Nice combination to get hit with, isn’t it? Oh and let’s not forget the high blood pressure and the hernia either. Did I mention she is ninety two? I feel gut kicked about now, as I try to digest all this.
The Bone Density test was not good news. It seems Mom has Osteoporosis, which simply means, brittle bones. By itself the more common name doesn’t sound so bad, does it? And yet it is serious. Basically it means that if left untreated, a simple bump can break a bone or two. A simple little tap against the wall, can break an arm, a leg.
Of course, the biggest worry is what could happen, if she has a fall. Any kind of fall, not even a serious one, can lead to some serious bone breaks, like a hip. That, for some reason, scares the hell out of me, because she has fallen. There have been times, when she’s fallen, for no apparent reason. Fortunately she never hit her head on anything, or broke anything… yet.
My initial thought, was how can I cushion the floors more, better soften the walls. I know, stupid, but you think of these things. Now, every time she moves, I wonder, will she bump against something, will her wrist break as she tries to push herself up from the couch.
Like just now, I heard a bump, and rushed to see what it was, if she was okay. She was just closing a cupboard door, yet the sound, the noise, triggered the old nerves & imagination. I don’t know how others do it, not even sure I know if I am doing it right or not. The idea is there now, and I don’t know how to cope with it.
Traditional treatments are there, but because of her hernia or whatever it is called, those drugs have increased chance of creating serious side effects. Like internal bleeding, ulcers, stomach cramps, and worse. Naturally, with our luck.
Untraditional treatment is no guarantee either. It has about a 2/3 rds chance of helping to reduce the risk of bone breakage, but it costs $800.00. Now I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but how do you say no? You can’t, I mean you have to find a way, and okay, to many $800 isn’t a huge sum, but it is to us.
It doesn’t get better.