Doc's TPLO Surgery: Why does my leg hurt so much???

So my leg has been a little sore for quite some time after I've taken naps or after I spend weekends running free at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I didn't think too much about it but after running all weekend over Thanksgiving, my leg was really sore and I couldn't really use it. Mom and dad were really concerned and when we got back to Kansas City took me to see my vet. The doctor said that he was concerned that I had torn my acl because when he moved my knees they kind of "jiggled" instead of being stiff like they should. He took x-rays of my legs and watched me walk around. I didn't act too nice when he was trying to take x-rays but that was because he tried to roll me onto my back and I was scared. I didn't bite him because he is my friend but I kicked at him really hard even with my back foot! He told my mom though and she said that I shouldn't do that! He put me on two different types of medicine and said that he wanted to see me again in two weeks to see how I was. The medicine he gave me was Rimadyl and Tramadol. He also told my mom to watch me very carefully because the Rimadyl can make dog's tummies sick and if that happened that I would have to stop taking them. Well, we went home and took them (which I didn't mind because I got to eat icecream when I took them!) and they didn't make my tummy hurt so we were good to go. Well after the two weeks my mom and dad decided that the medicine was helping but that I wasn't my "normal" self so they would take me back to the vet. My vet looked me over and said that he thought that I should go see a specialist and possibly have the TPLO surgery done. I don't know what that is but it doesn't really sound good!!! Mom says that the surgeon will put a metal plate and pins in my leg to make it so it doesn't hurt anymore which sounds good to me. Mom asked the vet lots of questions about how much pain I would have and how long it would be before I could go outside and play. I heard my vet say something about 8 weeks!!!! YIKES!!! There will be lots of squirrels, rabbits, and birds in my yard in eight weeks! We'll see what the specialist says though. Dad will take me to visit him on Wednesday of next week and if he says I have to have surgery it will be on Thursday. Mom and Dad say I will have to stay at the hospital for one night and that they will come get me on Friday after they get off work. That makes me sad but I'll be brave and will try to be a really good dog so maybe I'll get a cookie when I get home. Well I'm off to go bark at those silly Christmas decorations that are STILL up down the street! Talk to you soon....Love, Doc!