Covid19 Spare time

KARNUT · April 29, 2023

38 minutes ago, Donstar said:

This morning a grade school memory of learning about venn diagrams popped into my head. My wife and I try to schedule our appointments and activities in a way that don't conflict and will allow for the unexpected. Next week our two circles have overlapped so dramatically it's comical. It certainly makes me appreciate my parents and grandparents. I always thought they were engaging in mundane activities yearning for visitors. I wish!

One of the many things that dawn on us as we get older is the list or projects we plan on doing in our wind down years, some call retirement years. I was asking my brother about his projects he’s accumulated for the last 30 years. His first is a 79 little red express truck he bought new that has been built 3 times. He drag races that one about 3 times a year. He has 5 other he’s collected for clones as projects. He has a 55 Buick he fou to drive my father around the last few years of his life. My father’s favorite car. And some others. Last week he finally realized that his goals for those projects may be unrealistic. It will be interesting to see other than little red what makes the cut. Like me he has a big yard. Priority and ability takes command.

Donstar · May 3, 2023

Many elective surgeries and specialist appointments were postponed because of covid and we are still dealing with those procedures less impacted by delays. Yesterday, I was on the table for a prostate biopsy and the radiologist explained the procedure, the risks, potential results and asked me if I wanted him to go ahead with the test. Many will appreciate that this is a procedure that you'd rather not do and a last minute option to withdraw was very tempting! I went ahead with the test but remain conflicted by the prior discussion. My wife had a relatable experience this week when her surgeon gave convincing reasons not to go ahead with her surgery at her pre-op consultation! I don't know if these Doctors were looking after our well-being or simply looking to reduce their involvement and responsibility in the decision making process! I am suspecting the latter.

customboss · May 3, 2023

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

Many elective surgeries and specialist appointments were postponed because of covid and we are still dealing with those procedures less impacted by delays. Yesterday, I was on the table for a prostate biopsy and the radiologist explained the procedure, the risks, potential results and asked me if I wanted him to go ahead with the test. Many will appreciate that this is a procedure that you'd rather not do and a last minute option to withdraw was very tempting! I went ahead with the test but remain conflicted by the prior discussion. My wife had a relatable experience this week when her surgeon gave convincing reasons not to go ahead with her surgery at her pre-op consultation! I don't know if these Doctors were looking after our well-being or simply looking to reduce their involvement and responsibility in the decision making process! I am suspecting the latter.

Glad you didn't wait and delay, a good friend FINALLY got the biopsy done and he has a raging cancer that went into overdrive in 1 year since last testing. I begged him to get to VA ( we are battle buddies) and this could be his end. PET scan upcoming to see if its spread from the prostate gland or isolated still. You did good Donstar.

Donstar · May 4, 2023

Thanks Customboss. I have family history here and want to be proactive. Such tests can be very uncomfortable but beat the treatments after cancer has spread. There are a myriad of ways your health can take you out but this particular threat can be eliminated when caught early. As an aside, I have coffee on occasion with a couple in their mid 70's who both shy away from health discussions and boast that they have no issues. I believe they just aren't looking. Many/most afflictions like cancer don't hurt or give obvious signs as they grab hold of your future. Now that our medical services have largely rebounded from the covid years there is no excuse for us not to be proactive with our health. During the covid years we had time to organize our possessions and had an excuse to ignore our bodies. We all need to allocate some spare time to maintain our bodies so we can enjoy our stuff!

Donstar · May 19, 2023

"Benign" was the word I heard this week. There is a ton of contingency planning that happens in the days prior to hearing this result and I am thrilled some of these plans don't have to be considered at this time. This was a case where I knew if the results were different, I would likely live a normal life for many more years but it still had me planning with a different outlook. The internet (education) is a valuable resource when navigating through potential cancer scares. The common connection between most cancers and successful treatment is early detection. The covid years provided lots of time for many of us to work on ourselves. However, medical services were spread too thin for non-covid related testing. Now we have no excuses to not be proactive about our health. If you're waiting to feel something different or unusual pain, this is not being proactive and you may not be "early".

customboss · May 19, 2023

My personal ECM was officially determined cognitively declined yesteday via testing. Neuropsychiatric evals are long and not fun. Knew I was psycho but it’s no fun if you can’t remember anything short term, do puzzles or math anymore when that was your life. Didn’t think my brain bag and some connectors would fail this early. With physical pain and inability to do what I love it leaves some decisions to be pondered. Guess I’ll drive around in limp mode for a while.

Donstar · May 19, 2023

1 hour ago, customboss said:

Guess I’ll drive around in limp mode for a while.

Sort of like "Safe Mode" when your computer loses some of its connectors! I wish you the best you can muster as you sort through planning and decisions. I hope you have a confidant you can talk with about options.

customboss · May 19, 2023

2 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Sort of like "Safe Mode" when your computer loses some of its connectors! I wish you the best you can muster as you sort through planning and decisions. I hope you have a confidant you can talk with about options.

My better half for some reason used LIMP mode......

Spoiler

Donstar · May 29, 2023

The beginning of the 2020's were a shake-up for most. I know two individuals in their 40's who benefitted more than they should have from government relief. They enjoyed the benefits of a steady and consistent paycheck but not enough to return to work after the extra funding stopped. They are both losing their rentals at the end of this month and are relying on others(family) to find and fund another place. They are both men, unknown to each other, but very similar stories. I am connected to both families and get to be part of the drama. I grew up naïve. I thought that I needed to work to earn money so that I could buy food and pay for shelter. I also knew that the taxes from the work I did would help those who were unable to work. I never thought of working for money as optional.

KARNUT · May 29, 2023

I grew up believing and still participating in tithing to my church to help the less fortunate. We also have a food bank at our small church. The taxes from my check were for Social Security, unemployment, and Medicare. Other taxes from check took care of defense the original purpose of government. Our vehicle registration taxes took care of roads. As a whole government shouldn’t be in the business of charity. They’re bad at it with so much waste. The military was the only thing government really did well until lately with their social experiment. People are protesting with their money as bud light and target are finding out. I’m a live and let live type of guy. The shoving down the throat is finally facing backlash. Reality needs to make a comeback instead of wishful thinking.

Donstar · May 30, 2023

I appreciate the supports available to us when we are unable to earn money, The complexities of dealing with poverty and homelessness in our respective countries are many. The two individuals I mentioned represent a group of people who I believe are taking advantage of the supports. I wouldn't want to be in their current situation nor would I've allowed myself to be there! They both have the physical and mental abilities to be self-sustaining. I think of them every time I wait in line for service and seeing a "now hiring" sign when I reach the end!

Grumpy Bear · May 30, 2023

Romans 13:1-7 (Byington) reads:

[quote] Let every soul be submissive to superior authorities; for there is no authority except by God, and those that there are are given their positions by God, so that he who sets himself against authority is opposing God’s institution; and those who oppose it will have judgment passed on them. For rulers are not a terror to the good deed but to the bad; and you want not to be afraid of the authority? do the good, and you will have praise from it, for it is to you an agent of God’s for the good. But if you do the bad, do be afraid, for it is not for nothing he wears his sword; for he is an avenging agent of God’s for anger to him who commits the bad deed; for which reason it is necessary to be submissive not only on account of his anger but also on account of your conscience. For this is why you pay taxes too; for they are servitors of God’s steadily at work for that very purpose. Pay everybody what is due him: for whom it is the tax, the tax; for whom the tariff, the tariff; for whom fear, fear; for whom honor, honor. [end quotation]

This says the purpose of government is the maintenance of order. It's a big job with a very large scope.

Who am (I) you to judge the servant of another? Roman's 14:4 To his own master he stands or falls.

Donstar · June 7, 2023

We're going on an Alaskan cruise next month and the preparation required is daunting. It is particularly hard because this is the first time we've left our home for more than an overnighter since Jan. 2020. I know it'll be good for us to know we're not the only ones who can care for our dog and our garden! They do have a final medical screening before you board the ship which I question. I think someone who makes it to this stage after all of the expense and preparation will be challenged to answer health questions in a way that may prevent them from boarding! With this in mind, we have no concerns about being on a cruise ship post pandemic. I know cruise lines have stepped up their health protocols and so have most individuals.

KARNUT · June 7, 2023

54 minutes ago, Donstar said:

We're going on an Alaskan cruise next month and the preparation required is daunting. It is particularly hard because this is the first time we've left our home for more than an overnighter since Jan. 2020. I know it'll be good for us to know we're not the only ones who can care for our dog and our garden! They do have a final medical screening before you board the ship which I question. I think someone who makes it to this stage after all of the expense and preparation will be challenged to answer health questions in a way that may prevent them from boarding! With this in mind, we have no concerns about being on a cruise ship post pandemic. I know cruise lines have stepped up their health protocols and so have most individuals.

I’ve been on over 20 cruises. The Alaska cruise was the best. I refuse to fly anymore or I’d go on many more. Don’t be fooled probably the virus is easy to fool to get onboard. Make good use of the hand sanitizer around the ship. Be careful of the buffet. That’s usually where the trouble lies. All our cruises were fun as long as you’re prepared for the boarding process. And the final debarking. Eventually we learned not to overpack and took our luggage off with us. Streamlining that process. Have fun.