cinch, I've read all the post and know what you're going through. My prayers are with you! I'm glad you got good news from the Doc's vs what it could have been, just make sure you do what you're supposed to do in order to get better. No short cuts!
I was in a head-on 4 years ago and I have been trying to get them to take mine off below the knee ever since. They won't do it because of their fear of phantom pain. So, twenty-two surgeries later, I know have a pain stimulator in my back that controlls only part of the pain, the rest you just learn to live with. I'm not going to let it controll the rest of my life and keep me from hunting and getting out and enjoying what God has created for us.