For the past several years my writing has consisted of personal observations, scripture and lots of personal experiences.
This new chapter isn’t any different except my focus, for now, is on my current journey with Osteoporosis. I just recently had my first bone density scan at the age of 67. Why a doctor had not ordered one earlier in my life is beyond me given I’ve had an annual examination almost without fail every year since turning 18.
Regardless, I walked into the radiology department a month ago with no real concerns. I knew at my age there was no doubt some bone loss, but I’ve walked 3-4 miles, 5-6 days a week for 30 years. I’m very active, I play golf and, on occasion, pickleball with a friend. I’m always on the go, watch my weight, especially sugar and carbs because my A1c has been too high in the past. In my ignorance, I believed I was doing a good job.
So, when my scan results were posted on the patient portal late on Wednesday afternoon, I read through it at least 3 times trying to grasp what the report said. In layman’s terms it said I met the Osteoporosis criteria. The parameters of normal bone were listed, next came the parameters for Osteopenia, then full blown Osteoporosis. All three of my numbers exceeded the full-blown Osteoporosis category. I felt a little numb and walked back into our living room where my husband was sitting and said, “well that scan result didn’t turn out like I thought or hoped.”
Within 30 minutes, I had a new email telling me I had a new message on the portal. I opened the message, which was from my doctor of almost 5 years, and her first sentence was, “you have severe Osteoporosis, I suggest we begin a monthly treatment for one year and then change medications. You can go to the hospital to have it administered.” She also stated the drug she was suggesting.
WAIT A MINUTE! Go to the hospital to have it administered? I messaged back and asked what was meant by that, is it infusion therapy? While waiting for a reply, I looked up the drug. It plainly warned that it can cause a heart attack, stroke, jawbone loss and other potential side effects but I stopped reading at that point. After menopause, I have struggled with anxiety which can elevate my blood pressure and heart rate. My mother had hypertension and died of a massive stroke at 77.
When either the PA or the nurse messaged back and said it was an infusion/injection…okay. I messaged back and said that the potential side effects are extremely frightening, and couldn’t I begin with one of the oral medications? My doctor replied basically saying I was beyond that and what I read in her message was “you are too far gone.” She didn’t literally say it but that, in my mind, was the implication.
Now I’m a combination of numb, shocked and angry. I didn’t eat anything that evening, I couldn’t sleep for 2 nights and barely touched food. I spent five to six hours each of the next two days educating myself on the diagnosis and what my options aside from the infusion/injection route might be.
I printed my lab report and went back over it. I wrote down the parameters for each level and compared my scan numbers. Yes, my scan indicates my numbers exceed the cutoff for falling within the Osteoporosis category but not by much. And compared with Osteopenia, I’m not that far away from falling within the absolute top cutoff there either. The only scan result that exceeds the above is my non-dominant left forearm. I’ve yet to talk to anyone who had their forearm scanned, let alone her non-dominant forearm.
Here is what I’ve learned so far in my research and journey over the past 4 weeks:
- Walking simply isn’t enough. Even though I walked on average of over 10,000 steps a day, five to six days a week or in other terms, a little over 20 miles a week for 30 years. Walking is great for cardiovascular health, but our bones need so much more. After menopause, my walking routine should have been accompanied by weight-bearing exercise.
- As someone who doesn’t really like meat, my diet for many years has consisted of mostly vegetables and grains. I’d prepare a protein for my family but rarely ate any of it or just a few bites at the most. This was a huge mistake. I was ignorant of the fact that even though my bloodwork was good and I felt well, my bones were needing lean protein sources daily and after menopause, my bone density was deteriorating.
- I can’t stand to drink milk and haven’t been a milk drinker since toddlerhood. I would drink a little chocolate milk from the school cafeteria but that was not easy to choke down. I leave most of the milk in the bottom of the bowl when eating cereal. I’ve eaten my fair share of plain yogurt and various types of cheese and thought I was doing just fine. But my bones were needing a consistent, healthy intake of calcium and that wasn’t happening.
So, armed with the above personal revelations, here I go on my quest to slow/stop my bone loss and strive to gain healthy bone over time.
Join me on my journey. My guess is if you read the above information, you may be facing your own Osteoporosis diagnosis or you know someone who is.
He (the Lord) gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
C. Deni Johnson
September 2026
