Heartthrob

So, I got a diagnosis, Chronic Congestive Heart Failure. Doesn’t mean I have it. Just the start of the journey. My chest cavity has water, more than is needed to cushion my lungs. I have trouble breathing, impeding my walking, bending and being active.

Have had blood tests, echocardiogram and x-rays. Cardiologist says my heart is good and the blood tests came back normal. Cancer Doc says not caused by CLL.

Monday, drainage. All involved say I should feel better. Just need to know what is causing it. Staying positive.

Imbruvica Keeps Me Alive

When the docs finally realized back in 2017 why I was sick, they concluded I had a blood disorder that at the time didn’t require any treatment. As the symptoms continued and assumedly worsened, I was put on Imbruvica, a hard to get and very expensive drug.

Every morning I take a couple of pills. They cost $300 a pill, give or take a few shekels. A bottle costs $12,000 to $14,000 a month. Not sure how I can afford it; insurance, I guess. Lucky I am in remission, though I still have to take it.

Now the US Government is investigating the Chinese company that developed it or manufactured it or distributes it. They might even have a lab next to the one that developed the covid virus. Who knows?

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/15/health/wuxi-us-drugs-congress.html?searchResultPosition=1

At least President Biden is aware of the problem. He wants the price reduced. I sent him a note asking him to make sure all who need it get it, along with an album of my Imbruvica images. Have not heard back from him about my note or the photos. He has other things on his plate.

 

 

Blood Today

SO, you have to have a blood sample analyzed. Now, instead of going to a hospital or lab near all the other imaging and testing devices, they send you to a place once called a drug store, but now a place that sells everything and takes your blood. To get there, opportunities arise to buy, buy, buy.

Modern check in. Doc has forwarded by text or fax the order. Reservations made on line like getting a table in a restaurant. Identify yourself, verify your insurance and personal information.

Take a seat.

Liz Duckman

My cousin Liz just moved to an assisted living facility near us. We visited today, exchanged some health information and conversated. We were happy when we left, because we knew she was safer than when she lived by herself.

Just cannot do anything except be there, give her a little love and attention.

Della the cat, seen here getting ready to paw a shoe, keeps her company.

XRAY Today

It’s just another day in the hood for the aging. I go to Publix or I go to a doctor or a support service. Well there are other things, but not many outside the home, especially where we live.

So, they try to relax you with aquariums that have no fish.

Then, into the chamber with weird tools, ones not in your workshop.

A cute woman, trained to operate the camera and pose the subject, asks your name and date of birth and then a few stupid questions to make sure if you know why you are having this XRAY done. Stand here. Turn. Deep breath. Bang and it’s over. Another photog at work.

Then you get to leave, passing what impersonates for art and has no relationship to why you are there.

 

Staring Philodendron

No matter where you go these days, some eyes record your movements. Could be a plant, a tree, a shrub or a drone. Could be a neighbor who has read 1984. Or maybe your salad fixings.

No way to tell to whom they report, but someday, when you don’t pay attention, an image will pop up to remind you. So, be aware. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do in public, because there isn’t such a thing anymore.