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?
Oh, Jennifer, I feel your pain! I was on medication for osteopenia, then injections for a year, then an infusion last month. That infusion had some very nasty side effects, but I got through it. Not fun at all the things we have to go through. Hang in there, friend!
Thanks Cathy
There is nothing wrong with the sweater as long as it soft and cozy – a perfect stay at home, sweatpants and sweater bliss. I totally empathize with your plight I have been testing for some sort of autoimmune disease for over a year – blood tests galore, spinal tap, multiple MRIs: four brain scans, two cervical scans, two thoracic, one lumbar, gait analysis, EMGs I call these torture tests and have not been able to finish the two that I tried. So far, neurologists are flummoxed and can’t explain my muscle tightness and spasms only on the right side and the pain which goes from almost nothing to me crying. Best of luck. Keep moving. Know that you are sharing with a kind community.
This community is the BEST!
I had the great misfortune of breaking my hip at 59. And it wasn’t even from some exotic skydiving/parasailing/rock climbing adventure that would have at least made for a good story. Bottom line, 4 years later and I’ve had no other injuries, I’m in better shape, stronger, and paying much more attention to my health. Endocrinologist played a vital role as did my own refusal to give up. Must admit, I still suffer from fear of falling.
I share your concern about falls. I tripped walking into my grandson’s basketball game last winter, breaking both my hands. Ugh! Fortunately I didn’t need surgery and recovered. But my doctor warned me about falling again on the weaker bones. So, we just moved into a ranch from our 2 story of 35 years. And I’m careful about how I walk.
Ouch! That sounds So painful, I’m sorry.
This post is so relevant about bone density. I was put on a medication that gave me horrible acid reflux. I just quit taking it. My Arthritis Dr. Recommended an infusion that has no side effects so I have an appointment to discuss this with my primary care Doctor. Has anyone heard of this? Worrying about falling is real!
If it’s Reclast, that’s what my husband had. His results were dramatic body aches and pains for over a week but it’s supposed to help. They said his reaction happens about 30% of the time.
I can imagine your doctor would warn about the tripping hazards of floor mats and area carpets.
One thing we should all be aware of as we age is regular eye checkups and having eye checkups in between annual appointments if something seems off. This is how falls happen, too, with new changes in our field of vision and depth perception. Sometimes these changes are sudden.
Sigh.
I tripped because I was getting used to new multifocal glasses and not looking down. 🥴
I wish I could just give you a big hug. We’re the same age, have a similar style, and I’m feeling many of the same feelings you are! I’m sorry for what you’re going through, and want to thank you for being so honest and relatable!
Thanks for being in this with me. It is comforting to have such a great community to share this with. xo
I have just started taking Fosamax (alendrate) which I’ve tried to avoid for years by exercising and eating loads of cottage cheese etc. I was dreading it but after 6 weeks I am not noticing any side effects. The hardest thing is waiting 30 minutes after taking the pill before getting to have my morning coffee! I probably should have started taking Fosamax earlier.
Thank you for sharing your experience Kate. I’ll ask her about it.
I bought a reasonably large Ruggable for an area in my lakehouse. The idea was to cover the carpet where kids run through with sandy feet. It just didn’t look right there, so we moved it to the kitchen. Bought a $20 Costco rug that does the trick instead. I have had the Ruggable washed once – it is too big for a conventional, in-home machine, so I had it washed in a commercial machine – and I am concerned that it really isn’t all that washable. It is great to stand on, but the spots are bothering me and I think once you wash a rug if the spots don’t come out, they are there permanently.
Totally feeling this subject this morning. Just returned from a trip to Venice that turned into a medical downward spiral. Any fall puts us one step closer to the nursing home. I like you that you are so proactive about your health. Thanks for sharing.
I so sorry about your medical challenges on your trip. I keep telling my husband that’s why we need to travel now! The earlier the better.
Always my motto! Just stay away from Venice. Not for the fragile.
Hi Jennifer, I hope this week is a better week. I really enjoy reading your posts you bring up all kinds of various topics that are important and sometimes in my case I forget about. My sister was talking about the DEXA scan not long ago, she is pushing to have one done and the doctor is not supportive. She is younger than me and has scoliosis, which requires attention. We share the same doctor and I have had bone density tests (can’t remember the last one I had). but never heard of DEXA. Thank you for the reminder! I must look into getting the test done. As for mobile phones – always a bone of contention between my husband and I, the more “upgrades” the more complicated they have become. I feel the frustration. Anyway, thank you for the post today and always. BTW – lovely sweater!
I love your sweater. Just the fact that it’s handmade gives it a special spark.
Thanks ♥️
Instead of prescription medication for your bone loss which has significant side effects, Check out Algae-Cal supplements. I have been taking it for several years and have had an increase in bone density every year since I started on it. My doctor is very pleased and tells me to keep it up!😊
Thank you for reminding us about bone loss and falls. I had heard the same thing about falls and the hip: it can set you on a whole new downward trend. I am very small boned, and I know that increases my risk because frankly, I don’t get a lot of “bone build” from walking because I don’t weigh enough for it to be a very “weight bearing” experience. I have done weight lifting in the past but need to get back to it. I have been on Prolia for 2 years. And, my hubby is now on blood thinner (Eliquis) for life (after 2 episodes of blood clot in his lungs within 8 months) and he has to be very careful about falls also. As he often remarks: “getting old is not for sissies”.
It sure keeps does, Sheila
Jennifer, I like the gray cardigan! As one who has toiled over a project for way too long, and then been disappointed in the finished product, I can empathize with your dissatisfaction. So maybe an outside opinion will help your feelings of disillusionment. As a senior citizen AND a knitter, I encourage you to wear it a while. It is a lovely look and a very positive use of time. Perhaps you’ll grow to love it.
Thanks Carolyn. It just occurred to me, I am a senior citizen. Wow. Funny how I’ve never considered that word.
I was nodding along to the saga of your osteo issues. Same here – major change in my bone density (and not in a good way), many tubes of blood for work-up, upcoming appt for medication. Meanwhile, doctor’s advice …”don’t fall!”
Jennifer,
I like the “grandpa” sweater you knitted. It doesn’t look as bad as you think it does.
Just an FYI…and I am sure you are aware, the rug in the kitchen looks great, but it is a fall hazard. And, you were just writing about bone density and not tripping. Please, don’t trip on that rug!
Love your blog!
Lisa P.
That never occurred to me. We have lots of rugs. Oh oh
I have ruggable rugs too and found that they work best if I put them over the thinnest pad they offer. I originally bought a thicker pad, thinking it would be softer, but found myself tripping over it all the time….
Great tip. Mine has its own rubber backing so it’s very, very thin
Good for you for following up with a specialist, Jennifer! I get bone density scans regularly because my mom took medication for years for osteoporosis. It’s sobering and one more reminder that “getting old is not for sissies,” as a friend of mine would say.
So sorry about the sweater outcome! I am a beginning knitter, but an experienced sewist. There have been plenty of times when a lot of effort resulted in a garment that was just- meh.
I really appreciate that you share about life issues as well as fashion and beauty. All of it is part of a well-styled life! It’s one of the reasons your blog is my favorite.
I’m schedule for a DEXA scan next month. NOT looking forward to that at all, not because it’s unpleasant, it’s dreading the results.
Oy vey. I so appreciate your wit and humor indire straights. My theory is that the AI is collecting all of our phone and life data and turning it into unrecognizable inconvenience strategy. Vigilance helps. I’ve had 4 knee surgeries with recon and bone grafts, screws and staples. Totally get your distress. Also just cleaned out some of my mom’s old clothing that I hadn’t wanted to donate right after we lost her… Our AI data seems connected. And all we want are comfortable clothes and shoes to wear to our medical appts in retirement😆
🤣