Living Day to Day With Severe Osteoporosis

August 30, 2007

I can't believe it!  My book is finally for sale!  It has been a long road getting there.  Now I srtart the publicity part with signings and appearances that will be scheduled in the near future with the help of my publicity department.  To purchase the book directly from the publisher visit http://www.authorHOUSE.com at their book store and click on to "Health and Fitness."  I will soon be posting retail and other on-line stores for book purchasing at my web site http://www.alicevroberts.com

In the meantime below, I have written a brief description of the book:

Osteoporosis, which means porous bone, is one of the country's fastest growing epidemics. Severe osteoporosis is painful, debilitating, and can cause numerous fractures that may even require major surgery.

“Living Day To Day With Severe Osteoporosis” explains all this in detail as well as the causes of osteoporosis, risk factors, the importance of diet and exercise, and the relationship of hormones to this disease.  Equally important is prevention and treatment.  Osteoporosis related injuries might also require physical therapy and mobility assistance.  Becoming permanently handicapped happens all too often. Osteoporosis can even result in death.

“Living Day To Day With Severe Osteoporosis" is a true story about living with this disease starting at the young age of 35, and becoming permanently disabled at 49.  At the appropriate times I have woven my personal journey with this disease into the book.  I discusses my diagnosis, treatment in fighting osteoporosis, and the changes it has made in my day-to-day living as a result.

Over ten million people currently have osteoporosis. Once known mostly for afflicting the elderly, osteoporosis has become a major health threat for millions of men and women regardless of their age.  They can and do become victims.  By the year 2020 half of all Americans will have osteoporosis. Since one in eight men have osteoporosis, this book includes a chapter just for men.

People need to know the warning signs. Many options are available today regarding the cause of osteoporosis and its treatment. There are even medications to help rebuild your bones. By reading “Living Day To Day With Severe Osteoporosis” you can educate yourself.  Having the knowledge will help you recognize the warning signs. Please do not ignore them.  You can do something about it if you take action soon enough.  Do it for yourself and your family.

Take care and I will try to keep this page up-dated regularly now that the book is for sale. So many things are going to be happening. And I am very EXCITED! ! ! ! ! ! !

Alice V. Roberts

 _________________________________________________________________________________

August 1, 2007

WOW! I forgot I even had this page. The book publishing process has ben slow. However the book "Living Day To Day With Severe Osteoporosis" is scheduled for release this fall (2007)

I am excited to begin planning for book signings and speaking out on this "silent disease" For more up-to-date information please visit my website at http://www.alicevroberts.com

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nov 2006

I was diagnosed by the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, with severe osteoporosis in 1991 not1993 (typo) at the age of 35. In December 2004, a week after my 49^th birthday, I was placed on permanent disability due to my bone density scores (-4.5: results that would have been expected from a woman in her mid-90’s). Over the years I have broken most major bones more than once, had fractures that required major surgeries and physical therapy, and experience approximately 20 rib fractures a year (just from sneezing, coughing, and moving the wrong way). I must also use a cane and cannot lift over five pounds for the rest of my life.

At the time I was diagnosed as permanently disabled I was employed as a records clerk for a nearby law enforcement agency. And on my last day of work, December 27, 2004, I left in an ambulance due to a fall injury (osteoporosis related). My doctors have told me a fall could leave me a paraplegic or quadraplegic because of such thin and weakened bones. So every time I do fall 911 must be called. I am then transported in a full cervical and spinal stabilzation to the hospital for x-rays. Even though I may not feel anything broken, to move on my own could cause permanent damage. I live with this fear on a daily basis. Fortunately, our local paramedics know me and understand the seriousness of the situation (the advantages of living in a small town).

The first six weeks at home I had a pity party, wondering “Why Me"? Then a neon light flashed in my head. Due to my age and severity, I could write a book to help make people aware of the disease osteoporosis, what its causes are, and how someone can prevent from going down the road I have traveled with osteoporosis.

And that is just what I did! I had always requested my medical records and had on file extensive reports of all my major injuries. Now I knew why I had filed them for so many years.

It took over a year to write the book “Living Day To Day With Severe Osteoporosis”. It is a story of my medical plight with severe osteoporosis. The book explains what osteoporosis is, how I acquired the disease, and what it is has done to my life.

I am not a doctor, nor do I have any experience in the medical field. I am not attempting to imply a medical diagnosis or recommend treatment for anyone reading the book. The book is only to encourage every person (osteoporosis affects both men and women; young and old) to become educated about this bone disease before it is too late.

I also became an advocate for the National Osteoporosis Foundation. I formed a support group for my local community. We meet once a month.

I currently have rib fractures. The doctor says it will take about ten more weeks before they are healed. I still do not know what I did to break them this time. And I only try to take pain medicine at night since it makes me feel useless if taken during the day.

Now, finally, at age 50, after almost another year, my book is about to be published. After much research I chose to self-publish with a large and respectable firm. This will alow me to own the rights to my work and have control regarding the publishing, royalties, marketing, and distribution.Tomorrow I have an appointment to begin discussing the particulars with my design consultant.  I am so EXCITED!  

Having never published a book before, I expect it to be an interesting and informative journey. I look forward to sharing the ups and downs with you as I reach my ultimate goal of seeing my book in print. I hope too, that as I tell about my daily challenges with osteoporosis, you will do all you can to keep from getting it. In the meantime, if you, a family member, or a friend experience or are destined to osteoporosis- start learning about it now. It can make such a difference in your life and the lives of those around you.