Goodbye November...

November is almost gone.  There's December & then 2019's only a memory.  This wasn't an easy month or year.  Still this month deserves to be acknowledged.  It won't return, next year's November will be a very different thing.  

The rain is supposed to let up by noon.  We'll be over the average rain totals again.  Tuesday, I have a neuro appointment in Tulsa.  I'm not sure if I'll have more after or what.

There weren't many articles.  Tomorrow is World AIDS Day.  Have you been tested recently? 

Take care & goodbye November.

Cya...

Dismal Wind Down...

Thanksgiving's over & the last 2 days of the month look to be a dreary, wet mess.  After that, only 31 days remain in 2019.  I'd ask for 2020 to better, but I don't think that's going to happen.  For several years, it's been a downhill slide.  Not much has been pushing upwards.  It'd be nice if the next year wasn't a bad 12 months, but I'm not holding my breath.

Sorry, for the downer.  I hope everyone had a good holiday & got home safely.  Good luck with the rest of the year.

Cya...

Turkey Day...

This brief article details how half of European HIV+ women were diagnosed late.  That means several things, the virus has more time to establish itself & cause damage.  It also allows more opportunity for the virus to be spread.   The reasons why these women are diagnosed late are varied from social issues, poor access, to lacking of awareness on their part & the medical professionals they see.  This is a problem.   Earlier diagnosis means better health & less change of further spread.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.  Be safe & travel well.  It's raining here, but a lot of areas have wintry issues.

Cya...

WTF & Out...

There are articles out about a sperm-bank in New Zealand.  I won't support the validity of this concept with a link.  IMO, it's dangerous.  The bank will accept sperm from HIV+ men.  It's touting undetectable equals untransmittable.  They will test to insure donors are undetectable.

I wouldn't trust this.  They have no idea of the long term health effects.  Several pieces have talked about children born to HIV+ mothers on regimens.   The children didn't contract the virus, however it wasn't all clear.  These children are at a greater risk for obesity, asthma & cognitive issues.  It hasn't been possible for HIV+ women to birth HIV- babies for long, who knows what else will show.  Why would anyone think HIV+ sperm, even if undetectable, would be without risks?  

OK, that mini-rant is over.  I have to be out of here shortly.  My roomie's in Fort Smith.  We'll spend some time with a friend & then head back.   Tomorrow, I'll cook for us. 

That's all, take care & if be safe this holiday.

Cya...

They Don't Know...

I've blogged a lot about HIV awareness & education.  Still, society has moved more towards pure prevention, mostly via treatment.  Maybe those people should read this article.  According to this piece, Gen Z & later millennials have a much lower understanding of the virus than previous generations.  

28% avoid hugging, talking to or being friends with a HIV+ person

30% prefer not to interact socially with someone HIV+

41% Gen Z people said were not well informed about HIV, which differs from the 23% of the older millennials 

67% were most concerned about HIV compared to other STIs,  54% said they don’t use condoms or PrEP 

75% millennials & 60% Gen Z people overall living with HIV contracted via sex without condoms or PrEP

The rest of the article goes on about how some are trying to counter these stats.  It details the writer's frustrations.  30+ years of HIV & this is where we're at.  Yes, that's frustrating.  HIV will only be beaten by information & awareness.  No amount of medicine alone will solve this problem.

Cya... 

 

 

Holiday Week...

Thursday's Thanksgiving.  We have plans with a friend for the holiday.  Nothing big, but we usually don't do big.   Holidays are changing.  They aren't what they used to be.  It feels a little rushed, but it's lacking the anticipation.

For those of travelling, be safe.  I hope you have a great holiday.  Make memories & share tales.  

That's all I have for now, take care.

Cya...

NYC Low...

There've been many articles over NYC's record low HIV infection rates.  Their numbers haven't been this low in over a decade.    People should be happy.

I'm hesitant.  With HIV, when a milestone is met, people tend to slack off & things reverse.  Except, the swingback is often worse.  When people hear good news about HIV, they relax.  That's the opportunity the virus needs. I wonder if we'll see the same headlines 5 years down the road?

While this is good news, we've been here before.  Will it hold?  I wouldn't hold my breath.

Cya...

Grey...

I woke to drear.  There isn't much going today.  It cooled down, but that was expected.  Thanksgiving is Thursday, but I'm not really into it.   I know it's there & I've got the food, but I'm just not feeling.  I doubt we'll do anything.  We don't anymore. 

We tried for a while to make sure we got out somewhere different at a couple times a month.  We haven't done that in a long time.  That needs to change.  Besides online people, all I have is shopping or medical crap.  That's not worth it.

I'm trying to do my best this season not to get too down.  I'm not really, I'm just being realistic.  There's nothing left here for me.  Used to, I'd felt the only things I'd miss about this area were my doctor & mechanic.  I don't have those any more.  This place has never been home for me. 

I guess this holiday, I'll be trying to find things to feel thankful for.   Their numbers are dwindling.

Cya...

And Again...

According to this post, due to a sterilization error more than 1,000 patients in an Indiana hospital may have exposed to HIV, hepatitis & more.  How many times does this have to happen?

My crown was finished yesterday.  It still feels weird.  It will for a while.  It's been raining since last night.  It may throughout the day.  We've had nearly an inch.   It's supposed to cool back down again.  Oh well, it is the end of November.

Take care.

Cya..

Rush Morning...

No time this morning, I have to get over to Fort Smith.  The dentist is fitting the permanent crown today.  I'm happy this is almost handled & the temp only had to be put back on once.   I'm staring at the screen right now & not much is coming to mind.  I really don't like waking up in the dark.

Take care.

Cya...

Midweek...

Nothing much is going on today.  We'll have to handle trash later.   That'll be about it.   It'll be an early morning tomorrow.  I have a dentist appointment to get my crown finished.  

I didn't see much in the way of articles.  I saw another person arrested for infecting others.  If you fail to inform you should be prosecuted.  If you infect them, you should be jailed for a very long time.  I'm not trying to take away anyone's responsibility.   You should always use a condom.  However, if you're HIV+ & you don't inform, IMO, you are a criminal.  You are endangering your partner's well being.

That's all, take care.

Cya...

Simple Piece & Plans...

This piece is simple & not very informative.  It's about the 1st time a clinician had to inform a patient they were HIV+.  It somewhat covered prevention & how many people still haven't been tested.  It wasn't groundbreaking, but it was important because it was the start of a conversation.  

We don't talk about HIV much anymore.  We make commercials & stand on soap boxes. But actual conversations have been lacking.  Talking & education will raise awareness & help in the fight against HIV as many as medication.   Why is that so hard to understand?

So far, we have nothing to do today.  Tomorrow is trash.  Thursday morning, I'll go to my dentist to finish this crown.   Friday will be shopping.   Next week will be Thanksgiving.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

No Big Secret...

Over time, you have to accept some ugly truths about people.  Articles detail the major obstacles for those living with HIV.  They face homelessness, food insecurity, inability to access doctors/meds, stigma, financial strain.  The issue isn't they're HIV+, the problem is society is callous & depraved.

Those issues are faced by people around the world who don't have HIV.   The same issues people have always faced.  If this country wanted, it could've ended these issues for everyone.  But, we live in a world that hates the poor.   They further victimize the unfortunate.   The world that is like a weird coliseum.   We watch to see how long the poor can outlast their fate.  We observe, we boo & laugh when they fall.

Truth is, most people are monsters.  They may not attack you, but they'd gladly watch as get mauled.   They'd sell popcorn & charge viewing fees.  Shows like The Purge & Hunger Games are popular, because some people would really like to see it happen.  That's our world.

It's not a secret, just a horrible truth.

Cya..

Downhill Now...

2019 is winding down.  There are only 11 days til Thanksgiving, 38 for Christmas & 44 left in the year.   That's not much.

I forgot, on the 13th, I was 9 months out from my stroke.  There are still some issues.  My left arm, leg & part of my back can still have issues.  I don't know if that's from the stroke or the reaction to the statins.  It mainly happens if I do too much or the humidity's really high.

We don't have a lot this week.  There'll be some errands.  On Thursday, I'll get the permanent crown on my tooth.   Hopefully, that will be that for a while. 

That's all for now.  Take care.

Cya...

Icky Friday...

I went to the pharmacy for a prescription.  While there, I got my flu shot.  Normally, these things are just get the shot & it's over for me.  However, this time there were issues.  Within in a few hours, I felt like I had the most minor case of the flu you could contract.  It wasn't pleasant.  There were aches, chills, a slight fever, nausea & diarrhea. 

I feel better this morning, but that wasn't fun at all.  I'd also like to mention again how nice it is to get my meds at an actual physical location instead of having them shipped.  So far, I've had no major drama with this set up.  I hope it stays that way.  I don't miss CVS Speciality at all. 

Take care.

Cya...

Serious Blank..

I was drawing a blank about what to write about this morning.  There was nothing new in the way of articles.  There's nothing happening in my life at the moment that needs mentioning.   The weather isn't great, but not horrible.

Lately, it feels like I'm just floating along in a sea of nothing.  I hit occasional patches of stressful disruptions.  Once the bad things are handled, I'm back to the nothing.  I don't look forward to things any more.  I don't really go any where.  I don't even go in & eat at places any more.  I'm at home, in the car, a medical office or occasionally at a store.  That's my life.  

I have nothing to write about this morning.  Maybe something will be there tomorrow.  Take care.

Cya...

Another Cold Morning...

Not much going on this morning.   It was just above freezing when I woke.  We're supposed to have a couple more of the frigid overnights & then back into normal November weather.  These Arctic blasts can stay in the North.  We don't want them.  I'm glad this is a do-nothing day, we need it.  

Take Care.

Cya...

Poof...

There were articles this morning.  Every time I'd clicked, the link, the site said the piece couldn't be found.  I have no idea if any them were good.  It's annoying when hosts lose pieces or have broken links.  

1 topic was the overly idealist idea of eradicating HIV by 2030.  I agree with the idea.  It's not likely HIV will ever be eradicated due to the refusal of the world to be consistent.  HIV is a virus that will have to be handled everywhere simultaneously or it will pop up somewhere else, like whack-a-mole.  I don't see any universal push coming with today's politics.

I have to go to Fort Smith.  I need to get around & take out trash.  It's still frigid.  It was in the low 20s earlier.  We're supposed to get above freezing by 11.  We allegedly broke freezing yesterday, I'm not sure about though.    It'll be cold for several more days & then back to more seasonal  temps.

Take care.

Cya...

Frigid, Awfuls...

It got cold last night.  It was our 1st dip into the teens this season.  We might not get above freezing today.  It won't get any warmer until tomorrow.  I hate cold weather. 

November continues to be a month of breakage.  While dealing with the roof issues, dental crowns & van crap, my monitor decides it's time to quit.  As I'm coming to terms with that while shopping yesterday, I notice the soles of my shoes are coming off.  Another pair of shoes was added to the list.  At least I found them on a Veteran's Day sale.

We were lucky, we didn't get any wintry mix the forecast had called for.  That would've be more bad.  I did manage to get most the holiday dinner shopping handled.   

Take care.

Cya...

Wet & Frigid...

Woke to more wet drear.  It's only going to get colder.  Yesterday we got into the 70s, by tonight we could be down into the teens. I hate this kind of weather.  We could have some light, wintry mix.  The forecast was better this morning is better than it looked last night.

We have to go shopping.  My roomie has to go over to Fort Smith sometime this week & I'm going to need a new monitor.  Mine is old & dying.  I hope whatever we end up doing, the weather doesn't get bad.

That's all for now.  Take care.

Cya... 

Quiet Sunday...

This weekend has been quiet & we needed that.  This year's been both tedious & overwhelming.  For now, things are going OK.  I guess that's the best we're going to get.  Still trying to pound out Thanksgiving dinner, but we've got some ideas.  

That's about it for now.  Hope you had a nice weekend.

Cya..

Yeah, Really...

This article reports American Gene Technology  has developed a developed a potential cure for HIV.  Going by the company name, I'm assuming it's a genetic application.  None of the articles offered much.  The company is supposed to be filing with the FDA for approval to start testing.   

Sorry, for so little info, but the articles were blips.  Is this real?  Will it work?  I don't know.  Even if it does, it's years out.  It doesn't look like the FDA's part has even started yet.  So, don't hold your breath on this.

Cya...

Another Chilly Morning...

The 1st week of November is over & I'm still not feeling the holidays.  I'm cold but not festive.  Not that I'm ever that into it.  I'm not hating on it, I'm just sort of indifferent.  With everything going on, I'm just too spent to care about much.  If things come down for a bit, I might. 

The heater was on last night.  We needed it, but my breathing never likes heaters.  They always mess with my sinuses.    Hopefully, this won't be some hellish Winter.  Just let it get cold enough to kill off the bugs & grass.  

That's all for now.  

Cya...

US vs Gilead...

This piece details how the US government is suing Gilead over it's PrEP medications, including Truvada.  Apparently, there was some substantial monies involved from the US Department of Health & Human Services.  As well as some violations of patents owned at least in part by the department.

I'm not sure what the outcome of this might be.  It seems like more & more people are getting sick of Gilead's tactics.  I don't have any interest in PrEP, but this could be a precedent for other meds as well.   It's worth watching.

It's raining & has been for almost a day.  I'm tired of the drear.  Take care.  The van's back & so far it's still working.  It needed a new battery.  I wish they'd done that 1st time.  

Cya...

Article & Updates...

There were articles this morning.  There were some about a new sub-strain of HIV found in Africa.  At this point, most of the info was just blips.  Still, it's interesting.

This piece discussed the FDA giving approval for a new type of HIV test.   It would not only determine status, but also check if the strain was drug resistant.  It could help determine what meds a person takes to control the virus.  

I'm supposed to pick up the van today.  It seems to be a battery issue.  I hope so.  I had my cholesterol tested.  Everything was about the same, except my triglycerides were a little out of range.  I've also been eating a lot of sweets.  I watch that & retest in a few months.  Hopefully, that'll handle it.

Of course, it's dreary & raining again.

Cya...

Busy...

It's going to be a rushed morning.  I have to go out in just a minute so I can get labs drawn.  Then I have to get back & call the mechanic again, so he can come get the van.  I hope this time it'll get fixed & not cost a fortune.  

Yesterday wasn't fun.  I didn't know anything about things until late afternoon.  I was on the way to the dentist office to have my temporary crown put back on after it came loose.  It wasn't a good day.

That's it for now.  I have to go & quickly get back.

Cya...

Not Great Monday...

I still haven't got my blood work done.  The van battery is messed up again.  I don't when I'm going to get either of those handled.  I'm tired of this stuff being on my to-do list.  

This is very frustrating.  It feels like all I do is handle stuff.  More & more gets dumped on me & I don't have a lot of help.   I'm sure a lot of people are in this situation.  

I'm cutting this short before it turns into a full on rant.  Hopefully, I can figure out something tomorrow.  Take care.

Cya...

Fallback...

The time change reverted & i'm definitely not a fan.  My roomie is.  I hate the fact it'll be dark before 6 & eventually by 4 PM. I'd definitely live closer to Heat Miser than his brother.  

I didn't see much in the way of articles this morning.  I'm glad we have a do-nothing day.  The end of October was stressful & we need a break.

That's about it for now, more tomorrow.

Cya...

Responsibility For Self...

Often, I find articles about how the medical community has failed some group.   It doesn't matter if it's people of color, women, trans, etc...  Somehow medical professionals are the only entities being held responsible in the fight against HIV.

Yes, doctors, clinicians & hospitals could do more to promote HIV treatment & prevention.  But, so could other social institutions.  For a long time, I've believed a person is ultimately responsible for their own health & well-being.  Sometimes circumstances might prevent that.  But if they can be, they should be the one's promoting their own welfare. 

After decades of HIV education & prevention, when are adults  held reasonably responsible for their own health?  Why isn't it  their task to seek out an HIV test?   We expect them to go get a flu shot, why not this?  An HIV test is a medical procedure, not some mysterious, occult practice. 

Medical professionals should ask everyone their status & when they were last tested.    They should assume every individual is at risk & proceed accordingly.  However, every capable adult should seek out these things on their own.  Their health is ultimately their responsibility.  

Cya...

November Is Here...

November's here & the holiday season has officially begun.  We'll change time on Sunday.  Vet's day is 11th.  Thanksgiving is practically in December.  

I'll have my crown finished on the 21st.  This month is starting off cold.  I don't have high hopes for it.   The rest of the year has been fairly challenging, I don't see that changing now.  It'd be nice though.

We have shopping to handle this morning.  We'll stop by & check the mail, maybe grab a bite.  Other than that, hopefully nothing.  This week has been tiring, like the rest of October.

Goodbye October, Hello November.

Cya...