Wayne,
Against doctors orders do what I did! Wait until there is no more pain then just get the heavy lifting done for you. Once that's done learn how to use a step ladder on one foot and start aquascaping! It's all up hill from there and the tank does better because my stinken hands aren't always in it sine it's too much of a hassle getting in. I can't put any weight on my foot and I have another 4 -6 weeks left, this started before new years. Like you mentioned above "I have learned a positive attitude and humor heals all wounds" If the doctors understood how much this hobby does for our mental state they would encourage us to work on the tanks even more, since mind works over matter. I know for sure that once I got my tank going I started feeling allot better, especially since large tanks occupy allot of your time so they help while your just sitting at home. I am known in the NYC LFS as the guy with the foot scooter or crutches!