I absolutely agree with you 100% about how a setback can happen at any point in your hair journey, related to any action or process. I am sure of one thing regarding your specific journey.
For each iteration, or re-do, your knowledge about your specific hair deepened and expanded, right? I am sure that you will not make the same mistakes again, or allow the same problematic processes to be done to your hair.
Although you say you've been at 'apl for the 11tteenth time', your words not mine, every time you get back to this length, I am sure the quality and the health of the hair is more magnificent than before, right? You have either more thickness, less broken hair, darker hair color, deeper shine etc. Every round of hair growth, getting back to that APL length, produces a head of hair that is even better than the last time.
It's a process, like anything else. That knowledge and wisdom that you have garnered over each iteration cannot be taken from you. Not only that, the process itself can be extrapolated and applied to other life situations that have nothing to do with hair. Or, this process of problem solving can encompass the hair and so many other aspects of our lives.
Therefore,
BRAVO to you for sticking with it, even if it's the 11teenth time!
That takes courage, persistence and belief in oneself. All of those are remarkable traits to have and to hone.