Osteoblasts and osteoclasts

In Josh's last meeting with his doctor (after the scans and before the 3rd round of the "healing medicine"), we found out not only that Josh's tumor is 50% reduced in size but that there are improvements in the bone that has been affected by the noma. He said something about "blasts," but I didn't think to ask more questions until after the doctor had left the room. I spent some time talking with Isaac (Josh's "doctor" brother) in the hallway outside Josh's "healing medicine" room (can't you tell I'm taking my Change in Perspective post to heart?) about the details behind how our bones work and what the doctor must mean.

Our bones have osteoblasts which build up and osteoclasts which break down and reabsorb. Isaac explained this is simple terms that I could understand...

Picture Josh's bones as the house we (literally we - Josh, me, our family) live in. There is rarely a time when there is something not complete about the structure of the house. Josh is continuously:

1. Breaking down parts of the house (Josh has deliberately punched holes in the walls in several rooms to see what's behind them, thinking there is some open space to be used in a better way) - osteoclasts
   
   
2. Building back up (framing out the space to create new living space) - osteoblasts
   

So, for the Memorial Day holiday (in addition to attending the City of Plano Memorial Day service on Monday morning), Josh (with the help of his dad and me) did more of that breaking down and building back up.

Five years ago (or so), we put up a wall around our back patio to create a nice enclosure. But over time, it had become more of a storage area for outside stuff rather than a well-used sitting area. So this weekend, we tore down one side of that wall and put up a new, deeper wall with new Anderson windows so that we can convert the space into interior living space - our new dining room. It'll really open up the kitchen area for the hopefully soon-to-come cabinetry that Josh will build next.

Nearly complete with the siding...next up on the exterior: caulking and painting.


I won't be at Josh's next appointment this week, but hopefully Isaac can get a few more details from the doctor on what good things seem to be happening with Josh's bones.