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First few days

I didn't know what to expect for the first three days. I heard of people having immediate relief. I heard of other having greater inflammation in their joints, sometimes lasting for a few weeks.

Our drive home was 650kms. So with some stops, we left LaCombe, Alberta  just before 11am and got home to Prince Albert,  Saskatchewan at 7pm. As mentioned in the previous blog, I  experienced some pain for which Tylenol was strong enough. However I was slow moving and each step seemed unstable. The first few stops for gas and meals I used my cane. In Battleford we stopped for gas and I didn't use my cane and as I stepped into the store I felt like I staggered and was awarded a strange stare by the gas station attendant.  I'm sure he thought I had been drinking. Sharon's car was very comfortable for travelling. I was able to recline the seat and turn the heated seats on low.

My recovery instructions stressed I am not to use any anti-inflammatory pills or lotion for four weeks. If there is swelling in the joints I can use heat to relieve but not ice.  For the first three days I'm to do very little - a good time to read and Netflix binge. I'm reading The Lilac  Girls by Martha Relly (an amazing book) and watching 13 Reasons Why on Netflix.

My second day I was moving much easier but still slow. The awkwardness I felt the previous day was gone. I was not feeling any pain in the joints (but I'm not using them either). Some tenderness in the injection sites in my knees and hip but it is minimal. I was allowed to take a shower today and removed the few bandages.

Third day. I am moving quicker but not up to my usual gait as yet. I was experiencing some discomfort in my left knee around the knee cap area. Occasionally twinges of pain - and short lived pain - would randomly occur in my knee. No pain in my ankle at all!  During the night I rolled over without any pain in my hips.  I know  it is too early to attribute this to the stem cells as yet, given all I have been doing it resting. My greatest discomfort on day 3 is the itchiness caused by the bandage on my lower back. Small welts developed where it was stuck to my skin. Day 4 I will start walking. 

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