January Ending...

The 1st month of 2020 is wrapping up & mentally I missed a lot of it.  I was recovering from pneumonia.  Then the issues with my credit card happened.  Little things kept pecking.   I had 2 medical appointments.  I've tried to keep moving.  I don't think I've been that present for most of the month.

Most of it is due to the lack of light.  My SAD hasn't fully kicked in so far, but it's there.  We've had several days of drear & it's getting to me.  I spent most of yesterday very nervous, about nothing & everything.   I don't see a way to fix this.  I've done what I can to make things brighter, but it's also the cold, wetness of the season.  It's very tiring.

That's all.  So long January.  I guess you were a fairly typical month for me.  I need better.

Cya..

Glum...

I don't like Winter, but at least it could have clear skies.   I'm tired of all the greyness.  Doing anything this time of year is hard.  I have problems focusing & not fixating.  I haven't had any really bad mornings this year, but I can feel the anxiousness.  It's just there, waiting.  I need several days of sunshine.  Then, I break even with this deficit I'm feeling.

I didn't see anything new for articles.  January is almost over.  I would really like for the sun to come back out.  These cloudy days are taking their toll.

Cya...

OT But Interesting...

This article discusses snake bites.  For the 1st time since the Victorian era scientists have figured out a new way to manufacture anti-venom.   The piece is a bit lengthy, but interesting.  

The point is due to new techniques & understandings, they have moved the treatment of snake bites forward after nearly 150 years.  Knowledge, novel approach & newer technology combined may have forever altered how snake bites are handled.  Stem cells & 3-D printers could replace milking snakes &  processing venom into anti-venom.   This could save a people, time & resources.

Snake bites have nothing to do with HIV.  However, it does show, after a century something new may develop to push a treatment forward in a previously unheard of manner.   This is why all research is pertinent.  A similar process is being applied to the treatment of cancer.  Who knows what's next?

Cya...

Drizzle...

It's been drizzling for hours.  Some level of rain is expected through the day.   So much for sunshine.   I'm really over grey days.  At least there was some sun after the fog lifted yesterday.

That's all for, take care.

Cya...

Fog...

It's a foggy morning.  It fuzzed out the houses across the street.  It's supposed to rain tonight & tomorrow.  This has been a wet January, better wet than icy.

I don't have a lot this morning.  The articles are still mostly about the new virus in China.   We'll go shopping shortly.  I'm not sure if we have anything else to do today.

Take care.

Cya...

Last Sunday In January...

This month is zipping right along.  I'm OK with that.  I need some time out from that hospital stay.   It's not as sunny as yesterday, but at least it's not raining.   Have to look for what you can.

I'll have labs drawn the 1st of February for Telemedicine.  Then I'll see them the 3rd Wednesday of the month.   I'm not sure how my labs will be after that pneumonia.  

Not much for articles.  Most are detailing with how China is using HIV meds to fight this new virus their dealing with there.   The points are vague, so Google it if you're interested.  

Cya...

Sunny Saturday Morning...

This piece is a fairly complicated article over inflammation due to HIV & the resulting impacts on cardiovascular health.   Like I said, it's complicated, but may be of interest.  It's a bit dense.

Somehow, we have sunlight this morning.  It might not last throughout the day, so I'll enjoy it now.  Winter, SAD & ongoing life BS has left me more than spent.   If I was living alone, I'd probably be in a constant tailspin, due to nerves & anxiety.   

I know we need Winter, but I hate it.  It does nothing for me.  It doesn't even kill off the bugs or grass anymore.  It just makes me miserable & tries to freeze me.   Or at least kill me off by disease.   I'm tired of being cold, sick & in drear.

Enough of that, take care.

Cya...

Another Friday Morning....

We're a third of the way through January.  It looks to be a dreary end of the month.  The forecast gives little hope for sunshine.  

We need Winter.  The cold needs to kill off the bugs & grass.  But, the drear is hard on me.  Even with every light turned on, it's still gloomy.  With our weird weather, I'm not even getting a break from allergies.  This can be very tiresome.

Cya...

Gloomy...

Yesterday's snow didn't last for long.  It was gone before noon.  I know it was cold, but at least it was bright.  January & the beginning of February are going to be a constant drearfest. 

I've done well with my SAD so far.  But after the hospital & this dark mess, it's starting to get rough.  I hate Winter.  I'm tired of the wet, cold.  More than that, I hate the grey of it all.  

That's about it for now, take care.

Cya...

A Dusting...

Well, it happened, we had our 1st snow of the season.   It's more of a light dusting than a snow.   The birds are flitting about in it.  It won't last long.  The ground's too warm & we're supposed to get rain.  So, for a few hours we'll have some white stuff.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Post Appointment...

My appointment went OK.  My pneumonia is clearing up.   My blood pressure seems to be getting back in a normal range.  The appointment was a little rushed, but that's nothing new.   He had a student doctor, so there was a distraction.  I have another appointment scheduled in June.  I hope it goes smoothly.  If so, my doctor may be able to stick around a bit longer.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Early Appointment...

I have to be out of here soon to see my doctor.  It's a regular visit & a follow-up to my hospital stay.  We'll see how it goes.  He & I haven't been on the same page for a while.  How he handles things today may decide if it's time for a new option.  We'll see.  I hate the idea of giving up a doctor, considering they seem to be getting replaced by nurse practitioners. 

I saw an article this morning on HIV+ people, who also have asthma.  It wasn't very clear to me, but I'm not up on that condition.  Give it a read, maybe it'll help if you have breathing issues.

Cya...

Another Sunday Morning...

It's chilly this morning.  It's supposed to be this way for the next few days.  Maybe it'll knock some crap out of the air & my allergies will calm down.  I doubt it, but it'd be nice.  

There wasn't much for articles this morning.   By this time tomorrow, I'll be at my doctor's office.   I hope that appointment doesn't take all morning, like last time.  I need to get past this ick.  I'd like the remainder of my post-stroke year to go a smoother.  I don't need anymore stress.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Bright Morning...

Finally, a sunny morning.  The rain has subsided for a while.  We've met our monthly rain averages.  Maybe, it'll knock some of the crap out of the air.  I start getting over pneumonia, only to have allergies go overboard.  

I have an appointment Monday.  I'm a little nervous about it.  It could be my last with this doctor.  How this goes is in his court.  He's been fairly absentee & way to checklist happy lately.  His appointments were never long, but now they really feel rushed.   If he doesn't listen to me this time, I'm going to have consider my options.   I was hoping to have a year out from my stroke before making any major medical decisions.  That seems unlikely, oh well.

Cya...

Gloomy Morning...

The fake Spring we had earlier this week is leading to a dreary weekend.   The weather is going cold again.   We'll be back below freezing overnight.  That's good.  Too many bugs are already showing up.  

Things seem to be settling down for a bit.   I hope so.  I'd like for all things new to be put on hold for a bit.  I need to deal with what's on my plate before adding more.  

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Warm...

Yesterday was warm for January. we hit 71.  It made my sinuses ache.  We went out to get something for lunch after checking mail.  Everyone in the store, everyone was sniffling.  I don't need their illness.  

The rest of the month is supposed to be about 20 degrees cooler or more.   We need a longer freeze period to kill off the weeds & bugs.  I don't like Winter, but it can at least do it's job. 

I'm still a little achy & I've been having a low grade fever.  I am a the mend.  It's just slow work recovering from pneumonia.  

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Still Sore...

I'm doing better, but I'm still sore.  I've been running a slight fever & my sinuses have decided to join the party.  It's supposed to weirdly warm today, maybe over 70 F.  That's going to suck on way back down.  

I've spent the 1st couple of weeks of 2020 being ill or recovering.  I've had a medical appointment & will have another on Monday.  I hope this isn't my year.  

It's trash day.  We'll haul the garbage to the curb later & go check mail.  Here's hoping the day goes well.  I need a good day.  Take care.

Cya...

Mending...

I'm still on the mend.  I did better yesterday than the day before.  I had less pain.  I still wore out early & had little stamina.  I woke to a slight fever last night.  It passed & I got back to sleep.  The coughing isn't as bad, but it's still here. Here's hoping my blood pressure settles soon.  

I'll see my doctor Monday.   I hope this appointment goes well.  If not, it may be my last with him.   His new arrangement isn't conducive to my needs.

That's all for now, I'm just watching squirrels & red birds this morning.  Take care.

Cya...

OW...

This pneumonia crap has left me in pain from coughing.  Yesterday evening was fairly hellish.  I barely managed to set up in the living room.   It's better this morning, but could be back later.  I'll take more ibuprofen & cough syrup.  Hopefully, that will manage the cough & pain.  

This sucks, take care.

Cya...

Cold Wet Snap

OK, not feeling as well I was.   We've been under freezing for the last 36 hours.  It's also rained over 2.5" with just the slightest appearance of snow.   I'm cold & wet.   I hate Winter as it is, but the last 2 days have been solid grey, damp & frozen.   It's supposed to warm up a bit today.  At least make it to 50 F.   What's so weird, is Friday morning my roomie waited for me in the car with the windows down.  Oklahoma weather is such pain in the ass.

That's all for now.

Cya..

Cold...

I woke up to 31 degrees & that's as warm as it's getting today.  We had over 2" of rain in the last 24 hours & could see some winter weather.  There could be snow.

I'm no fan of cold weather.  With that & being ill, most of my day will be spent near the heaters, under blankets.   It's not being easy to stay warm while recovering from this crap.  My blood pressure is still staying lower than normal.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

HIV Amnesia...

I thought this piece was about about cognitive issues.  No, it  detailed something very dangerous.   In the study, people with HIV, even those on a regimen, can lose their immunities to illnesses.   This focused on smallpox.  Some participants had been vaccinated against smallpox.   Still, HIV made their T-cells forget their immunity.  

They found similar things in children versus measles, even the flu. This could be devastating.   Any of these childhood diseases or small pox, could kill a healthy person.  For a person with a compromised immunity, the risks are higher.

Read this article.   Get vaccinated against whatever you can.  Give yourself every advantage.  HIV is actively taking them away.  This could explain how I keep getting pneumonia even after having the vaccinations.   At least what I do contract isn't as severe as it could be.

Cya...

PS - recovery still in progress.

Between Appointments...

My appointment went well yesterday.  The nurse practitioner told me to keep doing what I had been & to take my blood pressure meds as my BP would allow it.  I'm not feeling healed, but much better. I go back on the 20th to see my doctor.  Hopefully, my BP will be normal (for me) again.  

During this, my Chase card has decided to be a bitch.  It screwed up & they didn't notify me.  I got a denied at a store.  I called & thought it was fixed.  5 days later it happened again.  I think it's fixed, we'll see.  Chase needs to stop being so difficult.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Appointment & Article...

This will be brief.  I have a follow-up appointment this morning with my doctor's nurse practitioner.   We'll see how  that goes.  I have an established appointment with my  doctor on the 20th.  

This piece details how people in New York have drastically reduced the time between diagnosis & treatment.  This will benefit the patients' health  & lower their risk of transmission.  It's a decent read.

Take care.

Cya..

Another Step...

The bills are handled for the month, it's nice to have that out of the way.  I'm still on the mend.  Last time I had pneumonia, it was weeks before I felt really well.   I have a follow-up appointment tomorrow.  It'll be the 1st time I see my doctor's new Nurse Practitioner.  I'll see my doctor on the 20th.

I'm having to face something.  I've become very apprehensive about my local hospital.  It nerves me out.   The staff was mostly fine, but not once did I see a doctor.   The place wasn't clean enough.  There were rusted out places on the door jam to the bathroom.  You see into the wall cavity.  There were water spots on the ceiling.  I was more worried about mold & mrsa than getting well.  I'm not sure I can do that again.  I'm just not sure what my options are.

That's all for now.

Cya...

Sick, Busy 1st Of Month...

Even though I'm sick, the bills have to be handled.  The 1st of the month is always busy, especially with a holiday.  Then add being ill.  This isn't being easy.  

I'm feeling better each day, but I'm still achy, tired & a coughy.  I need to make a follow up appointment for sometime this week.  Good luck to me on that.  My blood pressure's better, but it's still weird.

That's about all for now, more tomorrow. Take care.

Cya...

Not 100%...

It's been 9 days since this pneumonia showed.  I was admitted Monday morning, so tomorrow will be a week.   I'm feeling significantly better than I did 3 days ago.  But, I'm still not well.   This is slow & achy going.  I'll be glad to be passed this crap.  It's making me deal with doctors too much.  Only so much of their white coats I can stand.

Take care.

Cya...

Ouch...

Recovery is slow & exclamations of pain & other expletives.  It's like being an arthritic sloth.  But, I am slowly getting better.  Monday, I'll call for a check in with my doctor's office.  That's about all for now.  I want this to be over, it seriously hurts.

Cya...

2020 Anniversary...

The blog is 9 years old, it'd be in upper elementary.   I've stuck to very few things this long.  These posts are a testament to my life with HIV.  It's my memory.  This has been a rough year & I hoping for better.  It's being an experience.

This is my 20th HIV-Day.  A lot has changed since the beginning.   I'm in the largest group of those living with HIV, the 50+ crowd.  Maybe 1 day, this virus will die off with us.  This is Survivor & we mean to outlast.  It'd be nice, if someday people didn't have to worry about this virus anymore.  Here's to the upcoming year, cheers & hoorah!  Raise a glass!

Thank you for reading.

Cya...

Busy...

This beginning  of the month is being extra busy because of my recovery & an issue that arose with a bill.   We may have to change a way we handle some of it.  That'd cut a little chaos out the equation.  I don't have a lot to post about.   I'm still getting better, but it's slow.

Take care.

Cya.. 

Recovering...

I don't have much to post this morning.  I'm slowly recovering.   I managed not to sack out every couple of hours.  I ate well & stayed hydrated.  I'm tolerating the meds they had me get.  My blood pressure is still odd. I think that's about it.  Hope everyone is doing well.

Cya...

2020 ...

The New Year is here.  2019 doesn't get any more chances to kill me.  This morning, I'm home from the hospital.  I'm recovering.  The old cat has hovered since I've got home.  She's be doing something since I got sick, she's been sleeping adjacent to me.  She hasn't done that in years.  Last night, I woke to weight on my feet.  There she was for the night.

I'm trying slowly to get back to normal.   I managed to handle morning things.  The inside cats & a porch cat were fed.  I'm not sure what our plans are today, if any.

I've forgotten to mention an anniversary.  In mid December 1999, I stopped smoking.  I haven't had 1 since.   I have been a non-smoker for 20 years. 

Take care & a Happy New Year.

Cya...