Shared Issue...

 

There are many angles being researched in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  Improving the means to detect, treat, eradicate & hopefully cure the virus.  Including new & novel medications, gene therapy, stem cells, antibodies, various techniques, etc...  

These approaches vary,  but all share some issues.  HIV is a difficult problem to solve.  Research takes time, skill & funds.  The orange stain & his idiots have gutted funding.  Who knows how much damage this administration has done to HIV & medical research?  These were deliberate choices to bring harm to those with HIV & other illnesses.  

The shutdown may be ending.  I'm not sure what all this will mean.  The timeline for things is still unknown.  It'd be nice if it were now.

That's it for now, take care.

Cya...

PS - Last night was the 1st night we went below freezing, had faucets dripping & had a stove on overnight.  Looks to be the same tonight.

1st Cold Of The Season...

 

Yesterday was the 1st time we had the front room stove going.  It wasn't freezing, but it was definitely cold.  We usually need to have it going somewhere from here to mid November.  There was a year that it didn't get lit until Thanksgiving, but that only happened once.  Windows are closed, no fans, blanket are out & stoves are lit.  That's never a good combination for my eyes or breathing.  It's back to the time of year I have to decide, do I want to breathe or be warm?

Tomorrow's Halloween.  Yay, I suppose.  This used to be a big day for me, not so much for years.   I'm not warring with holidays any more, but they just don't seem to matter.  If anything, they're sort of a nuisance & the mail doesn't run.  I'm not seeing upsides to them anymore.  They're just reminders that I haven't been in on the joke in years.  Nothing feels like the holidays anymore.  It feels like people are celebrating nostalgia more than the holiday, glory days & all that.

The shutdown BS is still ongoing.  There's no sign of any change soon.  It'd be nice for once in my life not to be on losing team that all these people seem to hate.  Guess it's a little late for that.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Appointment...

 

It's cold out & the keyboard is chilly.  I hate cold weather.   I despise it more considering it was in the 80s on Saturday & now it's just above freezing.  Yesterday was our 1st day with the stoves burning.  The air's cold & making breathing rough.  

My dentist appointment has come, gone & been paid for.  Today is the appointment with my new medical provider.  I've seen her before some years back.  If this goes well, I can have the medical drama settled for now. 

That's it for now.  I need to get showered & go shopping.  Then I'll handle the appointment & mail.  Take care.

Cya...

An Error & 7 Days...

 

So far the van is working.  Here's hoping that's a thing that continues.  Yesterday wasn't easy on us, the weather & darkness is taking its toll.  I made an error last night when I decided to only leave 1 stove on overnight.  It got colder in the house than I expected.  Still trying to warm it back up a bit. 

Today marks a week since I last held Tinkerbell.  We talked to her a lot on her last day.  She wanted to held & comforted.  She could feel us, hear us & see us.  She was taking in her last moments with us.  I'm glad she went as peacefully as did, but I hate she had to go.  She is very missed.  The house is off without her.  Even the little cat who was an ass to Tink is weirded out without her.  I hope her journeys are glorious & loving.  There would've never been a good point or enough time with her, for her passing to have been easier on us.  She was & still is loved.  I guess she thought 10 years was long enough & went to meet Mother Alice passed 10 years go tomorrow.

Cya...

PS - I'm over sad Winter moments & anniversaries.

1st, Last & Ongoing...

 

Last night was the 1st time the kitchen stove was left on overnight.  It got chilly & there are no signs of a  warming out of the 40's for a week.  At least it's a sunny morning.

I had to jump the van again yesterday.  That lasted 14 days.  It'll be hard to tell what's going on with the cold setting in on the area.  If it keeps happening, either the battery is dying or there's something draining it.  Either way, it'll mean another trip to the mechanic.

There's an ongoing thing with the gas company.  They want to move the meter up against the house.  We don't want that. There other pipes in the way they want to go.  We have zip faith in their ability not to take out our water/sewer pipes.  Then they'd probably drop the entire fixing of the situation on us.  They seem happy with an alternative they offered.  They'll leave it where it is & just put some guards near it.   Funny, it's been in the spot for decades, now they're worried about the meter.

That's it for now.  Take care.

Cya...

Child+...

 

This article is about HIV in children.  I think the best way to start is to just state.

Children infected with HIV are significantly more likely to do worse in neurological assessments despite having well-controlled HIV disease, according to new research.

This meaning children living with even well controlled HIV are more likely to  face  neurological, cognitive & psychiatric issues.  This could present as physical limitations, learning difficulties, or mental disorders.  At this time, researchers are trying to understand the severity of the issue.   Why is it happening, can it be avoided, can it be treated?

So far, the research only points to this being a phenomenon that is occuring.  More research is needed for any further understanding of the issue.  Some are fond of saying that HIV is no longer a death sentence.  Maybe not, but certainly isn't a life as we knew virus either.

Cya...

PS - Plumber came & replaced the front room heater.

House Stress...

 

Things have been stressful lately.  The guy that was supposed to do some yard work, didn't show.  The heater stove in the front room decided to die.  It was about 7 years old, we replaced it in 2015.  Hopefully, we'll get at least that long out of the new stove.  I'm not sure when they'll get here to install it.  I could've gotten this model about $50 cheaper if I'd ordered it, but who knows how long that would've taken.  The last time I ordered something from Home Depot, it was a no show.  So, we paid a little extra to avoid gas costs, delays & stress.  Plus, it helped a local business out a bit.  

It'd be nice if all this was handled soon.  It's being stressful & my sleep has already be less than restful.  That's it for now, take care.

Cya...