Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your slow recovery time.   Fusion is a
difficult surgery.  I had my left ankle fused (when I was a teenager - first
mistake) and the surgeon was one of those who couldn't admit that he'd never
done it before.  He gave me a fused club foot.  Several years later we found a
better surgeon who broke and re-set it and it's been much better since then.  
    I'm sorry I don't remember what my recovery time was like so you can
compare to it.  It was VERY difficult, though.  I think the technology is
better these days so it shouldn't generally be as bad as what I went through.
    Stairs will take a little adaptation.  You won't be able to step down
onto the ball of our toes anymore when going down.  Your thighs will get
stronger because you'll have to use them to step down gently.  (I usually just
*clump* down, but that's me.)

- Sharon
"Gravity...  is a harsh mistress!"