These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Bone and groans

After work today I ran over to the hospital and had a couple tests done, a mammogram and a bone density test.

The booby squeeze was unremarkable. Nothing of note, but the official report will come later. They are sending for the previous report from Albuquerque, and then, of course, the radiologist has to do the official read. I'm not worried. I am very glad it is done. It wasn't as awful as some previous ones, but those blasted things can never be called "comfortable," can they, girls? gah. Double gah. Again, I'm glad it's over, and I don't have to worry about this for a long time now.

The bone density was uneventful as well. They read three areas, hip, spine and wrist. All three read a little low, but not dangerously. My hip and wrist were actually in the low range of normal. My spine was in the range that is called "osteopenia," meaning the bones are lower density, but not osteoporosis. I figured the spine would be worst, because I have scoliosis (curvature) and I know it has been getting gradually more pronounced. Even so, the tech indicated that the report will be fully read and interpreted and results to me and my doctor in a few weeks. She said that for my age, it seemed "OK."

The most surprising thing was that I'm shorter than I thought, by nearly two inches! At first, it kinda panicked me, as I thought of osteoporosis. Then, within a few seconds I realized that since the scoliosis is progressing, that will make me shorter over time. I'm guessing that the lessened height is probably a combination of scoliosis and osteopenia. The really concerning thing to me about the height loss is that it make my weight seem that much more psi! Damn! I can't catch a break, I lose a few pounds, and I find out the weight distribution over my frame is no better than before! Ratzerfratzers!

Still, altogether, things are not bad with my body, my health. I still need to have lab work done, but I need to remember to fast and stop at the hospital on my way to work one day. This week is not a good one for that, but I think I can get it done next week. I'm not overly concerned about that, either.

All in all, everything is about as expected for my age. Of course, the other side of that coin is .... growing old is not for the faint of heart, but if you keep a smile on your face, it confuses the hell out of everyone!!

13 comments:

  1. Ratzerfratzers!

    A wonderful word! May I borrow it someday?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think the fact that you lost 2 inches in height is funny; that is what happened to me last year and I had a hard time believing it. And, actually it was like 2 1/2 inches. I went from 5'4" to 5' 1 1/2 inches and of course then the weight thing just makes you nuts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes, of course, Merikay!! Use it often! (BTW, my fee is just a nickle a pop!! LOL!)

    Moni, I was really surprised! I didn't even think about being shorter! I was 5'6-3/4". I knew I was a bit shorter a few years ago, but I think I was just a little under 5'6-1/2'. Not a big deal. But today I was 5'4-3/4", or as she said, "It's a little over, but let's call it 5'4-3/4." Now if I were as petite in width as I am in height, I'd be very happy! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Another two things we have in common...scoliosis and osteopenia. LOL@

    ReplyDelete
  5. Donna. twins separated at birth? Oh, and separated by a few years, too!! LOL, no, I guess not twins but many parallels, nevertheless!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I guess it happens to all of us. I was visiting my mother with my brothers in her nursing home almost two years ago, and my younger brother commented..Wow, you've shrunk! My mother's comment was, "I don't know if you've shrunk, but all three of you have gotten wider!" Ugh!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's a rare person that doesn't experience it with age, but isn't it funny that we don't notice it ourselves? You'd think clothes would fit differently. Oh, wait, they do!! I'd quit buying "tall" without realizing it! I've been buying "regular" or "medium" for a couple years or even more, and it didn't even register!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is kind of strange but one of my more senior blogging buddies had a Bells Palsy episode recently. Half his face has fallen, sort of parlyzed. So, yes, growing old isn't for the faint of heart. Good news is that it should heal spontaneously, but if it doesn't, "smile surgery" is an option. Smile surgery, now that would keep a smile on your face, but you're right, it would be confusing to see (I'd never heard of smile surgery until I looked up Bells Palsy this past week).

    ReplyDelete
  9. Is that why the cuffs of my pants are starting to drag on the ground? OMG, If I don't loose some weight, I'm going to be square.

    ReplyDelete
  10. All we can do is hang in there because the alternative is bad.

    I've lost an inch and a half in hieght. Time has a way of wearing us down.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been on the doctor tour getting the same tests lately. I actually don't have osteopenia. My bones are in great shape as far as density goes. I have lost nearly an inch in height. Mine is due to lumbar and cervical stenosis. I also have scoliosis. I am currently fighting another set back of pain all down the left side. This getting old stuff can really set you back at times.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been a bad blogging friend since I arrived home. I don't know what I've been doing, but reading blogs and blogging have been on a back burner.

    Glad to hear your tests were positive for good health. When I had a bone density test because I had broken two bones in two years this was the response of the tech: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is that you don't have ostoporosis. The bad news is that you are clumsy."

    Hope you are doing well. I plan to be a better friend in the days to come. I am thankful for FB though and keep tabs on you there.

    ~hippo hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dave, I rather like to do things that throw people off, not to be mean (well, OK, a little), but because doing so makes people shift out of the rut for a moment or two. That Bell's Palsy is weird stuff, isn't it? I worked for an ENT doc for many years, saw several cases of it.

    MM, interesting wake up call!!

    Linda, boy! That's a fact!!

    RET, good for you!! And yes, getting old isn't always fun. I enjoy many aspects, such as being mature enough and self-confident enough to dress as I wish, comfortable before fashionable, while not caring a hoot about what others think; having the sagacity that comes with age; and grandkids!!!

    HC, LOL! What does one say to that? "I'm glad you're clumsy"??? You know you're welcome here, on a daily basis or however it happens!

    ReplyDelete

If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!