Rough Day...

 

My bad night before, made yesterday very hard on me.  I was spent before I even got started.  Shopping left me drenched & huffing for breath.   This weather needs to move out, but the forecast has it here for up to another week.  Every time the heat is supposed to move on, it just stays.   I need to sleep, stop being soaked, be able to eat more, breathe easier, etc...  This Summer has sucked.

I'm of the belief that HIV should be treated mostly by your primary care provider.   It's been here since the 80s, surely the basics could be handled in house & only involve a specialist on occasion.  The problem with that is, out of 200+ medical schools, net searches say only about 15% teach a comprehensive program detailing HIV & other common infectious diseases.  That's maybe 30 in the US.  The rest teach a very cursory blip about the matter.   Maybe in the medical field, outside of pharmacy, took the matter more seriously, we'd be further along in this fight.

That's all for now, take care.  

Cya...

Lasts of June Things To Do...

 

June's nearly done.  We have some errands & shopping this morning.  It's the last grocery run of the month.  It's getting hot, the AC will be on soon.  

There wasn't much for articles this morning.  I did manage to get a hold of my specialist.  They hadn't set my telemed appointment.  The appointment used to be made before I left the current meeting.  They haven't had a consistent staff in some time.  Any way, appointment & lab dates are set.

That's all for this morning.  Take care.

Cya...

Busy Monday...

 

It's the 1st of the month & the cycle begins again.  Besides normal things, there's an appointment today.  That means getting around a little earlier.  After shopping, we'll head out to handle that.

I'm trying to get a hold of my specialist & make sure all my labs arrived.  They're a pain to contact.  I have a telemed appointment Wednesday.

That's it for now, take care.

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...

Maybe Finally...

 

According to this piece, the CDC is taking input on modifying their recommendation for HIV testing with primary care providers.  They are pushing for the test to become part of standard care.  It would be as common as a CBD, CMP, Lipid Panel, etc...  It would be just another lab drawn.  

The goal is to diagnose the illness as soon as possible.  That way treatment has a better chance to prevent damage to the patient.  If the result is negative, it can provide an opportunity for education on the virus & it's prevention.  

The more common this test, the less startling it will be.  If capitalism holds, commonality should drive down the cost of it a well.  Instead of being a novelty for a questionable population, it would be standard care.  This is something people have been trying to accomplish for a long time.  This basic step could help millions.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Yet Again...

 

Everything seemed normal when my telemedicine appointment began.  The nurse took my vitals & as we were preparing to go to the actual telemed part, it happened.  She asked me if I knew yet.   I didn't have any idea what she was talking about & thought that somehow my appointment had been cancelled.  

No, not cancelled, just a repeat of something that it seems I need to get used to.  The doctor I had been seeing just quit.  I have no idea why, but it must have been very recent, because his name was on everything that morning.  After the appointment, I checked, his name was gone.   My appointment was rather impromptu with a new doctor.   She could've been a resident or post residency.  For now, I will probably cycling through people until they hire a new full timer.  

My dentist did this to me.  My former telemedicine doctor did this.  My former primary care physician did this.  For a bit I saw a Nurse Practitioner at a walk in clinic.  I wasn't even an active patient when he left, but I still got a letter stating that by "this date" he would no longer be available.  That date was over a month after I received the notice.  A NP I was no longer seeing, was the only medical professional I've seen with enough courtesy & respect to be polite & informative.   That sucks.

I don't know what happened to my former telemed doctor.  I probably never will.  But there goes over a year of trying to get used to someone else.  I guess  professional rapport is just a thing of the past.

Anyway, I guess other than that chaos, the appointment went well.  I should be on a new med soon, Dovato.  I called my new primary & left a message about it.  I don't know if it's been received of not.   I go again in 6 months.

I don't appreciate surprises.

Cya...

A Want..

 

There are a lot of things I'd like in this world, too bad most of them seem highly unlikely to ever be a reality; like enough resources to feel secure.  It was good sleeping weather last night & I got some much needed rest.  I'd like not have to be so dependent on the whims of nature as to how I sleep.  But that isn't something in my life.

So, I'm thinking of something that should be possible.  Whatever the estimate, it's always over a 1 million people in the US who are HIV+.  The virus is over 4 decades old.  Other than testing (done at labs) & new meds (pharmacy), little has changed since 2000.  Why do I still need a specialist?  Why isn't HIV treatment as available as anything else at your primary care's office?  It's time for this to be so common you don't need specialist.  Mine hasn't offered any new information on my illness in over decade.

Just my thoughts & wants.  I want enough to be secure & to no longer have to go to a specialist for my HIV.  At least part of that seems feasible.

Cya...

Goodbye July & Done For Now...

 

This is the end of July 2024.  It's on to the last month of my birth year.  This month wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't fun.  It was hot, humid & often too stressful.  It came in hot & that's the way it's going out.

Yesterday was busy & tiring.  We took the van to the mechanic.  It got partially fixed.  It has to go back in next week for a big maintenance job.  Just about everything that can leak, does.  Maybe after that, the van drama will be settled for a while.

Our eye exams went easy enough.   New glasses have been ordered.  They'll take a while to get here.  The van & exam took up our day, then we were hot & worn out.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Rushed Morning...

 

We're in a hurry this morning.  We have to get the van to the mechanics & then get morning stuff handled.  After that we'll head over & have our eye exams.  We need new glasses.  These aren't dead, but they aren't in great shape.  Everything just had to collide on the same day.

That's it for now, take care.

Cya...

Did What I Could...

 

I did all the prep they said to for the screening.  This hasn't been fun.  I finished what I could do last night.  I hope this goes well.   I feel pretty awful right now.  I'm queasy, shaky, dehydrated & tired.   It was a warm, muggy night.   That combined with wondering when I'd need to hit the bathroom again kept waking me.  

I have Wednesday stuff, some of which got pushed back until tomorrow.   I need to get trash out, shower again, check mail & be there by 2.  I could seriously hurt these people for the appointment being that late.  This isn't just me they're putting out.  You have to have a driver for this thing to get you home.  

In 4 hours I'll be there.  In 6 - 7, I should be out & done.  Hopefully this goes well.  

Take care.

Cya...

Screen Prep...

 

The prep for my colon screening begins today.  I didn't think this was going to be fun.  But they finally set a time yesterday.  My appointment isn't until 2 PM.  That's a lot later than what I was led to expect.  So, the next 28 - 31 hours aren't going to be great.  It's really stupid it's that late.  I least I won't have to wake up early & I'll have time to handle getting cleaned up & house stuff.  

Here this goes, take care.

Cya...

Finally & Another...

 

I actually saw a hummingbird in the yard yesterday.  I almost missed it.  It was up near the tiger lillies.  I haven't seen them there before.  I think most things are avoiding the hibiscus this year.  If that's the case then that may be the only hummer I see this year.  The tigers are almost done for the season.  I'm not sure what's wrong with the rose of sharons.  They've been dying off for the last few years.   There used to 6 in the backyard.  Now, there's 2 & the front bush is half gone.   The hummers don't go near the crepes as much.  I'd put up a feeder, but there are so many ants in the yard, that's probably all that'd get to it.

On the other point, it happened again.  This article goes on to detail how another doctor possibly exposed over 2,400 patients to HIV & various hepatitis types.  Who knows what else.  All because he couldn't be bothered with safety protocols.

That's all for.  I need to get around & go shopping. Take care.

Cya...

Progress & Oversleeping...

 

Sort of a short post this morning.  The neighborhood was actually quiet this morning & I overslept a bit.  I probably needed it.  

My appointment went alright yesterday.  It was a just a meet & greet.   The process was explained, the prep was laid out & the beginning of the process is underway.  The actual screening won't happen until mid July.  I didn't realize it'd take that long.  I'll need some labs before hand & then it'll happen.  It's not over yet, but the ball's rolling.

That's it for today.  Take care.

Cya...

Early Dark Appointment...

 

The forecast doesn't call for rain today, but it's really overcast.   It's pretty dark this morning & I had to be up for an appointment.  The doctors want me to have a screening.  This morning is the initial meet & greet,  then the procedure will be scheduled.  

Not the greatest morning.  I'm up early.  It's dark.  I have an appointment.  The 1st of the moth stuff is starting.  I'm waiting to see if  a bank issue I had last month is resolved.   That'll take a few more days.   

The phone bill came in & it went up $30. The discount programs I was on (ACP) ended.  That's going to rack up.  Still, AT&T is about the most dependable in my area.  If not, I'd probably be changing.

That's it for this morning, take care.

Cya...

Last April Appointment...

 

Short post, I have to be to at a medical appointment in a bit.  Just routine, shouldn't be anything big.  But, it's a little early.  

The car thing at the mechanic sort of happened.  They told us the problem.  Then they told us it might be fixable for quite a bit time & cash.  They weren't exactly sure & leaned towards living with it for now.  So, we are.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Waiting For Call...

 

My specialist office was supposed to send out lab orders.  So far, they have yet to show.  There's nothing I can do but wait until they do.  I've left messages, but haven't heard anything back yet.  I hate playing phone tag with doctors.

Other than that, we need to get shopping & a mail run.  We'll see how today goes.  I can't really plan anything else while this is lingering.

That's all for now.   Take care.

Cya...

A Few OK To Decent...

 

Things around here have been going well enough for now.  I'm not saying they've been perfect, but there hasn't been any major drama since last Thursday.  That was due to our cat being a dick.   

But from Friday on, there have been some issues, but nothing major.  I called to confirm my dental appointment for tomorrow.  We'll need to handle somethings today, that'd normally be done tomorrow.   The van needs an oil change.

I started the final push to change doctors yesterday.  I asked for a last refill from them & for my records to be sent.  So far, things seem to be in order.  We'll see.  I've done what I can & that will have to be enough.

We're had our 1st chill down here.  It isn't welcome.  But it is mid October & Halloween's just 2 weeks off.  

Take care.

Cya...

More Updates...

 

Another change, my 1st option for new primary care finally called back yesterday.  I took the appointment.  It's on 10/30 & not the 72 days out the other clinic  booked an appointment for me.  That's a month & half earlier & my meds shouldn't be an issue.  If this 1st option doesn't work out, there's always the appointment in December.  I just have to cancel it within 24 hours of the actual date.  I think I can handle that.

It's not over yet, but it's an improvement.  I'll take what I can.  It's supposed to storm here today.  I hope it's not bad enough to knock out the power/net.   I wish the weather could remember it can rain without storming.  

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

More Ugh & Waiting...

 

So much for October.  The search for a new primary care physician may be over.  It's as handled as it can be for the time.  The 1st place I called refused to give me a call back or an answer when I called.  I got an appointment with another PCP, but it's not until December, over 2 months out.   I guess I'll have to call my specialist about meds.   I hate this process.  I really hope this new place works.  I probably won't really calm down about this until I know it's handled well.

Life added more to this dogpile of crap on my life.  I'm heading out to go shopping yesterday morning.   My phone rings & I think it's the 1st primary I called finally returning my call.  It wasn't.  It was my dentist office having to postpone my Wednesday appointment until late November.   Just F'ing wonderful.

Apparently I won the crapfest lottery.   Every alleged professional in my life has decided to flake out & screw me over.  What's worse, is this wasn't aimed at me.  I was caught in the blast of their BS.  I was just acceptable, collateral damage due to their inability to be professional & do their damn jobs.

That's where things stand so far.  Hopefully, this is leftover Sucktember stuff.  Then maybe this month won't utterly suck.  Take care.

Cya...

Still Waiting...

 

I should be at a doctor's appointment right now.  Except I can't be, because at the moment I have no primary care physician.  Mine abruptly retired.  The man could be on his deathbed.  Still, if he'd had even the smallest speck of professionality, he would've had a plan for his retirement or even his death.  It's clear now, he didn't.  

I'm exasperated with myself for continuously investing in situations that fall apart & leave me in a lurch.  I should've left this doctor a already, but I was comfortable.   I've spent so much of my life not being comfortable that when I am, it tends to screw me over.  I let things slide because it's easier & then at some point matters can't be overlooked anymore.  How did I get there?  I did it & I should've known better.

Now, I'm waiting for my 1st option to make a decision about if I can be a new patient.  I have to get this going today in some direction.  I'm eyeing a couple of other options.  Hopefully I can wrap this up soon.

Cya...