Jayne the Jellyfish?

by Jayne on August 29, 2008

Alas, my bone mineral density (BMD) continues to deteriorate. I had my baseline scan in the spring of 2006: post-diagnosis, pre-chemo, pre-oophorectomy. At that time my bones were in rip-roaring good shape. They were downright awesome. So… if breast cancer hadn’t entered my life, I don’t think that osteoporosis would have been my destiny, either.

In 2007 I had my BMD measured again. And I had dropped a whopping 7 %. I cried. I got very angry. I got the news on my birthday and I let it ruin my birthday. I hoped that this year I might only show a 1 or 2 % drop. Maybe even stabilize. I had hoped that maybe the chemo and the ooph had whomped me good. However, I had enough sense to wait until after my birthday to go in for the scan.

The result? Another 7% drop. Now look, I was an engineering major in college so it isn’t hard for me to do the math here. Seven percent a year for several years…equates to Jayne the Jellyfish.

Well, folks. It seems to me that I have landed myself a new research project. What are my options? Will I have to stop skiing? I am currently taking Arimidex – is that a factor? Do I have to wait until I actually have osteoporosis to get treatment? Believe it or not, my BMD is still within the normal range even after these two disastrous readings.

{ 2 comments }

andrea September 4, 2008 at 1:04 pm

I can’t believe the doctors aren’t more proactive in preventing osteoporosis in a case like yours. Seems backward to wait until you actually have it, doesn’t it?

footfall September 23, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Hello Jayne,

I just found your blog. I too am writing one, for the same reason. Loved your flowers for Christina. Consolations re: bone density drop. I’m across the pond, but you’re welcome to pop in:

http://theotherfootfell@blogspot.com

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