Dementia, Osteoporosis 2
The Doctor said it was to be expected, that as one gets olders, things happen. Brittle bones is just one of a host of things, that aging seems to inflict on people, which makes me question GOD a little. I know, they say one should question the Master Plan, but I do. Then too, I am Jewish, and it seems to be a part of our heritage.
I have to admit, I know virtually nothing about this disease, this infliction. I do know, that if we eat the right foods, we can help hold it at bay, which has me examining the foods we eat, all of us. I have David to keep in mind, as well as myself. And he is a handful too, given his eating choices are quite bizarre, if not downright challenging.
To begin with, he doesn’t like vegetables. I mean none, and is very picky on what he does like. For example, he won’t eat veggies, but prefers I add a can of Campbell’s Vegetable Soup when I make meatloaf. Fortunately, he’s a milk and cheese person, so that is a plus, it seems in fighting, or warding off, osteoporosis.
Bananas are another good food to have daily, which helps as that is what Mom has every morning. However, from what little I’ve read, it isn’t about just one item a day, but about a cumulative total. For example, Mother who is 92, should be having a dietary intake of Calcium of about 1500 IUs. Myself, I should be having about 1000 IUs, daily.
Then there are the foods, that actually rob the body of Calcium. I still haven’t found out much on that, other than salt, but it is a learning process. Too bad that the official sites don’t seem to carry a complete or full list. IF they do, they sure don’t make it easy to find. I guess, in some respect, they are seeking funds, more than in providing the information needed.
It seems to always come down to that. MONEY.
Dementia, Osteoporosis
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.
