Photo reference for a painting I am re-doing. I have a painting of Bruno hanging in my living area. A visitor was here a few days ago, and wanted to know how much I wanted for the painting. I told her it was not for sale, but I would be happy to paint another. So I will work on that while waiting to ride.
I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. I drew them, played with plastic figures of horses, rode carousel horses, even "rode" statues of horses. And occasionally I got to be around the real thing. I didn't start riding till I was thirty, when I could afford my own horse. I became much more physically active, and yes, had a lot of accidents. I had a very bad cycling accident when someone drove into me from behind, doing about 50 mph. The next year, I came off a young horse, and she proceeded to buck, with her hind feet pounding down on me. Neither of these incidents were fully addressed medically, so my right hip area has had a lot of abuse and not much care.
The past few years have been especially hard with pain, stiffness ... all of those arthritic symptoms. I have been seeing a yoga therapist who has helped immensely, and I will continue to see her. My physician sent me off to an orthopaedic surgeon who looked at the X-ray, did some manipulation and decided I needed a full hip replacement. He described the surgery and showed me the replacement joint. I went home and gave it some thought. I was totally unprepared to go through that surgery! I started to look for options, and found stem cell therapy. I researched it for several weeks, and then found a clinic near Vancouver that performs the procedure. Three weeks ago, I had the treatment - an autologous, adipose-derived stem cell and platelet-rich plasma injection into the joint area via ultrasound guidance. A few days ago, I had a follow-up injection of PRP. I must say ... so far, so good. I have less pain and more mobility. The hard part is not being able to ride. I suppose I could try, but I think it would be better for those stem cells to get better established in my hip joint. So here I sit, waiting impatiently ... I'll give those busy little cells another few days, and then carefully have a short and gentle ride.
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I am very curious to know how the treatment works out. In the Netherlands this stem cell treatment is not available, people go to Eastern Europe for this. It is considered a controversial treatment according to mainstream medicine over here. But it seems to me worth a try, in stead of a full replacement of the joint. I had an accident with injury to my knee 18 years ago, and the only treatment is knee replacement in the coming years. So I can know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteWe hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of stem cell therapy to delay a hip replacement but I hope it works for you. My Sweetie has had both hips replaced and done well with both (pain was gone almost immediately) - but it’s a big surgery and takes healing and physical therapy time after so I don’t blame you for waiting and trying other things. Wishing you the best and that you’ll be riding again soon (loved the photo of Bruno in the garden :).
ReplyDeleteWish you complete recovery so that you do not miss the joys of life. Stay active and fighting fit. And yes waiting to see the new portrait of Bruno.
ReplyDeletehopefully it works for you. medical science can do great things :)
ReplyDeletestems cells being used to treat MS is one of the newer treatments, but not offered here, and way too new to see if it works in the long run and you know the whole possibility of death thing puts me off of it lol
What an interesting post Kathryn!!! It's amazing what is available to us..only if
ReplyDeletewe sit down and research.... I will be praying that the follow up injection takes hold and you'll be feeling better. And definitely stay away from riding until they say ok....I would be afraid.... I look forward to seeing your next painting of Bruno!!!!! Take care, my friend!!!!
Dear Kathryn - I will certainly be praying that this stem cell thing will do the trick. It sounds to me like a wonderful alternative to surgery. Be careful friend when you ride. Keep me posted on this treatment. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI hope those stem cells are working for you Kat!!
ReplyDeletelove
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