Thursday, March 27, 2014

Officially Decrepit

I went to the doctor today, in search of a physical therapy referral to help with my sciatica.

Gosh, I wouldn't blame anyone if they stop reading right there.

So! What I thought would take 15 minutes took an hour, what with their insisting on weighing me (I don't want to talk about it) and taking my blood pressure (which I made them do twice, because I didn't like the first numbers) and the doctor's ordering x-rays of my back and hips before she would put in the referral.

Did you know you have to take off your bra to do a lower back x-ray?  I was not happy.

Anyway, all that took an hour (which really isn't bad, considering the x-rays) and then I had to run out of there to pick up David from school; and my dinky cellphone, which only rings when it WANTS to, missed the call from the doctor, who left a voicemail telling me there were apparent "arthritic changes" in my back.

You know, I knew that already.  I could feel it.  But hearing it?  Really depressed me.  So now I am being forced to focus on the fact that I have become an arthritic, overweight person by age 50.  Oh, and the triage nurse, adding insult to injury, gave me a little present.

Personally, I don't want to read anything that contains the words "fecal sample."


That's a DIY stool collection kit that I send off to a lab so some lucky technician can search for microscopic traces of blood in my poop. Everyone who is 50 gets one.  Aren't we lucky?


22 comments:

  1. Sounds like you need some chocolate.

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  2. I take it that the word 'colonoscopy' didn't come into the conversation - as that's the word that made me leave the doctor’s office at 50 and not go back for 7 years.

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    1. I know - I'm surprised I didn't hear it. Maybe because they were too busy trying to persuade me to schedule a mammogram and a Pap smear...

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  3. Oh for real? I'd be so disheartened.

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  4. I bet *everybody* has "arthritic changes" in their back by age 50.

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  5. I hope I didn't come across as callous. I'm just trying to say that you're not alone in this aging process we're all going through.

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  6. I'm going to be in a similar boat by that age, I'm sure. My knees already act as accurate barometers. Hope they can help, even if it sucks that you need it.

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  7. My recent appointment involved an extra super squishy mammogram that still has me a little traumatized. There are times I seriously wonder if I should throw caution to the wind and just never return to the doctor again unless it's an emergency. Life might be better that way. (Potentially shorter, but better!)

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  8. Well at least you aren't the person at the lab who has to open those envelopes every day.

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  9. ummm that sounds like fun.

    I got my blood test results back from when I had them done a bit ago. I was pretty happy with my results. Only one "bad" grade lol.

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  10. The amount of medical crap involved in getting older is profoundly daunting. Bleh.

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  11. Girl, we are falling apart. Both shoulders are out of whack, so I can't sleep w/out Advil. Now off to schedule a mammogram. Yippee!!!

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  12. I hear you, I sympathize with you, and, more than that, I am right there with you. I've been the physical therapist lots this year so far.

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  13. Myssie1963March 28, 2014

    Decrepit is being told at age 50 that you have an arthritic hip. Sheesh, really? Old much?

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  14. That sounds just horrible. No way to sugarcoat it, friend.

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  15. But on the upside, cnn recently reported that knitting helps with anxiety. So more validation to knit constantly now.

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  16. We're all getting there. My back has bothered me for 27+ years. I fell off a ladder when I was picking peaches. One side of the step ladder sunk into a groundhog tunnel while I was balanced on the top step. I never went to the dr then. It has gotten to the point now that I may go see the chiropractor again. Usually I have only needed to see him when I was pregnant. Hey, it only took me 20 years to decide to get my hernia repaired last December. :)

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  17. Is that envelope in lieu of a colonoscopy? Cause I would definitely be interested in THAT idea!

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  18. Aging is not for sissies.
    I'm 48 going on 70 these days, so I definitely "feel" your post.

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  19. Oh, there are a lucky few of us, though... I got a flyer from the community hospital, that had just invested in a lot of expensive equipment, touting their abilities now as a cancer center (yeah right. With Stanford half a dozen miles up the road), and after noting my name and address told me I was now over 50, y'know, wouldn't want to lose you too soon (or words to that effect). It was imperative that I schedule my colonoscopy today!

    Someone SO didn't do all their homework.

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  20. Oh, I know how you feel! I just found out I have osteopenia (precursor to osteoporosis) and have already shrunk an inch. Talk about feeling old. Hope you find some relief for the arthritis (maybe that can be poured in a glass? wink.) And hope all came out ok in the poop sample.

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