Your Story Matters
Testimonials
Real Life....Real Stories
Ann Box
Almost 2 decades after my first bone scan, my doctors have told me the early detection of osteopenia and taking supplements (to keep it from turning into osteoporosis) has allowed me to continue to normal life after these 3 broken bones....
Mr. T
My doctor recommended I start incorporating weight bearing exercises into my daily workout to help with my osteoporosis. I was unaware of just how much these types of exercises could help.
Shanette Eaden
While I didn’t have a full understanding of the importance behind such a test, I wasn’t too worried about what my results would be as I believed I was still very young and healthy.
Ann's
Story
In 2002, I was over 50 years old and a bone health density scan was something I asked my doctor about at my annual exam. Finding out I had osteopenia, I started taking the supplements the doctor prescribed. I had heard that a broken bone with osteoporosis potentially meant a loss of mobility. Active in my church, a mom, wife and a business owner, I wanted to maintain my full lifestyle.
Today, I am 70 years old and still have osteopenia. What that means for me is that if I fall, I more easily break a bone. E.g., I broke my wrist --and now have a plate in it. I stepped down on an uneven place in a sidewalk – and broke a bone in my foot that now has a screw. And most recently, on an international trip, I managed to fall up a step walking into a small, darkly-lit storefront – I shattered my shoulder and had reverse shoulder replacement with a prosthesis. I am a bionic woman…or I like how my grandson’s say it, “a super hero robot grandma”. Eventually I have been able to continue normal, daily activities. Almost 2 decades after my first bone scan, my doctors have told me the early detection of osteopenia and taking supplements (to keep it from turning into osteoporosis) has allowed me to continue to normal life after these 3 broken bones…as opposed to the exponentially more difficult process it would have been had the bones been fully osteoporitic. Because of my journey through this process, I vividly am aware of the need for and have experienced the result of educating myself in bone health. Today, I am able to live a normal life despite osteopenia because I spoke about this with my doctor. I know that if TOF has a fraction of the impact on others that awareness of osteoporosis has had on myself, it will literally shift the lives of families across the state. I am honored to be a part of it and incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of TOF’s earliest beginnings.
Ann Box
San Antonio, Texas
Shanette's
Story
I first heard of Osteoporosis when I was a kid and saw Giget aka Hollywood actress, Sally Field, talk about it on a TV commercial. I can remember seeing the commercial hundreds of times but never understanding what osteoporosis was. It was during a routine physical that my doctor suggested that I have a bone density scan done. While I didn’t have a full understanding of the importance behind such a test, I wasn’t too worried about what my results would be as I believed I was still very young and healthy. Unfortunately, my optimism soon got side swiped by a dose of reality when my doctor called me to tell me that the results from my bone density scan show I have something called Osteopenia. My doctor described osteopenia as the precursor to osteoporosis. My test results showed that the bones on one side of my body were weaker than the other side. This news was shocking to me. How did I get here? I was just 40 years old and, in my opinion, too young to suffer from such a condition. I felt healthy and certainly didn’t feel as if I had weak bones.
It has now been a year since my diagnosis and I have had to take the time to learn about how I can improve my health and live my best life.
Shanetta Eaden
Plano, Texas
Mr. T's Story
68 y/o patient Mr. T experienced an accident after falling off ladder that occurred while inspecting his rental properties. Mr. T fractured his femur and tibia on his lower leg which caused him much distress and spent 6 weeks in a cast. Mr. T was not aware of the condition of his bones at that time. However, recently he had DEXA scan done which continued to show progression of his osteoporosis. Once informed of his status, he is empowered to continue the right treatment and his MD encouraged him to seek referral to Physical Therapy to help supplement it. His PT included weight bearing exercises. This will help him preserve his bone health and information will empower his decision making with his healthcare team. Be empowered and ask for a DEXA from Texas Osteoporosis Foundation today so that you can be aware of your bone health.