Bad Knees Blog - take 17: Dreaming of Pittsburgh

It's almost 10 p.m. Nearly two months have passed since I started wearing "the brace", tomorrow will mark exactly one month since I got the stem cell treatment, I've had two weeks (12 days) of physical therapy and I'll be seeing my doctor in Pittsburgh in 17 hours, and I still don't know if it's working. I know I have a lot less pain. I know I'm stronger, but 12 hours of exercise and stretching will do that. I know that I move better and am more flexible. Still, I don't know if even one little cell has begun to make more.

I shouldn't whine. The literature says it takes six to twelve months to get significant improvement, so I know intellectually that it's too early to judge, but it's hard. If I had chosen a knee replacement, I'd be on the mend. I'd be miserable, but the improvements would come in chunks. I might end up like my friend from Ireland -- in as much pain as ever and getting worse. Or I might end up being ready to hike to the summit of Mount Marci by July. It's a crap shoot.

Anyway, I wait. I do everything I'm told and stay positive, because I believe this will pay off and, at least, postpone those titanium knees for another decade or so. My wife waits too. The hiking poles and backpacks haven't been put away just yet.

So, my friends, I will keep you posted on any new, earth shattering developments, and the moment I know something worth sharing, I'll share. For now, I'm going to bed to dream of Pittsburgh.