Monday, a week after I started the whole Regenexx procedure, I went into the clinic for a follow-up appointment and to have one last injection. It was a two-step process,
In the morning, I came in to have my blood drawn. This time they only took 6 vials of blood! (Read here about the first time I had my blood drawn for the procedure)
I went home for a few hours to pack and then returned to the clinic for my last injection. Dr. Pitts described it as fertilizer for the stem cells. In my mind, I thought it was only PRP, but he said there were many different technical parts to it and it wasn’t only PRP. I trust his judgement 😉 haha
It was quick and painless, one injection in the side of my knee and BAM! I was done. The only thing left was to make sure my brace was adjusted to fit.
Honestly, the whole thing happened so seamlessly. I loved how organized and thorough everyone was. Every single person that I encountered went out of their way to be nice and to ensure I was comfortable and ok. I can’t say enough good things about the experience.
Now grow little stem cells, grow!!!
Throughout the entire process, I was asked so many times, “Are you nervous?”. And truthfully, I wasn’t! I wasn’t nervous at all – until I was sitting face to face with the needle or the Doc was saying ok, small pinch here… other than that, I was SO EXCITED.
I had been talking to a friend who’s been through multiple operations and he said the same thing. That before operations and procedures he’s mostly excited because the outcome is always hope! The outcome was going to change his life for the positive!
And I couldn’t agree more with this procedure. Looking back at all the surgeries I’ve had, I never really was scared for them. With the exception of one… the last surgery I had in September 2012. The one surgery where, if I dwelled on changing the past, I would go back and never have done. I was seriously shaking before that surgery. My mom is a very emotional person and I know that she worries enough for her and I both. Therefore, I never used to worry about entering those situations. Putting on a strong face and acting tough is a coping mechanism that I have always used because I knew if I showed anxiety she would become a mess. My last surgery I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t stop shaking. I was scared out of my mind. Looking back, I know a lot of things were in play: my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome was screwing with my nerves, my pain and lack of progress was sending me into a depression and I had overall anxiety about LIFE. This time, going into this procedure, I was so calm, so peaceful, so happy that everything was working out at its perfect timing.
I’ve said it numerous times over the past 2 weeks, but I was really upset at first when I found out about this procedure. Why had NO ONE mentioned it before to me? Why, when there was an office RIGHT IN PITTSBURGH, had I not known about it? Why had I been left to suffer when there was a great solution out there?
I now know exactly why…
Had I had this procedure a year ago, or even 2 years ago when I first started searching, it wouldn’t have been successful. I know in my heart it wouldn’t have. (Read my post about healing in the right time). My psoriatic arthritis wasn’t controlled, my CRPS ran my left leg . . . there were so many factors in my body that would have rendered the procedure as a fail.
But now! Now is the perfect time.
Now my arthritis is under control to the point where I’ve been GREAT without my injections.
Now my CRPS has been in remission for a year and a half (knock on wood).
Now, mentally, I’m the best I’ve ever been in my WHOLE LIFE.
Now is the exact moment that the universe sent me my answer.
Now is the moment where my heart and mind are both open to full and total healing.
What part of the procedure was I most nervous about?
THE FLIGHT HOME! haha!
I spent the 3 days post procedure literally in bed – hardly moving from it. When I sat in a chair I could last for a few minutes, but my knee would start to bother me. I had to have it elevated and had to have a pillow under my knee for support. How was I going to sit on a plane for 3-4 hours??!
Well, everything works out like it should, and it just so happened that we were able to get our seats moved so there was no one next to me. This allowed me to prop my leg up on the seat and put a blanket under it for support. Between this, the ativan and the pain meds, the flight was very enjoyable! I pretty much watched the entire season 2 of the Goldberg’s and laughed the whole way home.
We didn’t end up getting home til 4am because our flight was delayed so I basically slept the entire next day. Upon waking up on Tuesday morning, in my own bed, I couldn’t stop praying and giving thanks to every and all who led me to this procedure.
I KNOW it’s going to work.
I know in my heart it is. 🙂
Check out my post 1 month procedure post!
Wishing You A Pain Free Day!
More Regenexx Posts:
Procedure:
Want to know how I found the procedure? There’s a post for that 😉
Day 1: Did you miss my previous post about my prolotherapy injections? Catch up here!
Day 2 & 3: Want to know more about when I had my blood drawn for my injections? Read this one!
Day 4 – 7: Interested in how the procedure went? Click here!
Day 8: Want to read about the last day of the whole process and my journey home? This is the post for you!
Monthly Recovery Posts:
Month 1: 5 tips from my post 1 month Regenexx recovery right here 😉
Month 2: In my 2 month follow up, I talk about 3 noticeable differences I’d identified!
Month 3: 3 month follow up and 3 things I’m grateful for.
Month 4: 4 months post Regenexx I’ve been caught saying ‘this is the first time in a long time’ A LOT!
Month 5: 10 NEW things I did 5 months post Regenexx!!
Month 6 & 7: MRI update on how things are regenerating and how I’m doing without my biologic Humira
Month 8 & 9: Spent 3 Christmases on crutches and it feels DAMN GOOD to be crutchless this year!
Month 10 & 11: Back to living a normal life & celebrating things I haven’t done in YEARS!
One Year: One year celebration and update on getting a platelets treatment for a different problem!
One Year + 6 Months: I traveled to the NIH to speak at an FDA hearing regarding regulations and guidelines on stem cells. Watch my testimony!
Two Years: Celebrating 2 years of a mobile and pain-free life!
