First a grandson-ism:
We watched grandson several times this past week. On New Year's Day, his Mom and step-dad went out to eat in Albuquerque to celebrate their New Year's Day anniversary. Grandson brought over a CD his Mom had given him (except he couldn't remember who had given it to him!). The album is Ocean Eyes by Owl City and he particularly likes the Fireflies track, the main reason his Mom bought it for him. We played it on the CD player as he played with his Bionicles in the little living room. As he listened to the music, he announced the title of each song and sung along with some. I was afraid it would be blaring rap music but it was quite pleasant. He's almost 9 so I presume rap music is still to come (but probably not if his Mom can help it!).
Now another:
He finally asked to use my Fitter Wobbleboard. He balanced on it like a pro and even adjusted it to the highest height. I kidded him that good balance would be essential on the hikes he'll go on with me this summer. He said he'd rather go to the Activity Center! Daughter is hoping I'll take him on one hike a week to give him some time away from the AC. I'll try but I'll need his cooperation.
I now have all the results back from my osteoporosis evaluation. I had an appointment to go to Albuquerque on New Year's Eve Day to discuss the suggested treatment plan but woke up and spouse said the roads were snow-packed and icy and it started to snow outside so I called to cancel it and now my appointment isn't until February unless there's a cancellation.
I'm low in Vitamin D, the urine NTx (Google it - I don't completely understand it myself) shows I'm losing calcium from in my urine at a higher rate than I should which translates to greater fracture risk. On the bone mass density, my hips are all right but my spine is osteoporotic.
Obviously years of walking 4 miles a day have helped my hips somewhat but the spine...I need to do a lot more back extensions to make a dent in my spinal bones.
The spinal x-ray didn't show any vertebral fractures if I'm understanding it correctly. I will need help from the doctor in interpreting completely the spinal x-ray report.
What I'm doing so far is to take more Vitamin D3 a day, double my calcium citrate intake, wear my 10 pound weight vest more religiously and develop a resistance program that focuses more closely on back exercises. I may also take a little bit more estrogen. Since I started taking the Barr generic, it seems that it's not as strong as Estrace and that may have adversely affected my bones.
The hard part is that bone only responds to shaking things up in one's physical fitness program. Bones get bored easily and unless you challenge them in new ways, they figure out that they don't need to grow any denser and in fact start losing density.
I've requested a couple of books on interlibrary loan on ways of treating osteoporosis without relying on bisphosphonates - one by Dr. Susan Brown and another by Gillian Sanson. I'm not crazy about the idea of taking so-called bone-building drugs.
After recent blood tests showing a higher than normal fasting glucose, spouse is going to try diet and exercise to control his blood sugar. He has let himself get heavier than he should be. I'm telling him to not crash diet but to try for a lifestyle change in diet and exercise.
We were going to have daughter and son-in-law over for dinner tonight but they may be backing out. They will go on a delayed honeymoon trip to New Orlean's soon and are afraid that spouse may give them a cold. He doesn't have a fever, and perhaps his sniffly symptoms are caused by the new, tighter fitting C-PAP mask which really dries the air out, but they don't want to chance getting sick and ruining their honeymoon. I already roasted some carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic. Later, we'll cook the small leg of lamb roast and I'll make a huge salad. I told them they could always come over and get plates of food to take home.
Lately I've been walking my 4 miles at night downtown. I did walk part of it yesterday with spouse on North Mesa. Lots of non-icy sidewalks to enjoy there and tremendous views of the Sangre de Cristos! This afternoon, I'll do some end-of-year chores and walk tonight again.