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View Full Version : My mom fell and broke her back!


Christy B
02-07-2008, 12:31 AM
Literally.

The ortho doc said that she has a "definite and obvious fracture of her something-something vertebrae" (one of the lumbar ones).

Then he said, "Have you been taking your calcium? See, this is what happens."

So.

Everyone. Well, the women especially.

Go take your calcium! My mom wants you to.

She will be having outpatient surgery and the prognosis is excellent. Also, she did NOT re-injure the area where she had back surgery about thirty years ago -- that looks good. Whew. Oh, and she has been completely looped out on pain meds and muscle relaxants. Between her immobility and her altered mental state, I have had a total "gut check" the last two weeks -- I am not ready for my parents to be old! I need them to take care of me!

One cool thing, though, is that my girls, although only 12 and 9 years old, have been able to take turns staying with my mom and really and truly being useful to her. They fetch and reach and fluff, answer the phone, do a little laundry, etc. She has even supervised schoolwork (this was before they started her on muscle relaxants!) and she said that it was really nice to have something to do while she couldn't get around. I think it made the time pass more quickly, and of course made her feel productive. We wouldn't have had that opportunity to share with her if the girls were in school. I would have stayed with her, of course, but the girls would have missed such a great opportunity to serve.

Anyway. Take your calcium. Beware of new boots and slick bathroom floors. Hug your mom.

Sue G in PA
02-07-2008, 01:36 AM
She is lucky. And, thanks for the reminder to take my calcium!

Anne/Ankara
02-07-2008, 08:40 AM
That's terrible! I hope she recovers soon. And I will drink my milk and eat my cheese and brocolli! You can tell your mom that all of us here are watching our calcium intake because of her!

Pster
02-07-2008, 08:44 AM
I am sorry she got hurt but glad her prognosis is so good! Ouch.

I always am wondering if I'm taking "enough" calcium. And Dr.Oz said (love watching those Oz segments) to make sure we take calcium with magnesium (correct me if that is wrong....)....

RoughCollie
02-07-2008, 09:40 AM
From Dr. Oz's website www.realage.com

"RealAge Optimum:
You can make your RealAge as much as 1.3 years younger by taking 1,200 mg of calcium per day (400 mg three times per day), along with 400 IU of vitamin D per day, from food or supplements. Don’t take iron or fiber supplements with your calcium, as both interfere with the absorption of calcium."


And Dr.Oz said (love watching those Oz segments) to make sure we take calcium with magnesium (correct me if that is wrong....)....

Christy B
02-07-2008, 11:57 AM
I am sorry she got hurt but glad her prognosis is so good! Ouch.

I always am wondering if I'm taking "enough" calcium. And Dr.Oz said (love watching those Oz segments) to make sure we take calcium with magnesium (correct me if that is wrong....)....

My chiro says the same thing. I actually have calcium deposits where they don't belong, because of a magnesium deficiency. Very important to take the two together. Also, some people need more magnesium than others.

Apparently, people with stress need more magnesium. My guess is that would include anyone on the forum here. :)

*anj*
02-07-2008, 12:53 PM
Thanks for the reminder.

And I'm so glad that your mom is okay. My friend's mil fell and broke her back several years ago, and she can't walk now. I'm really glad that your mom has a good prognosis.

JudoMom
02-07-2008, 01:34 PM
My chiro says the same thing. I actually have calcium deposits where they don't belong, because of a magnesium deficiency. Very important to take the two together. Also, some people need more magnesium than others.

Apparently, people with stress need more magnesium. My guess is that would include anyone on the forum here. :)

I'm sorry about your Mom! Ouch! But what a blessing for your daughters to be able to serve :).

About the magnesium--if you take calcium without the magnesium you'll get severely constipated. At least this is what Dr. Oz said (and Oprah confirmed with her personal experience) on Oprah earlier this week :eek:.