What Could Go Wrong? Well, Let Me Tell You
Old Bones
It started with my hips. My latest DEXA scan showed a sharp drop in bone density over the last three years. It was dramatic enough that my primary care doctor messaged me immediately: “It’s time for medication.”
That felt abrupt, especially since the report still placed me in the osteopenia category. But I’ve been around long enough to know when something’s above my pay grade, so I asked for a referral to an endocrinologist.
I’m very glad I did.
She spent over an hour with me, asking questions that spanned everything from my thyroid medication to the Flonase allergy spray I’ve been casually squirting up my nose for years. (Turns out even that can affect bone density). While the DEXA said osteopenia, she took one look at my chart, including the time I cracked my femur in two places from a not-very-impressive fall ten years ago, and moved me directly into the osteoporosis category. Apparently, your bones don’t care how old the injury is or how graceful the fall might’ve been.
I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M SMILING BECAUSE I WAS IN AGONY…NOTICE THE BLUE STRIPE IN MY HAIR 🤣
We talked about everything that could be contributing to the loss and how to slow it down. Pilates got a gold star. Weight-bearing exercise is at the top of the list. She wasn’t convinced I needed to lift weights, but I am. I asked about wearing a weighted vest on walks, and she quickly shot that down. She wants me to be very, very careful. Sheesh.
Then came the balance talk. Not the emotional kind…the “don’t fall and break something” kind. According to her, the biggest danger now isn’t the bone loss itself, but what happens if I trip. Apparently, hip fractures in older adults often lead to a rapid decline. Some never regain independence, and many don’t survive two years. That part landed.
She ordered what felt like every lab test under the sun…most of which I’d never heard of…and said we’d regroup once she’s had time to sort through it all.
I left her office feeling slightly stunned and a little fragile. Which I suspect was her intent.
And in the perfect twist of midlife irony, I caught my sneaker on the edge of the carpet while walking down the stairs. Luckily, I had one hand on the railing. There’s nothing like nearly face-planting after a fall-prevention lecture to keep things humbling.
New Phone
As if the bone scan wasn’t enough of a reality check, I also got a new phone. What was meant to be a simple upgrade turned into a full-blown reckoning.
The new iOS looked nothing like my old one. Icons had moved, apps behaved strangely, and basic settings I use every day had vanished into mysterious layers of menus. It looked like a phone, but it may as well have been a remote control from another planet.
I’ve used an iPhone for years, so I assumed I’d know my way around. But this time, I felt completely out of my depth. After several frustrating hours, I gave up and took it back to the store.
The very kind (and very young) man helping me gently explained that once I updated my old phone, it would’ve looked and worked almost exactly like the new one. Yikes.
So I kept the phone, and I’m pushing my way through it, one small annoyance at a time. Every app logged me out, and it refuses to stay connected to my home Wi-Fi. Every time I get in the car, it randomly blasts the audiobook “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning,” which I finished over a year ago. Poetic or creepy?
Grandpa Sweater
I finally finished the gray cardigan I started knitting last year. It’s oversized, plain, and every bit as thrilling as that sounds. No awards were won for the knitting skills used nor the results. I’ve been calling it my grandpa sweater, because honestly, that’s who it looks like it was made for. It may end up as my cozy “inside sweater,” and that’s just fine. It needs buttons, which I may or may not get around to sewing on.
I wanted something calm and meditative…and that’s exactly what I got. The process was soothing. The result? A little dull, but dependable.
Now I’m wishing I hadn’t left my cable sweater project back in Vancouver. That one has texture, movement, and enough complexity to keep things interesting. I think I’m craving that kind of creative energy again with something that keeps me engaged and curious about what’s coming next.
Nose Cream Update
In slightly more encouraging news, I think the red spot on my nose is starting to fade. Emphasis on think. I followed the dermatologist’s directions (or so I thought), dabbed on the cream for four days, then patiently waited for… something. A reaction. A change. Any sign that it was working.
Nothing happened. So I kept waiting. Then one morning, I spotted a faint bit of flaking and thought, “Aha! Progress.”
Naturally, that’s when I double-checked the instructions. Turns out I was supposed to use it for seven days, not four, before letting it rest and watching for signs of life. So now I may need to start the whole process over once my skin calms down. Because apparently, even prescription creams come with a learning curve in midlife.
The good news? It’s only my nose. The bad news? It’s my nose.
Round Peg in a Square Hole
In other small-but-satisfying wins, I finally found a round rug that works in our oddly shaped kitchen, which is technically triangular, with odd square angles. It’s not exactly an easy space to fit, but this one slipped right in and softened things up, just like I hoped.
The room needed a rug, and this one did the job. Bonus: it’s machine washable and dryable. Practical and unfussy, which is just how I’m needing things these days.
It wasn’t the easiest week, but somehow, in between the medical charts and rogue audiobooks, I finished a sweater, found a rug that fits, and didn’t fall down the stairs. I’m calling it a win.
What little victories are you counting right now and when was your last bone density test?
This is about your Grandpa Sweater. I did agree with your opinion. I think it looks lush and comforting. I can see you wearing this over a camisole and looking quite elegant. What could make it are the buttons you select. Some beautifully elegant ones could totally transform the vibe. Good luck and thanks for sharing. Also, your quality of work is great. It looks so much better than what is available for purchase these days.
I was thinking silver or pearl
And add a pretty brooch! I love the sweater, it looks very classic to me. You did
a great job knitting it!
Hi Jennifer- I won’t comment on the bone density as not an expert and suspect you will get more advice than perhaps you want/need. Except to say I’m glad your dr. is so on top of it. As for the sweater, it’s actually really ni.ce. IMHO I think it could use a very good blocking (did you block or steam it?) and some really nice nacre or pearlized buttons – in a colour like a light mauve/purple that will pick up the colour of a camisole underneath it? My 2 cents. Thank you for all your work on the blog -I so enjoy it.
I haven’t blocked it yet. I love your button suggestion!
Wow, Jennifer, you had quite the week! One of my best friends broke a hip in 2021 and has pretty much come back to normal with an incredible amount of hard work. She has learned many lessons about bones and habits. First, good shoes with backs (I almost did a header down the stairs myself when my shoe flew off). Second, and most important: prevention. She credits her previous yoga balance work with her recovery. I do a silver sneakers-type class where you lift light weights continuously for an hour to music, and it’s super fun and has done me a world of good with no real possibility of serious injury. In fact, I would say lifting light weights has done me more good than any exercise I do besides walking. In addition to yoga, I also balance on one foot while brushing my teeth, waiting in line, etc. I try to see how long I can hold my leg up. I’m currently on a pretty strict eating plan to maintain a lot of weight loss, and it’s a struggle as a vegetarian to get in my protein. I’ve started logging what I eat into a free app to make sure that, even on a low calorie diet, I’m getting enough. I’ve learned that higher protein cottage cottage cheese (Good Culture brand) is my best friend, and that it’s often easy to add extra egg whites to morning breakfast or hard boiled into salads. Best of luck on your journey, and keep us posted. What you are doing with these posts is valuable.
I’m upping my protein too and it’s hard to get as much as they say we need!
This week I am waiting to move back into my “restored” home. How it will all get done I do not know. The phase manager informed us they were going to clean the entire house not just affected areas. Well, they dirtied the entire house ( dust inches thick and chairs covered in white pieces of a substance “they do not know anything about”). Surprisingly, my husband is taking all of this very well…said I should buy the 315.00 shoes if they fit. They did not. Get the jeans that are 1/2 of a car payment. Oh he is ok! I am using my cane bcz the entrance to the B&B goes straight down. Being displaced has left me without an anchor but I still have my jar of peanut butter until I move back home. Thank you very much for your reply. PS I take calcium pills with Vit D and my bones are ok-not great but ok. Have fallen and have had concussions from teen years. Now I have a mild form of Parkinson ….. good luck to you and your bones … Susan
Hang in there Susan! xo
Hi, Jennifer, as a fellow knitter, I admire your excellent craftswomanship. I’ve felt that same disappointment when an item we’ve worked on doesn’t turn out the way we wanted. I stick to knitting shawls and hats now after one too many garment fails! Love your newsletter and always look forward to your posts.
Ageing is not for the meek. Seems the older we get the body has ways to keep us in line. As for your grandpa sweater, I think less is more. To maybe “jazz” it up, you could sew individual pearl beads on the yoke and sew some pearl like buttons on or maybe some rhinestones would work as well although maybe too much glitz for everyday. As an old hippie I say keep on keepin on.
Margaret
lol, I love the pearl idea!
Nice knitting job on the sweater, even though it’s not quite what you were hoping for. I see it with jeans and a colorful top (red maybe) underneath and of course the buttons. Good luck figuring out how you will wear it. So many friends I know have osteporosis and are dealing with annual or biannual injections or infusions for treatment. At 72, I feel fortunate that my bone scans have all been normal. Maybe it’s genetic? I do exercises every other day to keep my core and glutes strong to prevent issues with lumbar arthritis and scoliosis. I think it helps prevent falls also. I keep reading that we should be doing balance exercises daily……like standing on one leg etc. I wish you the good luck in staying strong and avoiding falls!
I love the Grandpa sweater. It looks like a sweater that one would wear on a easy,cold,book reading day.
That’s how I picture it being worn. Or wearing on a chilly day of knitting 😉
Hang in there, Jennifer. Just speedbumps in this game of life.
Please know how much your contributions mean to us, your tribe.
We love you! Stay well and have a great week.
Thanks Melissa!!
I now have osteoporosis, and it does cause me to be fragile and self protective when walking. Yoga seems to be my go to these days. I still like to be vibrant and pretty, but I am realizing my vulnerabilities. Wear what you like and have confidence!
Hi Jennifer, I feel your pain. I am on Prolia for my osteoporosis, but also must take Pantoprazole for acid reflux, which is basically like driving with feet on the gas and the brake at the same time.
They are probably going to recommend Prolia for you, too. Read everything twice because once you start, you are on it forever and there definitely are concerns about it.
Lastly, I know area rugs look great, but they are trip hazards. Stay safe & good luck! Jo
She did mention that! Oh wow, the fun begins.
I loved the honesty of this blog! We all have had a day like you had but it is good to hear it from a blogger. I will have to check with my primary physician about flonase and bone density. I also use it regularly because she told me to use it. Thank you for your blogs!
My primary care doctor put me on the Flonase too!
🤗Here’s a hug – you need it! I have osteopenia and was prescribed Boniva last Spring. It is now routine to hold onto railings no matter what. I love your ruggable and your granddad cardigan looks inviting!!!
You’re so sweet, thanks. It was a rough week for sure.
I love your “grandpa” sweater! Hope all goes well when you get test results back.
Good Morning Jennifer, another great Monday post. If it makes you feel any better, my neighbor had the same experience with her new phone. She spent hours at the store getting help. I’m a year older than you and I have a big fear of falling. I have balance issues, and I hate to add to the Dr’s warnings, but …. I’ve been wanting to get one of those rugs for a long time, but I’m afraid I’ll trip over it. Does it lay securely to the floor? It’s beautiful, by the way.
It’s very thin and close to the floor
Gosh, I’m reading this post and feeling every disappointment you experienced this week. Good for you to seek the help of an endo doc and go over what your scan means for your body.
Sending support and a hug your way. Growing old is for the privileged few and you’ve got this ❤️
Jennifer – You are so funny! I can relate to everything you said, including tripping after your falling lecture. That is so me! I have an orthopedist on speed dial. Love the new rug, but make sure it is secure and not a trip hazard. Ah, the joys of aging.
I’m sorry for your health challenges. Midlife does pack a punch sometimes. I’m interested to know if your doctor advised you to stop using Flonase. I use it too and am a risk of osteoporosis because of family history, but my doctor hasn’t recommended a scan yet. I wasn’t aware Flonase impacted bone loss.
She mentioned the connection, so I have stopped on my own.
When I read this post, it reminded me of what my dad always said..’Whoever called these the Golden Years, hasn’t been here!’ I also have osteopenia and an old-fashioned doctor told me something years ago. If you drink soda, STOP! The phosphorus in it leaches calcium from bones. My Dexa numbers have remained stable for a long time, although still in the Osteopenia range.
I did not know that!
I love the black dress and you will look absolutely beautiful in it!
Kim
Wait until you are 84!
LOL, I bet!