My right hip was replaced two weeks ago, and I've already logged about 6 miles on it.

In the past week, I've been walking (with crutches) about a mile a day, usually in two separate walks, and have been able to do every daily task except put on those special white tights that prevent blood clots and make my legs look great.

The sharp "bone-on-bone" pain is gone; instead I have a dull soreness in the muscles and tendons that were cut. But every day it gets a little better, and I'm off the painkiller percocet completely.

The biggest challenge I've had is thinking. My brain feels sluggish, as if I can only think about my next move in a chess match, with no ability to consider what my opponent might do in response.

My German-American friend Ingrid warned me about his, when I asked her if I would be able to return to work a week after surgery. "No. The anesthee-ssi-a, it killss the brrain cellss."

I'm growing new cells as fast as I can, and hope to be back to work soon.

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