Bad Knees Blog- take 12: Sowing the Seeds

After the geological exploration of my hipbones, Cindy and I went to lunch. One of the reassuring moments of this experience was when I was told I'd be able to leave after the stem cell harvest to get a bite to eat. Granted, my comfort was fueled by valium and oxycodone, but I was steady, hungry, and good to go. We had Thai soup bowls with wonton (and it was good), went back to the hotel to read the paper, then to the clinic for "the easy part", the stem cell injections. My little friends had spent their three hour lunch in a stem cell spa and spiritual retreat center where they were massaged, oxygenated, rejuvenated, and generally enlightened.

I walked into the treatment room, and there they were, pulsing, glowing, chanting, speaking in tongues from a syringe on the table. I think one actually winked at me.

Next to the golden syringe was a dose of lidocaine, and half a dozen empty 40 cc syringes.

I climbed up on the table, stretched out on my back, and the assistant draped my leg over a vertical rigid cushion. It looked a bit like this /|\. The peak is my kneecap.

The doctor came in, put on his lead apron, snapped the rubber gloves into place, and said, "little pinch."

One of the things I liked about this whole process was how I was always able to watch whichever monitor the doctor was using. Today's show was by x-ray.

Scattered throughout my knee joint were dark pockets that represented fluid. As each one was drained, the dark spot deflated and disappeared. I watched the needles enter, poke, probe and move on to the next spot. Dr. Lieber tried one area, said, "Nope, nothing there," then went on to the next and the next. It was like acupuncture with bigger, more painful needles. Finally, the doctor announced "Good and dry."

The needle tips were left in, and one by one, the stem cell syringe was attached to each and the magical fluid directed carefully into the joint. It was, all in all, the most painful part of the process, and the most satisfying. I stayed there, my knee immobile up on that cushion, for the next fifteen minutes while the cells adhered to the bone. Then, I was done. I'd spend the next day and a half on crutches and return for two more small procedures on Wednesday, but for now, I was ready for a good burger, a couple pills, and a nap.