Bye September...

 

I'm happy to say this is it for September.  It's never a good month for, me but this year was just so extra.  Too bad a lot of the month's ick will fall into October.  It'd be nice for this stuff to get handled & October to be as drama free as possible.

Weird light, allergies & early appointments have worn me out.  My roomie has some stuff scheduled in just a bit, so this is it.  BTW, got the eye exam & new glasses ordered.   The new script is nearly the same as it was, but slightly weaker.

Take care.

Cya...

Busy Last Monday...

 

The next 2 days are going to be rushed.  We have appointments & errands.   We'll go shopping in a bit & then head out for my eye appointment.  Tomorrow will start earlier & last longer.  Wednesday will have some stuff on it & a friend may be over Thursday.  Friday will shopping & 1st of the month stuff.   

September was a difficult month this year.  It usually is for me, but not normally this busy.  Fall suckage is in full swing.

That's it for now, take care.

Cya...

Pause Before Busy...

 

There shouldn't be anything going on today.  That all changes tomorrow.  There will be shopping, appointments, car stuff, meds & bills.  This last month has been very tiring.  I hope October isn't as bad.  I'll be dealing with less light as it is.  I'm beginning to wonder if ever not feeling tired & overextended will ever be a thing for me again.  

That's about it for this morning.  The articles were mostly repeats, but that's not uncommon for a Sunday.  Take care.

Cya...

National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness & Guidelines....

 

Today is the National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness day.  Here are a couple of pieces with info, POZ & HIV.gov. This day deals with the disproportionate numbers of Gay/BI men with HIV.  As well as the specific issues & needs of this group.

#NGMHAAD is Saturday, September 27. Gay and bisexual men account for 58% of people living with HIV in the U.S. They made up 66% of new cases in 2023, and most were in the South.

I'm not sure where POZ got their numbers, but if they're even close, it's a problem  MSM are the most apt to be diagnosed.  There are points on other matters such as age & ethnic/racial background.  These are good pieces, give them a read.

HIV.gov updated their guidelines for the use of antiretrovirals in adults & adolescents.  This is not an easy read.  It's dense, complex & written for a fairly professional audience.   There might be info here for you.   I'd at least scan it & save it.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Last Friday Of September...

 

Since Wednesday, we've been in the lasts of the month.  We've left the time of Virgo & entered Libra.  We're going deeper into the awful 'Ber months & dark of the year.  The light is fading fast.  I really hate this.  

I have an eye appointment on Monday.  Here's hoping nothing screws up before or during.  My eyes may have changed a little but my glasses seem fine.  I'll find out then.

Heading out for shopping, so this is it for now. Take care.

Cya...

More & Newer...

 

After yesterday's post, I realized there are resources on sites like Facebook & X I've never mentioned, like HIVgov on Facebook.  There are many more on both platforms, like living with HIV 50+, just google your interest area concerning HIV & the social media sites.  A search for HIV & your area, might find resources pages for things near you.

The newer topic is with this article.  Recently there's been a lot of posting about ART-Free HIV remission.  ART (antiretroviral therapy) has been in the forefront HIV & varied in their methods.  This newer approach would like to employ BNAB or Broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies to suppress the virus throughout the body.  From what's been posted so far, it would be more like limited ART than ART-Free.  ARTs are too good at limiting the viral load not to employ to give the BNAB a shot at doing their job.  This could also be combined with long acting ART injections.

This is still in the research stage, but it is a step.  Sometimes steps are all we can take.  Hopefully they can trudge this bit forward & hold their ground until the next step can be taken.  Approaches like this could further the fight against HIV & may even lead to  possible cure someday.

Take care.

Cya....

International Aids Society...

 

I'm posting about a group I don't think I've ever written about before.  I knew very little about them.  However, with the policies of the orange stain, groups like this will become more & more relevant in any action concerning HIV or AIDS.  The group is the International AIDS Society & this is their page.

They started in the late 80s out of Stockholm & now are headquartered in Geneva Switzerland.  Unlike many groups I've posted about, this organization is truly global.  While the US has a presence, it isn't the dominant voice. 

This page talks about ongoing research & activities from a worldly perspective, not just an American lens.  There are resources & webinars.  It's interesting & worth a read.

Take care.

Cya...

4th Tuesday Morning...

 

Tuesdays must of been on sell this month, we're getting 5 of them.  Just what we needed, more Tuesdays.  The car's at the mechanic.  Hopefully this gets that thing working.  I'm tired of seeing the shop.  I'm sure they're sick of us & that car.

Other than car business, there shouldn't be much going on today.  As soon as this all gets settled, I need to make an eye appointment.  We've just had a lot on our plates for some time.  It should just be a routine exam.  My glasses seem fine for the time being.

That's about it, so take care.

Cya....

Oh Joy, Fall's Back...

Fall is here & I'm sure some people are happy about it.  I'm not among that kind.  I'm not a pumpkin spice slut, a fan of drear, darkness or the damp.  Autumn may be necessary, but it isn't pretty.  It's nothing but littering, shedding & rot.  It's the compost season of the year.  These are the months when everything scurries about trying to gather enough to survive the hell months of Winter.  The 'Ber & 'Ary months aren't my friends.

I did find a few articles, but for some reason the host pages were having issues.  Maybe I'll find them later.   It's hard enough finding pieces without sites crapping out.

So, hello Autumn, do try not to suck.

Cya...

Summer Ending...

 

Today is the final day of the season.  I hate this.  It wasn't much of a Summer.  Neither was last year's.  It stayed dark almost to July, with haze & rain.  Then it jumped into the heat & made everything steamy.  But was never really that sunny for long, just hot.  

It was a hard season of loss, expense, breakage & hurrying about.  It wore me out & depleted resources.  I needed Summer to recharge & that didn't happen.  Now we're heading into the dark of the year.  I really wish I could just sleep through it.  Precious little, if any, good will come out of it for me.

It's a hazy, warm & muggy.   There have been so few pleasant days this year.

Cya...

PS - I forgot to write that I finally got my new card in from the state for the Goprogram on Friday.  That was only month after they emailed to inform me it was coming.

A Practical Piece...

 

An important site for HIV+ people is the HIV Information page at the National Institutes of Health (hivinfo.nih.gov/.  It's a .gov site.  It hosts a lot of data for those living with the virus.  It posted today about Travelling Safely With HIV.

There are a more issues for + people in this situation.  There are logistics, legalities & safety plan needs.  This piece discusses making plans for travel starting months ahead.  The issue here is that it starts with the would-be traveller being as prepared & aware as possible.  It concerns meds, local food/water issues, legalities or cultural worries...?  There are still countries that prohibit entry of HIV+ people.

This is a well written piece for anyone looking to travel abroad.  Give it a read.  Any safe vacation or journey starts with your preparation.   

Take care.

Cya...

CDC Rec...

 

I've never been a big advocate or PrEP over other means of HIV prevention.  However, if taken properly, the regimen is effective.  Adherence is a big "If" here.   Regimen maintenance is not high on a lot of people's list & it can lead to issues in prevention.

It shouldn't be surprising, the CDC is recommending the long acting injectable lencapavir, Yeztugo.  Gilead's med could be a part of a real game changer in prevention strategy.   This article is a clinical abstract on the matter. 

It's a new stance by the agency.  Give the piece a read.  That's all for now.

Cya...

For The Moment...

 

The nights have had soaring humidity levels.  This has caused my feet to swell.  It's been rough keeping my feet in good shape this season.   After all that, I wake up dehydrated.  Oh well, that's the time of year.  It'd be nice if the humidity & ragweed died down some.

For me, at least, today's mostly a nothing day.  My roomie has an appointment in town.  That may or may not develop into more on the the to-do list.  But for now, my day looks fairly easy.   Maybe that'll hold.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Getting Back...

 

When you're chronically ill & have a hard, exhausting period, recovery isn't a 1 to 1 process.  A good night's rest & a less challenging day doesn't undo hard day that left you depleted.  It may take 2 or 3 times that to actually feel normal again.  Well, at least what's normal for you.  Being constantly that sick is already depleting.  You're already running on fumes most the time.  Add to that, a very demanding day with a lot of stressors of whatever nature & you're in a deficit.  

If you can, you try to maintain a fairly even recovering of expenditure.   But hard days burn you out quick.  It takes days of rest & less than normal activity for you to catch up.  For anyone not dealing with a chronic illness, count yourself lucky & be patient.  If you can't be patient & kind, just shut up or stay away.  You're pushing, complaining & drama only slows down the process.   Some people are as much of a drain as any hardship.

This last few months, hell years, have been crap & recovery has been all but impossible.  I keep waking up & hoping for nothing days, so I can catch a little bit more.  It's been really challenging for a while now.

Cya...

& Next...

 

My roomie's appointment well & different than she expected.  That means no more appointments until next week.   She has an appointment on Monday & the car has to be back in then as well.  The rest of this week is normal stuff.  It'll just be in the van.  I need to get an eye exam soon & get a new prescription.  It'd be nice if nothing else screwed up this week.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Late Post...

 

We had an odd start, so this post is late.  A friend ran my roomie to her appointment, because the van had to go in for repairs & the car is still having issues.  This day is off.

It's been a rough month & this will be a brief post.  I'm just going to try & catch up on some rest today & do as little as possible.  I'm used to the time around my birthday being rough, but not most of the whole month.

That's it for now, take care.

Cya...

Off Schedule Morning...

 

The beginning of this week is going to be busy.  We're having to go shopping this morning instead of tomorrow.   Tomorrow, we'll need to take the van to the mechanic & head over for an appointment.  For the moment, other than normal stuff, that should be it for the week.  Still, it's ramping things up with early mornings.

There's some drama going on in our lives at the moment.  It doesn't directly entail me, but it could affect our household.  It's hard to tell how things will play out.  I hope once all is said & done, the troublesome party is shut out for good.  All some people can ever do is bring you stress, issues & harm.  

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Needed That...

 

After a rough week & off sleep, I crashed last night & overslept this morning.   We still have more than usual this week, so it may happen again.  I needed the sleep.

There was an accident near us.  I normally hear the trash truck coming & about 10 minutes later going.  It wakes me both times.  Thursday morning it only woke me once.  I was asleep, so I didn't notice.  We saw it as we were leaving for an appointment.  The truck had overturned just blocks away from us, down an embankment to mostly dry creek bed.  2 of the men were injured and taken away.   The driver had died.  It's unknown what caused the wreck.  It's weird to think I'll never hear that driver again.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Short & Late....

 

After too many rushed, early mornings, I overslept.  I need to get around, so I can handle shopping & errands.  We'll be driving the car today, hope it works well.

This early stuff isn't over yet.  I'll have to shop on Sunday instead of Monday.   We need to get the van to the mechanic & then go to an appointment for my roomie.  September is being so busy & there's more stuff ahead.  

That's all, take care.

Cya...

More & Appointments...

 

It'll be brief this morning.  We got the car back yesterday.  I guess we'll see if it's fixed.  Now the van is having light issues.  The interiors lights keep flashing on when the car's turned off.  I can't get it in until Monday.  Of course that's another appointment date.  This month is sucking.

I have to get around & get going soon.  Take care.

Cya...

Of Course It Did...

 

We went out for to see a movie yesterday.  It was for my birthday.  Between my birthday bad luck & the car's BS lately, I was pretty anxious about the trip.  I nearly suggested just not going.  The car started fine, but it stalled out on us on the way home.  It started again, but it still died. 

Fall is here & I'm already having issues.  This car drama is ramping up.  It's getting hard for me to go do things.  I'm just too anxious about the damn car breaking down.  

My Autumn issues are here.  The ragweed is hellish.  The car issues are stupidly frustrating.  I'm not sleeping as well as I'd like.  We had to get up early to run the car back to mechanic for the umpteenth time.  I'm tired, nervous & just want to stop.  I'm getting close to the point where I just can't anymore.

That's my beginning of September, my beginning of 59 & like always it sucks horribly.  I'm pretty sure my birthday hates me.  At best it's just blah, most of the time, it screws me over.  Well September, I'm not overly fond of you either,.

Cya...

Another Outing...

 

We'll be heading out soon.  This is a postponed venture for my birthday.  It having anything to do with that day makes me nervous.   It'd be nice if this went  drama-free.

We're going to see a move, it's been a bit.  Then we'll grab something to eat.  This will wrap up my birthday stuff.  That will leave another outing on Thursday for my roomie.

This is being a busy week.  That's it for now.  Take care.

Cya...

Busy Week & Mid Month...

 

It's going to be a busy week.  Besides our normal errands & shopping,  we'll have an outing tomorrow & an appointment on Thursday.   The following Monday will be another out of town appointment.  This is going to packed, add to that the car's acting up.  

It was a brighter, but cooler morning.  It could've been nice if every bit of racket hadn't happened.  The street department was doing something loud for a while.  Outdoor cats were fighting & buses ran.   I needed a good morning, as if that was going to happen.

It's Fall, the light & weather are weird, ragweed is awful, we just got our 1st dose of the Shingles vaccine & there's a lot to do while the car is being a pain.  I'm anxious & spent.  It's trying everything I've got.  The only way I ever get crap-free day is by doing nothing & not leaving the house.  Even that screws up half the time.

Here's hoping for an easy week.  If not, at least a salvageable & solvable week.   If the car screws up, let them be able to find & fix it without breaking the bank.  It'd be nice for things to work.

Cya...

7 Days Down...

 

We're 7 days into September & being 59.  I'm still not liking either very well.  I'm tired of it always being, "well things could be worse."  I'm waiting for the things are better phase of it all.  If that even exists.

When you're continually on the ass-end of things you start to wonder if there anything else.  Are all these good things & times people talk about just fictions they make up to rub in your face.  Or is there something about you that makes you incapable of having that life.  Did you do something to make you "unworthy" of the "good stuff?"

Whatever the answer to those meddlesome thoughts, it doesn't really matter.  Because what you have are the poor to awful aspects of life on your plate.  Maybe you served yourself, maybe you didn't.  Does it really matter at this point? 

I'm not sure what lies ahead for the rest of this year.  It'd be nice if things settled down some or even improved a bit.  I doubt that will happen, so I'll settle for just not getting worse.   To bad that's the most likely thing to happen.

Take care.

Cya...

Ugh Grey Morning...

 

The weather & light are changing.  Last night's alleged rain never showed.  The air's heavy & wet.  From everything already going on this week, this morning & ragweed; I feel like I've been dehydrated & pounded out.   It's dark this morning & won't get sunny today.  I doubt I feel much better later, maybe tomorrow. 

Darker, wetter, chillier, allergy ridden are all good descriptors of recent days.  I didn't ask for any of that.  Again, I hate Fall, it only leads to Winter.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Glum...

 

Things aren't going the best for me at the moment.  Between car issues, darkening skies, weird weather & a busy schedule, I'm just frazzled.  I'm trying to hold it together, but I don't think I'm doing that well.

Besides my roomie & cat, there's very little I don't have a certain level of disdain for as things stand.  The car, the season, the weather, life in general...  If there were serious options, I think I could let go of most, if not all of it.

Fall's arriving & I don't have hopes for it.  I just have dread & resentment.  Maybe things will go better than I expect.  That would be a nice surprise.  But, it being nice, makes very unlikely to happen for me.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Swing Weather...

 

The weather has been swaying back & forth from warm to cold, high to low humidity, & varying light levels.  Mabon or Autumn equinox may nearly 3 weeks away, but Fall weather is here.  It's shifting from 60s at night to nearly 90 during the day.  The humidity is ranging from 30% - 90+%.  It's so cloudy, the light's shifting throughout the day. 

All of that plus ragweed is making things hard.  Pour on some car drama & I not doing so great.  It'd be nice if something could just cooperate.  That's not going to happen.

Had my telemed appointment.   Everything went as expected.  They want me to get the shingles vaccination.  I'll see about getting that started.  It's a 2 dose process.    I'll see them again in 6 months.

That's it for now, take care.

Cya...

Lunch Outing...

 

We went out for lunch yesterday.  It was a birthday outing for me.  We liked the place & the food.  It went well until we were ready to leave.  The car had a bit of an issue.  This is getting old & causing me too much stress.  I need things to work.  They don't have to be great, just do what they're supposed to do.  Or at least screw up enough the mechanics can figure out what's wrong with it.  

Later that night, we had the remainder of the dessert we'd gotten for my day.  Almost immediately after, I got sick.  It was  weird, I never felt nauseous.  I just felt it coming on, got to the bathroom & threw up.  I was a bit weakened afterwards, but not queasy.  It left me with a very rough throat.   My stomach was rumbly after that.

That's it for now.  I have a telemed appointment this afternoon.  Take care.

Cya...

Issues & Outings...

 

The 1st of the month stuff begins.  We'll start handling the bills tomorrow.  We have a lot of outings & appointments this month.  We're going out for a birthday dinner for me.  Tomorrow is my telemedicine appointment.  That's just the beginning of this month.  The next week has 2 things happening out of town & the following has another.   There's some in town stuff to deal with as well.

Of course on top of all this, the car's still being difficult.   They can't figure out what its deal is.  I hate needing cars sometimes.  What I really hate is being so poor, the only car we can afford is in this condition.  Having enough to get a decent car would be very nice.  Maybe there'd be less apprehension.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Hello September, Hello 59...

 

Another September has arrived.  It's brought my birthday & the gateway to hellish dark of the year.  It figures the 1st day of my new year would start off dark with a bad, jolty wake-up.  I'm already down voting this trip. 

A weird thing as you age & more isolated is you get birthday wishes from entities not people; Google, your phone, your bank, your insurance, etc...  It's a marketing tactic, to make these things seem like they care about you, but it's disturbing.   At 1st it was odd when Deviant Art & eBay sent me birthday wishes.  Then the reality set in.  Besides my roomie, no actual person acknowledged me anymore.  Sometimes being this removed is hard, but the faux concern of things can be disconcerting.   There's that little of me left in the world, that only things programmed to say something, acknowledge my existence.

It's a gloomy morning.  I hope that's not a sign of how the year will go.  Birthday's do suck.   There's all these supposed-to-be things we associate with them.  I wonder does anyone not on TV, actually get them as an adult.  Does anyone actually get a happy birthday?  Or are we all just lying about something we think should be?

Take care.

Cya...