Money, Money, Money...

Trump's certainly not funny.  The cheeto in charge plans to slash several programs I utilize.  He wants to cut funds to medicaid, medicare, social security, disability, HIV spending, SNAP benefits & a host of other social service programs.  Many of which are already funded.  

He wants to do this so he can give tax breaks to rich bastards like himself.   This man is too stupid to be evil, but someone is playing this idiot like a fiddle.    He & all his cronies should be hung for their behavior towards to the common citizen.  

None of this has passed yet, but they'll push & they might succeed.  It certainly lets you know where you stand with people.  Then the cheeto has the nerve to lie & say he supports all the people he's ripping off.   They should cut out his tongue & set that creature on top of his head free.  It deserves to return to the wild.  

Hopefully, some people will be reasonable before these cuts get passed.

Cya...

Labs, Calendars & Flighty People...

My labs are slowly showing up on the hospital portal.  The TB test hasn't come back yet.  I'll probably have to get a chest X-Ray.   The numbers looks good, but I'm still dealing with a lot of exhaustion & fatigue.  It may just be part of dealing with HIV & some meds.   For now, I'm alright with where I'm at.  My telemedicine appointment is next Wednesday the 21st.   It's on the calendar.

Speaking of calendars, they're awesome things.  They can keep track  of all sorts of things in you life, like appointments, anniversaries, events, etc.... But they only work if you actually use them.  You have to keep them updated & actually look at them quite frequently.   If not, a calendar will be of no use to you.   That will be on you, not the calendar.  It's just a handy tool, it can't do the job for you,

The mini-speech on calendars was due to a lot of people's inability to use them well.   My household's schedule is often being thrown into a bit of disarray by some outside person's inability to organize their life.   Let's get this straight, you're inability or refusal to get your life together, doesn't make your issue an emergency for me/us.  Learn the 5 P's, "Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance."  There are variations of that, but they get to the same point.  Get you sh*t together & stop making others clean up your mess.

Cya..

Dip Down & BackUp...

I know I talk about the weather a lot, seriously a lot.  I get it.  But this Winter has been a roller coaster for temps.  The last 2 days have been really cold.  It never got above freezing yesterday & dipped down near the teens overnight.   Today & tomorrow are supposed to be nearly 25 degrees warmer.  Then, of course, we have another dip down.   The ups & downs this season have been really rough on me.    The only good thing, is that maybe it keeps killing off the bugs.  

Have to go get a shower & go shopping.  Take care.

Cya...

Stigma, Fear & Belief...

For as long as people have known about HIV, they've feared it.   That terror led to bad decisions & reactions.  It caused a panic & created stigma around a health issue.  Instead of being treated like a virus, it was likened to a "holy plague" on the immoral & unworthy.  

Articles come out often about some religious zealot or scam artist promoting a religious approach to handling the illness.  From basic prayer to concoctions containing pesticides.  Some of these potions are just "blessed" water, others are bogus, while still some are poisonous.  All of them are highly dangerous, because these church & political efforts lead people away from actual medical treatment.  This will only lead to sickness, death & the further spread of HIV.

Laying on hands, prayer or holy ointments won't cure HIV.  Nothing currently known will.    Be aware, get tested & take your meds.   Education, testing & adherence to regimens are the things that are going to fight HIV.

Cya...

Grey Morning WIth Pops Of Red...

This morning was a drizzlefest of  grey skies & damp air.  I was fortunate enough to see a display of several bursts of scarlet flitting from branches to fence posts to the ground.  A local set of cardinals  must of had a brood with a lot males.  

They're bright red, but not the big, so they're still young.  They're playing king of the mountain & not seriously fighting, maybe they're familiar with each other.  Redbirds can get very territorial. For now, the fussing is comradery.  Right now, they also need the buddy system to find enough food & not wind up food themselves.

I know there are realistic reasons for this stunning display, but I don't want to hear them right now.  I just want to think for a moment these little guys get to be social, maybe even happy.   I know it won't last, but for now, it's really pretty great.  It's like having little, vermilion swashbucklers in my yard, charging & parrying.  

I think I'll just watch the show.

Cya....

Not much Friday...

We don't have much planned today besides grocery shopping.  There weren't any new articles I saw that caught my attention.   It was a nice day yesterday.  It looks like were headed back into another cool down for the next couple of days.  That's about it for now.

Cya...

Biktarvy

According to these articles, 1 & 2, the FDA has granted Gilead the go ahead with a new once daily regimen.  It will be called, Biktarvy.  Sounds like a German version of the  1960's show, Daktari.  It is very similar to the Descovy, which is basically an altered form of Truvada.   It has Bictegravir as an added component.  I couldn't find much on Bictegravir besides this pdf. 

The 1st article is very light, but holds a very important detail about this new med, the cost, which will be over $35,000 annually.  It's expected to quickly become the gold standard for HIV treatment.  Of course, it's a literal gold mine for Gilead.  The 2nd article goes much further details of the matter.

Give them a read.   This is medication has been approved & will be hitting the market soon. 

Cya...