Appointment...

I went to my primary care physician this morning for my quarterly appointment.  I find these things a waste of time.   They take vitals & possibly look at blood work.  Then I'm sent on my way.

5 of the 8 lab orders have been posted.  I'm still waiting on my CD4, the TB test & the HLA-B5701.   I may have to wait until Monday.   Hopefully, this won't require  a redraw.   So far, my numbers look good.  Well, at least good for me.

There's talk about a new USB stick that can determine HIV blood levels.  It's not on the market yet, but it could make an impact when it is.  It takes less than 30 minutes to get results, instead of days after sending the blood to a lab.  That'd cost time % $.

That's all for now.

Cya...

Still Not Good...

I'm still not in a good head.  I did at least look at the articles & they were mostly a bust.  All I saw, was that Britain's Health Service will be forced to supply PrEP.  Never mind some people actually need meds & treatments for existing issues.  Thank you  Gilead & condom hating f' abouts. 

Last night was the 1st serious cold night.  It was only in the mid 30's F, but still, it was nippy.  We're supposed to warm back up into the 70's today.  Maybe the bugs will dies off.  

That's all I have for now.  Stay safe.

Cya...

Angry & Uncertain...

I'm certainly not a happy camper this morning.  That election sucked angry, orange, oompa loompa balls.  Call it being a sore loser if you want, I don't care.  What I do care about is, how much worse things are going to get.

1. Republicans have historically treated those living with HIV, those of color, those who aren't straight, women, those who don't pigeon-hole in, etc... as so much refuse to be dealt with.
2. Republicans tend to promote religious issues that go against civil liberties & constitutional rights.
3. Republicans see funding anything other than mega-corps & churches as "evil" socialism.  Kiss expansions to medicaid, medicare, social security, education & other social programs good bye.

This election reaffirmed for me, that I live in a town, county, state & country that actively enjoys hating on anything they perceive as different.  I take this election as a direct & very personal attack on myself & any other fringe, disenfranchised person out there. 

For all you women, people of color, gays & other fringers who voted for this, you won't have to wait long to see the damage you've helped do.  I hope your proud of yourself.  If you are in my life, please promptly remove yourselves from it. May all the hell this election has to offer fall directly on your heads.

I'll try to be in a better place tomorrow.  But this election is a threat to every aspect of my life, to HIV research, to maintaining any level of security for those living with HIV or other chronic illnesses. 

Cya...

Update...

A while back I wrote about a surgical tech in Colorado who had been swapping out his syringes for those intended for surgical patients containing fentanyl.  Lessening or possibly eliminating the patients' anesthesia.  The tech also turned out to be +.

This article discusses this man's sentencing.  He's looking at 6+ years.  Too short a time, IMO.  There are also lawsuits pending concerning this matter.  Most likely civil suits against him & the institutions that employed him.  

I don't think he's being handed a stiff enough punishment, but it's something.  At least he was caught & prosecuted.  Hopefully, he's never licensed again.

Just an update.

Cya..

Got stuck...

I had a busy morning.  I went to the outpatient lab for blood work.  They took 9 vials.  They did a lot of extra test this time.  Now, I have to wait & see what the results are.  1 of those test will tell whether or not I can be moved on to the new medication the specialist want's me to take.  I have an appointment Thursday with my primary & we'll go over some of this.   The rest will wait until my appointment in Tulsa later in the month.  

That's all I've got for now

Cya...

Workshop....

This isn't much of an article, but I do find it interesting.   It's about an upcoming workshop on HIV & the microbiome.  It's being held by the NIH at their campus.  It will discuss the impact & affect of the microbiome on HIV & it's treatment/prevention.   This would be a very interesting symposium to attend.    If you're in the area, you might see if you can get to it.   It's November 17 - 18.

Cya...

1st November Saturday...

It's the 1st weekend of November.  We're halfway through Fall & this season has certainly sucked.  Yesterday was the 1st time we didn't have temps up into the 80's.  Most of the windows were finally closed last night.  Maybe Fall is actually getting here.

The gas is fixed.  The car stuff is handled.  The new fridge is in & the ice maker seems to actually be working.   Yay!!!

My labs got back about my thyroid & my meds will be getting bumped up again.  The levels weren't where they should be.  They'll get there. 

My arms are still a little sore from the flu & pneumonia vaccinations I got yesterday.  I'll get blood drawn on Monday for my appointment in Tulsa later in the month with my specialist.  I have an appointment with my primary care physician this Thursday.   My roomie has an appointment this month as  well.  It's busy, buys, busy.

This is the end of Daylight Saving Time.  Tomorrow will be an hour earlier.  But the sun will set earlier as well.  Always a trade off. 

That's it for now.

Cya...