I got the results back from my bone density scan yesterday. They show that I have slight osteoporosis of the left hip. I've been told I must drink at least half a pint of milk a day or eat a cheese sandwich, goat's cheese acceptable. My nightly hot chocolate or Ovaltine can count toward my total and can now serve a greater purpose than just being a soporific.
This deterioration is not unusual with a spinal cord injury. I spend most of my time sitting down and so my hips aren't weight bearing. I'm standing three times a day when I'm at home, but because I start to pass out, I never manage more than three minutes. I'm going to get a corset/binder from the hospital and that should help. If I want to build up my legs again, I need to stand for a lot longer. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong: when I was in the Spinal Unit, I used to stand for up to half an hour. Time to go back for an assessment.
But the deterioration is sobering. Over time my shoulders will give way: they're simply not designed to take the weight they must carry when I transfer. It's hard to know how much of this is inevitable. I suppose I just have to wait and see. I'd just rather I hadn't had the first indication of premature ageing quite so soon.
