Last year, I wrote a big reflection on the 10-year anniversary of my Regenexx stem cell procedure. I talked about the crutches, the bone-crippling pain of Avascular Necrosis (AVN), the leap of faith that changed my life, and why I’d suggest it to anyone facing similar situations.
Today marks Year 11.
Usually, as a patient leader, I feel the need to have some big, profound update or a new lesson learned. But honestly?
The best update I can give is that there is no update.
My knee continues to be stable.
I have no pain.
I’m still living the life that 2012-2015 me thought was gone forever.
I’m knocking on wood as I type this, but 11 years in, this procedure remains the best decision I ever made for my health. It gave me my mobility back, and more importantly, it gave me a decade (plus one!) of not having to think about my knee every single second of the day.
To anyone out there currently in the dark days of AVN (or osteonecrosis) or chronic joint pain – stay hopeful. Sometimes the best chapters of your story are the ones where nothing “noteworthy” happens because you’re too busy just living.
Here’s to another year of stability!
Note: I had my stem cell procedure done at the Centeno-Shultz clinic in Boulder, CO. But if you’re in Pittsburgh, like me, you should check out Regenexx Pittsburgh!
Wishing You A Pain Free Day!
Monthly + Yearly 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!
Special Update: Regenexx produced video and my 2015 Christmas wish!
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!
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 – Watch my video update!
Four Years: It’s getting hard to make these updates because I’m doing SO well and have nothing to update on
Five Years: Hear testimonials from my sister and my parents on how Regenexx impacted our whole family
Six Years: Life definitely got in the way and I COMPLETELY FORGOT to create an update. Spoiler: I’m doing great 🙂
Seven Years: Check out these two Instagram Reels to see how I’m doing – 1) Seven years of gratefulness 2) Things I never thought I’d be able to do after being diagnosed with avascular necrosis
Eight & Nine Years: Didn’t document an official update. But haven’t had any issues at all!! I did convince my hubby to get PRP done for his knee pain.
Ten Years: I am excited to ring in my decade anniversary by saying I’m still doing AMAZING!
Eleven Years: Sometimes ‘no update’ is the biggest update you can make!