I’m not usually on the leading edge of technology; and some may argue that stem cell research has been around quite a while now. But, to be perfectly truthful about it, I was in the dark about the whole stem cell thing. Yes, I have heard of it, but I admit that I was caught by surprise when it was suggested that I try it for some issues I am having with my knees.
Those of you who have been with me for a while might remember that I ruptured my right quad tendon seven years ago. It was pretty ugly; I was out of town teaching at a hospital where my brother is on staff and we were in the process of installing a new bed for our youngest brother, Ken. Apparently, I slipped on a piece of plastic, but the result was that when I regained consciousness, I found myself looking up at the sky. Docs at the hospital where I teach confirmed that it was a rather serious injury.
Nine days later I had surgery for the repair and the complete recovery was almost two years. Case closed, or so I thought. But for the last year or so, I have been having some trouble with pain in my left knee. Then the right started to bother me as well. To cut to the chase, I had an MRI several weeks ago and was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in each knee. Nothing horrible, but undoubtedly the result of the trauma seven years ago and how my body has adjusted since then to the injury.
I couldn’t even fathom two more knee surgeries and friends of mine suggested that I consider a stem cell transplant. So I got in touch the the only doctor in Indiana who works in certain areas of stem cell technology and after consultation, he thought I was an ideal candidate. Last Tuesday was the day.
Now I should say that most folks purchase donor cells, but the chance of success goes up by using my own cells. So I went through the harvesting procedure which was not a walk in the park! After incisions in my back near my spine, they went in similar to what happens during liposuction and thirty or forty minutes later, the most uncomfortable part was over. Afterward, it was fascinating to hear about cleansing, spinning, filtering and finally injecting clean stem cells back into my body.
In my case, both knees were injected and it was also suggested that I receive an infusion as well. Kind of a one-two punch. Inject my knees and then flood my body with tens of millions of cells to hunt down and fix any secondary things that I may be suffering from. They thought it may help my ankles, minor shoulder stuff and even help my auto immune system.
In fact, they used words like rejuvenation, and how good I would feel within several months. They even thought that I would see improvement by the end of this week and they were correct. My right knee is significantly less painful and my left knee, which was much worse, feels slightly better. The medical team reminded me that the goal is not to prevent further deterioration. It is to regenerate, actually repair, grow new cells in problem areas and even, in most cases, increase bone density, which is certainly something that the docs would like to see.
Probably one of the most interesting things I learned is that our children and presumably, grandchildren, will be able to use my stored cells in the event they would need treatment. That was a big bonus as far as I was concerned. I would go through the harvest procedure again if necessary, but it wasn’t something that I would want to see Janet or one of our children go through. Now that will be unnecessary. We decided to also send cells to a lab and storage facility to “bank” them indefinitely. The only downside to the whole thing is that Medicare won’t cover it. So it ended up being completely a private pay experience. Still, well worth it.
When I hear words such as regeneration or rejuvenation, I can’t help but be drawn to the Bible. After all, the docs said that receiving stem cell treatment was almost like getting a “do-over” and in my book that sounds a lot like being “born again.” Where have we heard that before! I admit that I am looking forward to the next 4-6 months to see how I feel and what changes I perceive in myself.
People I know who have gone through a similar procedure, at least the injection part, have had significant success. Energy levels go up, they are more vitalized and are less tired. Only time will tell if it works as well for me.
In the meantime, our verse for tonight is from the prophet Isaiah, who reminds us in Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Those are the things that every believer experiences when they accept Jesus as Lord and Savior; and are then indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Once again, I can see the hopeful parallels between being flooded with life giving stem cells and the reality of being being filled with the Holy Spirit.
My encouragement this evening is that God wants everyone to accept His Son as Lord and Savior. That means that it is God’s desire that we would all be filled with the life giving Holy Spirit. In the book of Revelation, we are told that God will make all things new. My prayer is that this procedure will be successful and that I will feel even more alive than I do already. My prayer for you is the same – that your life with the Holy Spirit will be more than you could ever imagine! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…