Well, wasn't that a surprise

     I'd been sent for a DEX scan some years back, during covid. The Dr. never explained the results, nor discussed what we should be doing about it. Turns out I had a fairly good start to osteo in my left hip. (side of AKA)

    Fast forward some years later and have a repeat DEX scan at another location and now I have advanced osteo in my left hip. (always have your scans at the same please guys!!) My PCP was very concerned and now my entire being is in the spotlight. How do I transfer at home, who cooks for me, who drives me, how do I get into my van, grab bars in bathroom/shower/bed, how long since I walked.....on and on. The bottom line being if I fall I will probably crush my hip and put an end to any attempts to walk, let alone be pain free. I already had a great plan set up with all providers ready. I was going into spring '24 with all hands on deck! Not the first time I've attempted this. But being responsible for the care and lives of others always put me off to the side. Now I was derailed by time. Too much time had lapsed, changes happened I was not aware would happen. WHO knew Osteoporosis was common in above knee amputees? Not I, to be sure.

    So I head off with lists of questions and release forms for specialists to please communicate with each other, lest I end up seriously injured. PCP referred me out to an Endocrinologist in Vermont for treatment. My rheumatologist weighed in, my PM&R voiced opinions, I spoke with old friends, my endocrinologist even took my "case" to a conference and spoke to someone she knows who specialises in Osteoporosis in unusual cases. 

    Final stop (which should have been the first stop) was to my Prosthetists. No official statement, but also aware of and finds it very curious that most traumatic above knee amputees are diagnosed early on with Osteoporosis. It was definitely traumatic, and a few years after I stumbled and fell directly onto my left knee. I cracked my thigh bone up the front and smashed the end, with bone fragments all over. I also severely "bruised" my pelvic girdle. I've seen one radiology report that said it was cracked, but no one has ever confirmed it on subsequent x-rays. So...there is that. And not so much a mystery. I worked up a plan with them with a follow up with my PM&R on the 28th. More on this later. I had a treatment plan with the endo which got derailed by a UTI. but more on that later, also.