Went to dialysis labs yesterday morning and brought up that pulse running low. Their solution – see my cardiologist. But this is a dual problem. Cardiologist has me on meds to slow heart rate while kidney people employing same med to control blood pressure. Cardiologist instructs me to back off or not to take med if low pulse rate while kidney people advocate even higher dosage to alleviate elevated BP. As the patient, I’m in the middle. So I’ll drive to Ft Worth to see the nurse practicener, but know the outcome. Screwed up my plans big time.
Category: Uncategorized (Page 2 of 55)
We now have a new water heater installed. The water damage mediation company still has fans running to dry out a place in the heater closet where water got spilled onto the heater base. It never rains but it pours! They are due Thursday for hopefully a final look at their moisture sensors and the next act will take place – restoring all the damage in the drywall from the leak and the mediation effort. Meanwhile, two of my wife’s three sisters are due to fly in from Indiana with a cousin tomorrow for a short visit.
Health-wise I haven’t been feeling all that great. Don’t know if it’s upset routine or what. More on this aspect later.
Our hot water heater sprang a gushing leak . It is located in a closet in the garage and leaked for a couple of days before we noticed. For the past couple of days a remediation team tore apart walls and is in the process of drying things out. Maybe get a new water heater installed tomorrow. Meanwhile lots and lots of other stuff going on. More as have time.
Over the weekend I worked on getting our indoor “greenhouse” up and running. We are closing off a closet section of our main garage with a door, window, and power access to accommodate a cheap greenhouse, for which we are only using the shelving. We have it in front of the window, with 8 heating mats to accommodate tons of plants. I transplanted 5 tomato plants that we started indoors and they appear to be doing well. I bought a wall heater that is completely automatic and is wife enabled from Amazon so I can be anywhere in the world where my phone is on wifi and adjust the heater or see what temperature is bing maintained. Sunday morning I planted forty tomato seeds and have about the same number of pepper seeds to go. I moved our Google interface to the area so I have toons there also. When I get it cleaned up a bit later in the week I’ll post a video of it.
Recall it is my goal to have tomatoes in the ground by mid-February, granted probably under cloches, but still in the ground.
Have two points to discuss today:
- Bright and early yesterday morning I used Perplexity to put together a two-page treatise on Heads Up Display windshields in preparation for my visit to the shop that installed the incorrect windshield in my wife’s BMW. I could have saved my time. When I arrived at the shop and explained the situation, the owner went out and confirmed the installed windshield was NOT Heads Up compatible and assumed all responsibility for replacement, stating it was his error, that he quoted a price to fix the windshield and that price was the price. He would cover the cost of the correct windshield and labor to install it. We have an appointment to have the proper windshield installed next Tuesday.
- My visit to the dermatologist is a different story. I went in with a list of 6 places I wanted him to look at which he did. Along the way, he used what seemed to be a gallon of nitrogen squirting her and there and everywhere. Then the fun really began. With a marker, he outlined seven, yes seven areas from which another dude took samples to send to the lab for analysis, ie, is cancer present? The female attendant informed me in private that five is the usual maximum usually taken and that I was special in getting seven. Take that on board, seven. Just wait for the lab results to come back and we have seven areas that the dermatologists digs into to remove cancer.
- As a sidelight, I’m taking the wife’s BMW in at 1000 this morning to have a chip installed. I’ll let you know what, if anything it does for performance. Her car has the software programming to let us know how it affects performance.
So I reported that we had new windshields put in our truck and BMW. All is good. Ha. Not. My wife drove her BMW yesterday and noted that the HUD (Heads Up Display) is blurry. A search on Perplexity about this defrugality yielded the fact that BMWs with HUD take a special HUD windshield replacement which it appears the installer did not install. So now I have to go through the process of confronting the installer and try to cajole him to remedy the situation.
Yesterday, I underwent the scheduled Carotid Artery Doppler Ultrasound, a noninvasive diagnostic test that uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow in the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain. It helps detect blockages, narrowing, or abnormalities caused by conditions like atherosclerosis. Several of my doctors are interested in this so the results should be enlightening and get them off my back. I have a teleconference on 1/28/2025 to discuss the results.
On a more pleasant note, I have tomato seeds that need to be transplanted. Looking forward to that job tomorrow morning. I’m still shooting to have plants in the ground here in North Texas by mid-February under cloches.
recently read an article by Hope Hodge Seck in the February 2025 MOAA Military Officer stating that 1 in 6 veterans, compared with 1 in 7 among the general US population, suffer from CKF. I instructed Poe to write a 500-word or so blog about this with the following result:
Poe
Introduction:
Welcome to a thought-provoking journey through the world of chronic kidney failure, particularly among veterans. This article will delve into the statistics, challenges, and potential solutions surrounding CKF within the veteran community.
Body:
The Impact of Chronic Kidney Failure:
Chronic Kidney Failure, also known as CKF, is a serious health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Among veterans, the prevalence of CKF is strikingly high, with statistics indicating that 1 in 6 veterans grapple with this debilitating illness. This alarming rate underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and support for our military heroes who are battling CKF.
Understanding the Causes:
Several factors contribute to the development of CKF among veterans. These include exposure to environmental toxins during military service, deployment-related stress, inadequate access to healthcare services, and underlying health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. The unique experiences and challenges veterans face can significantly impact their risk of developing CKF, highlighting the importance of tailored interventions and support systems.
The Journey of Veterans with CKF:
For veterans living with CKF, the journey is often fraught with physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Managing the symptoms of CKF, undergoing dialysis treatments, and navigating the complexities of the healthcare system can take a toll on their overall well-being. Additionally, the impact of CKF extends beyond the individual, affecting their families, caregivers, and support networks.
Empowering Veterans Through Education and Support:
In light of the high prevalence of CKF among veterans, it is crucial to prioritize education, early detection, and comprehensive support services for this vulnerable population. By raising awareness about the risk factors associated with CKF, promoting regular screenings, and fostering a culture of proactive healthcare management, we can empower veterans to take control of their health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the common symptoms of CKF?
Common symptoms of CKF include fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles, changes in urination patterns, nausea, and shortness of breath.
How is CKF diagnosed?
CKF is typically diagnosed through blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies, and kidney biopsies.
What treatment options are available for CKF?
Treatment options for CKF include medication management, lifestyle modifications, dialysis, and kidney transplantation.
Can CKF be prevented?
While certain risk factors for CKF are beyond control, adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing underlying health conditions, and attending regular medical check-ups can help reduce the risk of developing CKF.
How can veterans access support for CKF?
Veterans can seek support for CKF through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), community healthcare providers, support groups, and advocacy organizations dedicated to veteran health.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, chronic kidney failure is a significant health concern among veterans, necessitating a comprehensive and compassionate approach to care. By raising awareness, promoting early detection, and providing tailored support services, we can enhance the lives of veterans living with CKF. Let us stand together in support of our military heroes and champion their health and well-being.
Remember, knowledge is power, and through understanding and empathy, we can make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by chronic kidney failure.
Yesterday I picked up our truck from the mechanic who went through it for us and added some modifications. It now has a cold air intake but with the temperature in the 20s doesn’t really need it. It also has a dual exhaust that is lowder than I wanted but it is what it is. I can’t tell if the performance chip we had installed is working as advertised – time will tell. I have lots to do to figure out all there is to find out about the 9″ screen replacement. It is running Android 13 and I married it to our local network but that’s about as far as I’ve advanced. I don’t know if it will display the TCM functions, oil checks, etc.
I have nothing new to report regarding dialysis. My blood pressure has been running high, with diastolic readings in the 150 to 178 range. My dialysis nurse suggested I start mixing in 2.5 bags on a more or less regular basis, which I did. This pulled about three more pounds out of me, fluids, I’m certain, but it did not improve my BP. I also used some heparin in each bag, as my wife saw some residue in the toilet where we dump the drain. Other than that everything is progressing well and we are on schedule this week.
I woke up Sunday morning to 20F weather but sunny. I lit a 68K btu propane heater I recently purchased to heat our garage so I could work in some degree of comfort. Within an hour, with the heater turned down as low as it would go, the temperature in the garage was 95F, and needless to say, I was able to start cleaning and straightening it up. I also, put the license plates on my wife’s BMW.
Coming up this week I have Monday and Friday to myself. On Tuesday I have our truck and BMW scheduled for new windshields. Wednesday I have a neck sonogram to see how my caratery arteries are doing. Thursday I have a go-around with my dermatologist with several target sites on my facial area in question.
I took our “new” Ram 1500 truck to a windshield repair place for an estimate on fixing the many (5 or more) fairly severe rock dings in the windshield. The estimate was close to $200 since there are so many, and a little over $300 for a new windshield, which is what they recommended, and I’m going with it. We took our golden retriever Dickens to Canine Fitness Camp a short distance away Wednesday for a romp with other dogs when I noticed an 8-inch and growing crack in the windshield on the right side. Earlier in the month while traveling on a Fort Worth Zoomer we were behind a truck that threw up a rock into the windshield. At the time nothing resulted a couple of weeks later it did. Talked to “our” windshield guy for $411.xx We are replacing the windshield with our “new” 2023 BMW 330xi. Both of these replacements will take place next Tuesday.
I am having extreme difficulty with an Amazon provided getting a handle on our order for a set of side rails for the truck. The Amazon status is and has been in a do-loop going round and round bouncing back and forth between at seller’s dock and held up due to weather. I tried talking to the firm selling the product and got back shipping is Amazon’s problem. On the Amazon site, they have recognized the delivery is late and state that if I do not have it by Jan 17 I can thereafter request a refund. This in no way helps me receive the product which is the single most critical thing I need for the truck since it is a 4WD and higher and difficult to get up into.
