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You know it’s not good news when the nurse tells you the results of your test are in but you will need to see the doctor.  I asked that the nurse tell me the results over the phone, fax them, and send them by email or snail mail.  But she said I needed to come in.  Really?  Was it serious or do they need more revenue since COVID hit?

I wasn’t particularly worried because in 2016 I had a bone density test which showed I had the bones of a 36 year old – the age of my daughter at the time.   I was proud of myself.  Maybe a little too proud and definitely cocky.

So I had to wait 10 days for my results.  Obviously business has picked up.  You know by now that patience is not my middle name and in that time I can think of all sorts of things.  But the day finally came and sure enough I went directly from a 36 year old to a 66 year old with osteoporosis – skipping the prelude of osteopenia.

I never do anything half way.

So the doctor and I had a nice conversation about putting a note in my chart that I am to be given results over the phone regardless of the results or prognosis.

And then we spoke about what to do about the osteoporosis.  I have options which is always a good thing.  She suggested her two favorites and offered other products but stated that those would require seeing a rheumatologist or endocrinologist.  I told her that I would like time to research each of these drugs and discuss them with my husband because he has taken an injectable form but I could not recall which one.  This also called to mind why having an advocate with you is always a good idea and why if I had been given my diagnosis over the phone Thad and I could have research this and expedited this whole decision making process.

And so Thad and I spent this past weekend discussing which drug would be best for me.  The options vary from oral medications to monthly or quarterly or biannual injections to yearly infusions.  All have side effects, some mild, some long lasting.  Turns out Thad sold Zolendronic (Zometa, Reclast) and has taken it for three years as a yearly infusion.  And he is vehemently against any oral medications because they are not as effective and can cause havoc with your GI and esophagus.  I concur – I don’t want to even go there.  He feels strongly about his choice and encourages me to follow suit.  But starting with a new physician (endocrinologist) is something I don’t want to do as it will be adding to my burgeoning contact list of physicians.  Folks, it’s getting hard to keep them all straight.  And his endocrinologist is a good to 40 minutes away.  My GP is right in my home town.

So, what do I do?

What do you do when your doctor tells you need XYZ?  Do you summarily accept the doctor’s suggestion assuming they are the professional experts?  Do you deny the diagnosis because you have no symptoms and “feel” fine?  Or do you research the pros and cons until your eyes are bloodshot and you just want to take yourself out back to the shed and put yourself down like an old mare?

Well, this old mare can tell you that she has dealt with enough medical professionals to know that they aren’t always knowledgeable in every area of medicine.  I also know that denial never helps and that you can’t always see what is there – think Covid, Cancer in its infancy, God, Jesus, and Hebrews 11:1.  And finally, I am a chicken so offing myself is out of the question.  Besides I would probably miss and end up lame but living-sort of.

So what I am going to do?  I have narrowed it down to two medications.  One is an injectable given twice a year in the office of my now GP and the other is Thad’s choice which will require me to become a patient of his endocrinologist and take a year infusion.  Stay tuned.

The good news is that if I choose the infusion, Thad and I can make it a date, do our infusions together.  I think I’ll have lobster and lemon meringue pie.

Thank you for reading my post.  If you have found it encouraging please consider liking, commenting or sharing it.  Feel free to even re-blog – may these words take flight!

I have additional insights I’d love to share with you found in the pages of my debut book: Surviving Medical Mayhem – Laughing When It Hurts.  To order a copy or learn more go to my website at www.lorettaschoen.com

Blessings for Health & Wellness.