What about it...bone time again...

         It was time for the annual Wellness Visit. Doctors do annual Wellness Visits that are not really 'exams'. For me that entails a fasting lab, and a short visit with the nurse who does the height-weight and blood pressure thing along with the long questionnaire designed to see how your ADL [activities of daily living] are getting along. 

There was a review of medications [right now, none for me] and a review of family history. 

The subject of osteoporosis came up and I came clean that I quit the meds after 2 months and didn't notify anyone. 

I won't be due then for another bone scan until 2025 which is fine with me. The Ibandronate made me so sick with headaches and nausea for 3 weeks after each monthly dose. On the 4th week before taking the med again, I felt pretty normal. 

[If I am not taking the medicine for Osteoporosis, the insurance won't pay for a scan except every two years.]

I have a history of sensitivity to medications. But I kept trying. After 3 strikes, I'd like to call it quits for the moment. 

I'm not in pain, I haven't broken anything, I even got run over by an E-bike and a woman and I came out with just a bruise.

We read the lab test, she asked how I am doing with being a caregiver.

------>>> 

We discussed the bone stuff. 

Here we are again. 

Discussing bone numbers. We discussed the 3 meds I've tried and not gotten along with. 

Of course Prolia was mentioned again. Pretty much because my medication choice has run out of options. 

I told Ann "forget it". 
She agreed that it was my choice ultimately. Then she discussed my results from last year once more. She urged me to call Emily and talk to her. [Emily is an Endocrinologist]

Her biggest point was again to point out to my that my LS [Lower Lumbar spine] scored a -4.8. The scale for Osteoporosis only goes to -5. Ann said she never had a patient with such um, alarming numbers.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
I scored High!
Go Big Or Go Home!

Yet here we are.

I will call Emily's office and either make and appointment or talk with her via phone. 

My biggest concern with Prolia is that it may play badly with me. 

I've reacted terribly to all the bone meds so far. What happens if I start to have hypocalcemia with a 6 month shot in my system? I've had that before with the first med.  It is a critical emergency if that happens. Not all people have it happen, though. 

Prevention of hypocalcemia and by more lab tests. Yum, who doesn't enjoy a needle poke? Another place to monitor is the kidneys. Rut Roh. My kidneys have been flagged, so there is that. 

For 3 years they have been in the low normal range and now have dipped into the hmmm, range.

So what happens if my kidney numbers get worse with the meds? Um? Back to a med that caused me so much pain?

The really fun thing about aging is this. Your body ages, parts start to break down whether we like it or not. Skin gets wrinkly, joints get stiff, ... If only we were like old classic cars that could be rehabbed.

My lower spine got rusty. Unfortunately there is no body shop for spines. 

The issues with where the awful numbers are lies in my lower spine which supports by body weight and helps support my hips and legs. Eventually one way or another there will be a compression fracture in the low back. 

Eventually that causes a domino effect of compression fractures. 

It will happen with or without the medication in my opinion, since at this stage the meds can only maintain me at that low score. 

So I ask. What am I preventing? 

The bottom line is, I am not going to give up Hope. 

I found an inspiration just the other day from one of my older cousins. How much older? I'm not sure. She was a teen when I was a little kid.

I grabbed this from her FB page:

You are seeing it right. She is in Mongolia living with a family and learning to hunt with an Eagle from a Mongolian pony.

I would love to grow up just like her!

An Office Visit

I had another visit with the Endocrinologist. Actually, it was a good visit as far as doctor office visits go. I am beginning to think that health providers in my part of WI are exceptional in attitude and demeanor.

The nurse 'Jackie' put me at ease when she took my weight and brought up my chart. When she took my blood pressure ---> it was low normal. This is NOT what generally happens in any office visit. She commented that White Coat Syndrome exists but at the same time doctors sort of poo-poo it. 

Dr. Bone Doctor insisted I call her Emily. See? She wasn't so high and mighty and full of bluster at all. She and I talked about my tests which well, were much the same as they were 2 years ago. I know I've said I wouldn't try anything after reading all about these medication side effects. One of the subjects of discussion was in particular my lumbar spinal column. 

Decisions, decisions. However, I am going to give medications one more chance. One of the biggest challenges to taking medications is Fear of potential side effects. Hey, I am one of those for sure. You can read about horrid side effects and even know those who suffered from it. But...IF I can improve the loss of bone around my spinal cord with meds? I am willing to try.

Other reasons for not taking or resisting meds: 
Cost
[Yikes, this could be a whole article in itself]

Misunderstanding
[I understand how it works and what it is supposed to do]

Too many meds
[not me, this would be the only med I take compared to the 14 ones that hubby takes]

Lack of symptoms 
[I have absolutely NO symptoms. I do have back pain, but other than that? Nothing]

Mistrust 
[This is huge. Big Pharma -- only out to make a buck!]

Worry 
[Thoughts like --> I will NOT take this for the rest of my life!]

Depression 
[Hey, it is depressing to think after all my life that I may have to take something!]

Emily and I went over my concerns and we set up a plan of action. See? She and those I've dealt with in my town aren't boorish at all. They communicate with their patients.

I am going to try a med called Boniva. It works by slowing bone loss. Now, I've tried two kinds of versions of this before. But I'm willing to try once more. There is another med that is supposed to help build up bone but it takes a 6 month commitment to a shot [it could be a life time medication]. Boniva is a once a month pill form med.

I've read the horror stories.

When I left the pharmacy and got home, I'd worked myself into a tizzy. I was angry that I'd committed to trying it, fearful, anxious, and pissed at my body that had betrayed me, and in a word? I was in a Stress Rage.

I told hubby that I needed to go into a quiet room and cover my eyes and be left alone. I actually said something like: I need to go in a dark cage and have a sign on the door that says: SHE WILL BITE!

How dare my lumbar region be so fragile? I couldn't feel it, but I could see it on the Bone Density Scan. How Dare It? 

Emily told me to keep up my regular routine as I am 'fit and relatively strong'. However, I want to try and help myself and avoid compression fractures in the lower spine. That could end my ability to walk. Period.

Period...

This is the motivator for me to keep trying to improve things.

My husband says I need to stop having negative thoughts regarding trying a medication. You know what? He is right. A doctor's visit set me off in a negative way even though it was a rather pleasant encounter.

Conclusion so far. I've stayed active and strong which has helped keep me from injuries so far. I'm over my Rage at my body and now have settled into a mode of Let's see how I can help myself.

How 'bout them bones?

Two years ago  I had a Bone Scan and didn't think a thing of it until I got an email with the results. 

Shocking! How on earth could the results be so concerning? My doctor called me that night and we set up another appointment. My scores didn't just say Osteopenia. The results were considered pretty severe in regards to the lumbar spine. 

In fact I had nightmares about going to do something that winter and literally having my bones burst out of my body and scatter all over the place. 
Wouldn't that give you a Halloween Nightmare!

I sort of explain things in an April 2022 post where my Osteoblasts are fighting my Osteoclasts.

In short, I was unable to continue with the medication that was prescribed the would keep me from losing more minerals. 

I went back to CrossFit and took up Mobility [and Balance] classes, along with weight training to build up my core muscles to protect my spine along with a moderate change in diet.

I have to be honest. I am horrible when making dietary changes. I do eat my veggies, I do eat mostly properly, but I eat as my husband would say 'like a bird'. I don't like a ton of meat. I like soups and stews, but not steak and tators like he does. I'd rather eat a salad sometimes.

I was asked to drink milk and eat yogurt much more. I don't like milk. I like it if it IS chocolate milk once in a while or if it is a MILKshake. But just milk? Ick. And after a few months of all that extra dairy, my stomach revolted.

So I substituted some Calcium supplements along with some vitamins and continued going to the gym. I enjoy what we have in the gym and it is a social relief to be around other sweaty people. Many times it is comedic relief also.

I let the whole Osteo thing sort of slip from my mind. I figured that I was doing what was right for me and being active and amused is better than being afraid and sorrowful. I let it slip away that is until the next scan which was Monday.

The result was:

Two years and there was almost no change. 

One hip got a tiny bit crappier 'score' and one hip improved on its score. 

The lumbar region had ... and I quote "No significant change".

I feel like I passed a big test and didn't flunk it! To me, this means that I think I am doing something right. Now the endocrinologist may think otherwise when we meet next week. However I will listen to her and discuss medication.  

We've tried Fosamax and Teriparatide aka Forteo with some extremely painful results. I suspect she'd like me to try a newer medication that can only be taken for a year called Romosozumab aka Evenity. It is supposed to build bone density up and can be taken only for 12 months before reverting back to one of the previous meds I've already had or suffer loss of bone due to the new med.

I'd like to hear her take on vitamins and diet and what her thoughts are regarding the No Significant Change. I've had no fractures and no breaks ever in any of my bones so what does she think of that?

Eventually the lower back will have a compression fracture[s] that is inevitable. 

But until then I will be friends with my bones and make sure I take care of them in the best way I can.

Thoughts while hiking

As I hiked the various trails on Wednesday ... and while getting a thoroughly soaked Butt, I kept thinking about the past year.

Last September my doctor had told me that I had Severe Osteoporosis. She cautioned me against going anywhere by myself [in case I fell and broke apart, I guess]. She cautioned me against riding. Again, I could easily fall apart, right?

Last Fall was spent mulling over being thought of as Fragile. Caution, Do Not Drop, This Side Up... 

Suddenly walking in the woods was dangerous and scary. I wanted to tip toe. I was waiting for the bones to just start falling out of my body.

I looked in the mirror ... and thought about bones.... bones...

Was I doomed? What next? Were my fingers going to fall off? 
I had nightmares about having to sweep up bones that fell off me. I'd wake up while the Dream Me was trying to put my bones back in place. What was the best glue to put bones back?

I was assigned some medications. One for depression and one for bones. 

The first bone meds caused severe pain after two months of taking them. My fingers normally hurt as they have arthritis. But not even being able to hold a book to read was the last straw.

The second kind of meds caused me not to be able to even walk without pain.

The doctors kept offering medications and I needed to feel better. 

I hadn't been going to the gym for several reasons. One close contact with colds -- to protect Rich -- and two? I was sure that my bones would just collapse if I went.

I arranged to do mobility classes and then some 'bone strengthening' classes. What was the worse thing that could happen? The coaches would have to pick up my bones if they fell out at the gym, right?

Anyway, here I was hiking at the speed of Light, just crushing it as they say at the gym. I was reaching a goal that I'd set for myself last January and I was doing it for Me. Just Me. I was proving to myself that I am not Fragile or made of Glass.

In fact, I felt so great that I even trotted or jogged parts of the trail. I don't know, it just happened. I felt great.

I felt like I was smashing World Records [Oh Val--don't be an idiot--you were just having fun!]

I felt pure joy and happiness.

In one year I'd gone from feeling hopeless to feeling I could conquer the world. Mother Nature played a big role in that as well as the support I've had from my friends, family, and my coaches.

I don't know if I have reversed any of the damage or if that is even possible. I do know that I feel good and I am enjoying hikes again. Mentally and physically I feel so much better than I did a year ago.

In my book, that is a plus.

Oh yes. I've been riding my mules... a lot. And guess what? My bones have not fallen out of me yet!

Personal Training

So, why would anyone pay for personal training. I mean, come on. We all know that moving and exercising is clearly the way to better health.

I walk, hike, and bike so I should be excellent right? 

I don't need any training, I know what I should be doing.

Huh.

Well. Not really. I had a talk with one of the coaches at the gym and I signed up for a half hour session. She contacted me with several questions regarding my diagnosis.

When I got to the gym, I felt silly. Here I was paying someone to tell me what to do and how to do it. Dumb idea. 

I warmed up on a bicycle while she finished up with a class. Then she waved me over.

There was no hesitation. Angie said, "Let's get to it."

I went through a series of exercises that I'd received from Physical Therapy last year. While I was doing them and she was making sure that I kept my core tight [and she explained that these particular muscles guard the lower back]...
I kept thinking. 

Well duh, I know this stuff. I can do it at home. Why am I paying someone to tell me to do this? 

Do you want to know the answer? Easy. She making me do it. She made sure that I did it correctly. 

We did a lot of core exercises and then moved to lifting. Whether you want to believe it or not, we lift all the time and we lift wrong especially as we age and become less mobile.

Strengthening and mobility go hand in hand to prevent injuries.

It has been nearly a year since I have been to CrossFit. After receiving that diagnosis that blew my mental world apart, I did make an attempt at doing my exercises that PT gave me. But with no one standing there and making me do it, I put it off. 

It was so easy just to say to myself: Well I walked a lot today and I mowed grass, gardened, and did chores. That should be enough.

Most days in the last several months ended with me having sore back muscles. They constantly ached and if I sat for a bit, I felt like I was 100 years old when I stood up to go get a drink of water.

What did I learn? 

One thing.
I felt good afterwards but wondered if this would really make a difference.

I got home and mowed the yard, weeded the shade garden and did other normal everyday things.

I sat down to watch TV. When I got up a little later to walk out and watch the sunset...

It ... hit...

me.

There was NO low back muscle pain. The muscles were not tight, the muscles didn't hurt. 

For the first time in months my back muscles didn't hurt. 

It sounds like I am one of those annoying 'fitness' people doesn't it?

Here is my conclusion. I could do nothing and take pricey medications with lots of side effects that make me sick and see the doctor more often. I could follow my physical therapy exercises... OH, wait, I tried that already. 

My PT exercises I got are on the frig. I don't know if they help the frig or not.

But that was not working for me. I actually feel like a huge weight was lifted from me this week. 

Fingers crossed that I can keep up the good work. 

The motivation from my 'coach' is great. Positive vibes do work.

I'm pleased and I guess that is all that matters.

 

What next??

I know I have harped on my Severe Osteoporosis diagnosis since last September. It struck me very hard and I was stunned to find out that my stupid body had failed me. I did all sorts of tests and a full work up. Heart, lungs, BP, eyes, and blood work came back pretty darned good for an old fart.

But my basic construction was falling apart. 
I started to worry about hikes, about the normal things I'd been doing all along. Suddenly they felt like huge issues.

It has messed with my mind to say the least. My osteoporosis score in the low lumbar region was 2/10ths of a percent under a 99 year old frail person. I was nearly off the charts in a bad way.

The consensus was to start taking bone building medications. The first line was a generic form of Fosomax. After three months, the meds and I didn't get along. Fast forward to the second medication, which I didn't do well on.

In the mean time, I went back to the CrossFit gym for some Mobility Classes. I needed the exercise and gentle stretching. The class is geared to any aged person and improves strength and balance. Well, that is, if you stick with it.

Here is a photo from one of the classes. See? CrossFit isn't a bunch of burly dudes running around throwing weights and beating their chests. It can be so much more. I'm on the left and a good friend of mine is on the right. The Mobility Class has teens to elderly adults in it. 

Yesterday, I had a phone visit with the Endocrinologist. We discussed medications and the pros and cons of the medication called Prolia. It is an injection once every 6 months. The downside of the medication is that at the end of 10 years of this medication, you have to take another medication to prevent relapse.

It is complicated. Prolia builds the bone and keeps the cells from breaking down. It is a monoclonal antibody.

We discussed the fact that so far, I've had no fractures anywhere in my body. She attributes that to my activity level. 

I asked if I could take a reprieve from medications and try a different route for a while:
hiking - low impact - free weights - balance and mobility exercises. Good diet with milk for calcium and foods with vitamins in them.

I explained that the medications worked backwards on me. I had a hard time staying physically active.

She thought this was a good idea and she said she was very open to it. 

Note: This doctor listened to me and explained the benefits of the medications along with saying that new meds are being found all of the time that may help. She didn't speak down to me. She didn't get that air of being far superior.
She even said that it was my body and this felt like a good short term plan to see if I could improve things a bit on my own.

So here are a few things to consider. I signed up to go back to the gym for Mobility Classes and some personal training to tailor exercises for my specific needs.

I was asked why would I spend that money like that? 

Easy.
The cost of the exercises at the gym are far less than medications cost and far less than physical therapy costs.

The benefits for me are multi faceted. I live with a shut-in who doesn't socialize. I get exercise and social interaction at the same time. Plus I suck at doing exercises at home on my own.

Bonus points: It helps my mental and physical well being.

I must be odd...

I am taking the Teriparatide injection for  Severe Osteoporosis. It fairly fine for the first month. I think. It is not painful to inject and it was actually easier to remember to do. Easier than taking the Fosomax pill which was icky beyond belief.

After 3 weeks I started to get some aches and pains in my legs. Charlie Horses, pain behind the knee, pain in front of the knee, what felt like shin splints [if you ever have been a runner]. I wrote the issues off to the fact that I was hiking looking for morels and gardening more. 

Then I realized that I was not actually hiking more or being more active at all. In fact I was so tired some of the time I'd elect to take a nap rather than get out and do yard work. 

Sunday night it came to a head. I'd had a great day. But after sitting for a bit and watching Rich's new favorite series -- Wicked Tuna -- my leg and hands started to hurt more. My hands I'd written off to all the gardening and the Heberden and Bouchard nodes [arthritis of the finger joints] just being angry at pulling weeds. But they also felt swollen. I had a hard time picking small items up.

OH NO! How was I to mess with my tiny Lego People and my Squatch!  HMMM???

Yeah, my mind is strange.

By bedtime I could barely walk. 

I hurt so badly that I decided not to take an injection. It hurt too much to even walk into the other room.

By midnight I was sobbing in pain, wondering how to resolve this issue. Did I drive to the local ER? No! I couldn't leave my hubby along in case...well, in case something went terribly wrong.

I used ice, I used heat, I elevated the leg. I rubbed it, stripped it and found out that the only way to stop my pain was to simply stand up and stand still. 

This MADE no sense. Sorry for the shout out. But it made no sense and I was so worn out from the pain and from the worry. NO way was I going to stand all night.

Ok. So I looked up the medication I am taking. It works by activating the parathyroid in your body to produce hormones that will build your bones. That sounds like a miracle.

Side note. If your parathyroid is over active it can cause something called hyperparathyroidism which leads to Hyercalcemia.  Big Words for some icky feelings. That is my oversimplification. 

Bone pain, muscle weakness, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue,...side effects from this medication can cause bone pain, muscle pain, fatigue, brain fog, increased thirst, ... well you know how those labels read don't you? There is always a mile long list of things you really need to know...but don't want to know.

That all said, it remains to be seen if the medication is doing its proper work or am I suffering from a side effect that caused my parathyroid to release too much calcium into my bloodstream which causes more injury than it helps and can eventually cause well...

death.

One shouldn't look this sh-t up in the middle of the night when they are suffering from pain, right? But we all do it in the internet age. Was I over reacting? I don't know. But in the middle of the night

the boogey man likes to visit those sleep deprived minds.

8AM rolled around and I called the nurse at the Endocrinology department. She asked several questions and I answered. 

Pain level at its worst? Can it be more than 10? Can it be passing out bad?

She said she'd get back to me after talking with the doctor.

I waited all day. I gimped around the house and sat in my partially completed flower garden. By afternoon I decided to put pillows up under my legs and take more Tylenol. 

Later I went back outside to plant some seeds and wait.

No calls.

I gimped up the hill to water the mules. I gimped around to move the goat and the pony. 

I skipped another injection. This medication doesn't stay in your system for long periods of time.

So I am doing my own experiment. 

The pain level was 10 on Sunday night.

The pain level was 8 all day yesterday.

I can walk today. I have stiffness in the leg and a minor ache. 

Pain level this morning? Like a 3!

But.

I am not in agony.

I'm very curious as to what the doctor will have to say to me if the nurses ever decide to call back.

Today? I have other things to do.

Charlie goes in for a tooth extraction! How that little dog cracked a tooth is beyond me.

So it goes. 

What next?

Howz it going?

Mental Battles are the hardest.

I find the mind is an interesting thing to deal with. About 6 months ago I had a bone density test which revealed severe osteoporosis. It came as a shock to me and to say that it hasn't messed with my head would be a lie.

After all, I'm taking some new meds every evening that reminds me about my diagnosis.

BUT

How have I let things change? 

Does my body feel any different than it did 6 months ago? No! I wake up with the same stiffness in my body parts as I did a year ago when I knew I was invincible.

I have good days and bad days just like anyone else. 

But I am letting this vision of bones cloud my vision. I don't feel any different than I did a year ago, I don't even look any different than I did a year ago [well, perhaps a few more grey hairs and age wrinkles!]. So why am I letting this mess with my head?

The bone density predicts the severity of future breaks and injuries. 

I'm not going to analyze things other than to say that I need to remind myself that I need to keep up with what I did before. Hiking, exercising, and doing what I love. 

Letting the vision of a skeleton mess with my head is not acceptable.

I'm going to climb that rock outcropping, I'm going to keep hiking and dream about camping and traveling. I'm going to greet each morning and marvel in each new day.

I'm going to take an Attitude Adjustment. 

Sometimes I use photography to express how I feel. I'm sure you may have figured that out.  Rabbit and Bear is how I expressed feelings regarding all the medical issues my husband had one particular year. I became an expert at driving to the VA's ER with him. I found it to be an interesting way to express thoughts.

And with that said.....

My Life in Lego Land

Coming to terms with Skeletal Issues....

Learning to deal with it...

And I found some of the guys busy helping with the laundry!

My Osteoblasts are fighting my Osteoclasts!

 

I thought this was interesting in a way. I had a visit with an Endocrinologist yesterday. The first line of meds for those folks with bone loss is a med called Alendrontae. I did not get along with that medication at all. I didn't suffer GI issues, but the other issues were pretty severe. 

An Endocrinologist treats conditions related to the body's hormone issues. Apparently some hormonal part of my body forgot to tell the Osteoclasts to quit with the TNT sabotage or perhaps my Osteoblasts went on vacation?

Emily, the PA, was excellent at going over everything and asking the questions she needed to. She spoke directly to me and looked me in the eye. She did not stare at the keyboard and just type. 
She then told me what she was writing as she typed it into my visit notes.

We discussed the severity of my Osteoporosis. A score of -2.6 is severe. That is in my right hip joint. You know the part that swivels the hips? But wait! 
GO Big or Go Home!

My low back has a score of -4.4 

And what does that mean? Kinda like my bone loss is equivalent to a really really old lady? 

I prefer to think of myself as having bird bones, except I can't fly.

So some medication choices were discussed. The first med I tried made me extremely sick but is generally the first line of medication choices and works well. They are in a class of bisphosphates which my system doesn't like much.

So we discussed alternatives. Two meds that actually help rebuild bone use daily injections for 18 months. After 18 months, a med that is supposed to maintain the Osteoblast Guys and prevent the Osteoclasts from blowing me up is taken for the rest of my life.

So hmm. The rebuilders are called: Foteo and Tymlos. Average cost with no coverage per month for these meds are about $2000. I don't see it in the formulary for my medications. However the doctor has someone doing some research. 

The alternate maintenance med is in the formulary.

Osteoporosis is not painful. It is arthritis that hurts along with fractures. The diagnosis really threw me for a loop. I'm supposed to be Superwoman, right?  

Exercise in the proper way, good diet, and positive outlook are all helpful ingredients that cannot be found in a pill.

Because of the severity, I have a few recommendations. No skydiving, no jumping rope, no box jumps, no running~like distance running, and no twisting with weights or heavy weights over my head.

Good recommendations. Continue daily hiking, do weight bearing exercises, fresh air. Walk the dog, enjoy everyday.

Chasing Fungi, Lichen, and Dreams

 

This is the spot where I turned around and headed back alongside the creek. 

I found this old fungi carcass ... is that even a proper way to say it? Dried out black old fungi. I thought it would make a good Trick or Treat surprise to gross someone out. 

The hike back along the creek was much easier than going up and over. The lichen on the rock faces always stop me in my tracks. 

 The colors range from pink to green to an aqua color. I have no idea what all of the lichen are called.

In a few spots there were tiny ferns growing. 

When the leaves fall and the colors leave the forest, I turn my eyes to the tiny things such as moss and lichen. 

I will transition from chasing fungi and mushrooms to chasing moss and lichen. [And Ice Caves!]

The beavers of Weister Creek  rebuilt their new home near the rock bluffs until the next flash flood moves them again.

Their work is a sample of ingenious engineering. I didn't get a photo of it as I was sort of hurrying back to the car.

When I climbed over the section of where the beaver dam used to be, I took a detour to see if I could glance down at one of the ice caves.

I got sidetracked by Woodland Russulas...I think:

They were everywhere! I could smell mushrooms in the air.

These coral fungi were hiding. The tiny Rabbit is 1/2 inch tall for some perspective.

I stopped here and sat in the pine needles. I could hear an occasional vehicle out on County P and I could hear waterfowl coming in for a landing below me on a large bend of the creek.

I didn't want to leave. 
I just didn't.

May...be, if I just melted down into the pine needles. I could just become part of the forest. I was sure if I shut my eyes and opened them very carefully, I'd see gnomes an fairies peeking from behind the trunks of trees.

My camera could capture photos of the adventure but not the essence. The smell of mushrooms, pine, and leaves...what sweeter smells could there be?

When I got home I was excited, tired, and relaxed. My mind was still in the forest.

The phone rang and it was my doctor. She affirmed what I'd seen in the test results. Her concern was rather urgent and she ordered more tests for Friday morning.

I don't like the 'unknown' I'm a person who likes to have all of my facts up front so I can look at them and deal with them. I like a plan, I like order, and I dislike chaos. But the human body is chaos.

A bone density test rates your bone mineral loss and the brittle factor so to speak.  It is to assess risk factors going forward. So since I am a very small person, it was no surprise that I was rated with mild osteoporosis  in one hip and a bit worse in the other. However the score for the Lumbar area was out of this world.  Leave it to me to be unusual. You know I strive to be 'different'.

Well huh. I guess that means I need to come up with a plan after the new test results come in. I feel better when I think I have a plan for things. And I do realize that I am not always in 'control' of my world. I would love to think I could be!

I am going back to the forest to Dream...