It takes dedecated concentration to break a leg. Mine began at age 18, when my BFF asked if I wanted to learn to smoke, since we were going away to college. Cigarettes were a quarter a pack from the vending machines.
And so it began. I smoked a pack a day in the beginning, but that increased as life got bigger. In my 30s and 40s (wish I knew the apostrophy on this keyboard!), as a corporate controller, I was up to three packs a day! I recall smokes were $3.33 a carton.
I took up weaving at the end of the eighties; Jan and I started our business. She ran the studio; I went on the road. Weaving is not a light weight profession! A pint's (found it!) a pound the world around, and we wove many and sold hundreds of pounds a week. The stock, the booth, the display, and I handled thousands of pounds off and on the van weekly.
I never had the bone density test my doctor wanted. Yes, I'm small boned. My thumb and forefinger fit around my wrist, but I figured I worked smart; lift with the legs and all that.
Then I needed a new hip so badly my weaving career ended abruptly for it to happen, in 2003. Fortunately I found a job with my township, and life stayed on an even keel. I actually began spinning and selling wool yarn, and Jan took up quilting. Cigarettes cost a lot more. Easy for politicians to hang taxes on! They were going on fifty dollars a carton.
2008 was in the mix somewhere, and I saw the writing on the wall. Obama was clear in his intent to pay some child health care with cigarette taxes, and a carton in Ohio would cost over $50. I smoked as long as I could, beat the cash register, then quit.
I also finally had a bone density test. Chantilly lace bones! Mine is genetic, inherited and passed on, at least to my older daughter. I was working out at the gym for bone strength when I twisted my foot, fell and broke my right tibia about five years. This time I'd gone back to PT that very day, and tripped going into the basement on the way home. I fell on clay tile over concrete, and broke my left fibia, the one anchoring that old hip transplant.
Enough for today! Rehab stuff next time.
Well, bummer! I can just envision you falling. Gads... do take care of yourself!!! Healing hugs...
ReplyDeleteMy God, you've had quite the experience. Hopefully the docs are stabilizing you and then the PT will restore your mobility. You certainly did not need all this drama. Take care Joanne. I'm thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd had the bone density test years ago, you could have had the treatment to strengthen your bones then? or was it not known or available all those years ago?
ReplyDeleteWill it help to get that calcium treatment now?
I quite like chantilly lace, but not for bones. Please be careful with stepping, trip hazards are everywhere.
Oh - wow. I know there's a better ending coming since when we met you were walking around but ... oh wow.
ReplyDeleteI have a bone density test at the end of January; they are that far out! I do hate falls; they never turn out well. I hope the rehab is helpful and that you're soon back on both feet.
ReplyDeleteOh Joanne, I'm so sorry your infrastructure is betraying you.
ReplyDeleteI will be 70 on my next birthday, but they tell me I have the bones of a woman in her 20s. I'll take that, yes, thank you.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteBugger. Forgive the Aussieism, but that's what it is. YAM xx
Oh goodness, you've done it all! Not sure if the Reclast or Prolia infusions could help the osteoporosis at this point. They're easier on the stomach than the daily pills to help with bone density. Meanwhile, instead of flannel-lined jeans for the winter months, please line your slacks with plastic bubble wrap! Unfortunately, so many people think they "fell", when in actuality, what happened was that the bone breaks, which causes the fall. Your lacey scaffolding has too many challenges pestering it. Keep putting those docs to work for anything that can help. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that I hope with all of my heart that the bone mends and you can be up and about again. That, and sending love.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry this has happened to you! I wish I lived close enough to help out in some way.
ReplyDeleteI am wincing just reading about your fall, Joanne - I expect it likely hurt like a you know what ... and the irony of suffering a break all because you were going to the PT to take care of yourself - gah ...
ReplyDeleteTake good care and I hope there's something that the miracles of modern medicine can do to help strengthen those bones, although I imagine if there was, you'd have done it by now. Rest up, my friend. Heal.
Dang. That sounds so painful. Be careful. Falling happens quickly, injuries too.
ReplyDeleteWow. You know I had to check out if my thumb and forefinger went around my wrist ( they did). But Joanne, I don’t think I know a single person who has had that many breaks. I hope you are resting and healing well. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteMend well! I hope that you are not in loads of pain. You are one tough cookie, I must say!!
ReplyDeleteI started smoking at 18 too and kept it up for 15 years but then quit under doctor's orders. Starting to smoke was one of the stupidest decisions of my life (although there have been others too, of course, LOL). I hope you're not in too much pain from your most recent break.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you had bone issues, because the fractures seem to happen without much impact, dammit. So sorry. I hope your latest trip is soon mended.
ReplyDeleteThis is wretched and miserable for you Joanne, I hope you mend quickly and pain free. Lard it made some sad reading.
ReplyDeleteBig hug.
XO
WWW
I'm so sorry you've had to deal with so much pain over the years. You are such a strong woman because despite all these problems you have accomplished so much. I hope you heal quickly feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteOuch! Thank you for keeping us up to date. I recall a patient with osteoporosis receiving injections to build stronger bones. It was expensive and not covered by insurance. Perhaps that's changed.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Ow, not good! Apart from genetics though, so much has been found about the causes of osteoporosis.
ReplyDeleteGlad you don't smoke now...((0)) (gently)
I'm trying to think of something useful to say, but I can't. This really sucks eggs. I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteOh no. Some things must seem stacked against you. Please stay upright. P.S. H.I. swears by tincture of Wild Yam for the sort of things which trouble older women.
ReplyDeleteWell, that road had loads and twists and turns and probably a few blind corners…..hopefully you’re now on the straight and narrow one with nothing in the way to slow down the healing of that leg
ReplyDeleteTake care
Cathy
I am amazed that you even survived a three pack a day habit! But you did, and we are all rooting for you to be back on your feet quickly.
ReplyDeleteAfter m.y bike accident, I was so thankful that I hadn’t broken any major bones. I feel for you Joanne. I hope your bones knit well and quickly!
ReplyDeleteSorry that you broke your leg. Hope it heals well and you can return to your normal life soon!
ReplyDeleteOuch!
ReplyDeleteYikes!
ReplyDeleteMaybe 'small-boned' is why I am somewhat arthritic although I don't want to overstate that condition which makes it sounds as though I am crippled up. My bad foot is more a result of an athletic injury, but I do also feel things in my hands and knees and so on. And then there are back issues.
ReplyDeleteMend well Joanne.
ReplyDeleteAnd of all the places to have a break! Such rotten luck!
ReplyDeleteI feel so sorry to read that, Joanne! Hope they can fix it and you get better soon.
ReplyDeleteTom was suggesting Yam's root - natural oestrogen - and I ask wether the docs have talked about chemical oestrogen jelly (Estreva) - it might support building up the bones.
My best wishes to you!
Sorry to hear about your chantilly lace bones, and the broken fibia. I wish you better luck in the future.
ReplyDeleteMy bone density test was good and I have never broken anything except my left foot, but I have broken four different times! Never smoked. I had asthma and bronchitis frequently as a child, no doubt due to the fact that all the adults around me smoked without realizing they were making it difficult for me to breath. My husband was up to 4 packs a day when his last heart attack almost took him away. Now he is addicted to Juicy Fruit gum!
ReplyDeleteHope you get healed up and feel better soon, Joanne. Glad you got rid of the cigarettes too. I had a nasty nicotine addiction (chewing tobacco) that I finally kicked about 20 years ago. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be but I am grateful that I did it.
ReplyDeleteOi vey. :(
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your delicate bones.x
I hope you know you have my fondest wishes for a speedy and pain-free recovery.
ReplyDeleteI really understand and am sooooo sorry. Cast? Is it colored? Can you walk on it? Mine was red. (Sounding very childish here.) My thoughts are with your leg and bones.
ReplyDeleteThose "coffin nails" are very bad for health for sure. Sorry you got hooked, as Big Tabacco intended you to -- sorry about the delicate bones - may no more break.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I didn't realize you'd broken a leg. I hope all goes well in rehab for you.
ReplyDeleteOh dear! Sending hugs and hoping all the ensuing medical stuff goes well for you.
ReplyDeleteFalling is bad. I try not to do it. My last bone scan showed further deterioration but I'm not ready for those heinous meds which I don't think work all that great anyway.
ReplyDeleteI did hear that smoking can cause bone loss. It's such a shame we didn't know this a long time ago. I have osteoporosis, but in my case I think it's more genetic. Must be from my father's side because my mother's bones are strong.
ReplyDelete