be able to watch the youngest one so that someone else can work is a real problem, but at least there are not outrageous hospital bills on top of that.

Being unable to move much and watching the rest of your family have increased workload can be a bit difficult, I feel like a total bum, but hopefully will be up and around properly in 4 weeks-ish if all goes well.

Pain is no fun, but it passes eventually, and so far, apart from a bit of a scare when I popped some staples (note: do not try to stifle a sneeze, post op) requiring some re-closing of the wounds, this time things seem to be progressing as planned.