Sunday, June 14, 2020

LIFE MOVING FORWARD

Blogging was mostly not on my agenda this past week.  Now that I’m feeling closer to being back among the living, thought I’d put a few words here. 

Life has presented another of its unexpected intrusions into my usual activities which accounts for why I haven’t written here since the end of May.   Seems ordinary infections (likely not Covid-19, though I haven’t been tested) decided to gang up to complicate my life.  I could easily write pretty negative commentary on how my medical needs were addressed, causing me to experience more pain than I should have though I have a high tolerance level.

Suffice it to say for the first time ever I finally had to resort to using telemedicine which, so far, has proven to be a correct choice.   So with medication quelling infection I can get back to any follow-up with my regular GP’s and specialist’s medical care without needlessly having to call 911 to go to the hospital emergency room. 

In addition to regularly checking my temperature, I had recently purchased a pulse oximeter to track my oxygen saturation levels since people with Covid-19 can experience levels out of the norm in some instances, according to this Yale Medicine article discussing whether or not everyone should purchase an oximeter. 

...it’s important to know that a level between 95 and 97% is considered normal by the American Lung Association; anything below that would be a reason to call a doctor, and anything under 90% would be a reason to go to the emergency room.”

I continue to have real concern with the instances of individuals gathering without following safety precautions, the ramifications for the future spread of Covid-19.  I will remain “safe at home”,  limiting my outings to only being in my car for pick-ups, select drive-thru restaurants. 

Some poor troll or their bot with nothing better to do keeps trying to obtain free promotion leaving cutsie comments on many of my blog posts, current and earlier.  After multiple efforts to publish on the same post you’d think they could figure out it wasn’t working – is easy for me to send to spam. 

Unfortunately, I reacquainted myself with the floor in my bedroom the end of the week, so have some re-strengthening or acquiring possibly more support for a rebellious leg in my immediate future.  Getting up off the floor when you live alone can present a challenge.  I have invented in my mind a “tush lifter” but won’t pursue manufacture.

So much more happened this past week with which most reading here are likely quite familiar – a social justice long overdue in this nation evolved into Black Lives Matter groups protest marches across this nation.   A triggering video showing the death of a black man as an example of alleged police brutality enraged all.   Protests have emerged around the world.   I could elaborate extensively on how the White House occupant, and other so-called administrators party to his antics, have or have not addressed these issues, but will say only he continues to disgust me.  

Before I started feeling less healthy I drove for a pickup I had scheduled.  A half mile from my home on famous old Route 66/Foothill Blvd. officers had just stopped traffic as a never-ending line of masked marchers streamed across the street headed downtown.  I was soon directed to turn, so had to circle around for a different route that initially took me up the street the marchers were coming down.   Uninvited tears came to my eyes seeing all ages, all genders, all races carrying their signs in a line of people that just went on forever.    I occasionally tooted my car’s horn, gave marchers a thumbs up which was all I could do.  I am past actually marching ability though my active involvement in issues has always taken a quite different form. 

Local news reported our police found a number of metal baseball bats, one filled with material to make it heavier, planted in bushes on a corner one block from my home.  The parade did not go that route as they headed to our police station.  Clearly some individuals had what could have been unpleasant actions thwarted.  Reportedly while march arrangements were made in advance with the police, those directing the action did not reveal their name(s).   

I wonder now -- will change actually continue to be made when the marches end?   Will the issue of racial discrimination and all that entails finally be confronted in open discussion by all?  Will serious sincere efforts be made to recognize we are all human, to treat all people equally, that skin color has nothing to do with equality?   What do you think about those prospects, oximeters or anything else I wrote about?

15 comments:

  1. Oximeter is an excellent idea, as with all personal health measurements, I suggest that you take your daily measurements always at the same time, esp. with oximeter and bp, to reach a meaninful, reliable picture.

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  2. Glad you were able to get meds to help. Just checked my oximeter and it was 95%--pretty good for a person with COPD. I keep mine handy and am mostly 95% to 96%.
    I do believe this movement will take hold better than others have. For one what you mentioned is that people of ALL races are participating. I was delighted to see that in the news coverage. That will catch the politicians eye.

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    1. That does sound like a pretty good % with your issues.

      I want to think that, too, with so many races involved. Now if the energy can just be translated into workable ideas for change. Individual belief systems must be examined.

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  3. I too invested in an Oxymeter and use telemedicine to keep my GP informed of my status regularly. I have not had any mishaps but have been enjoying the return of birds and insects to my garden that had stopped some years ago.

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    1. Sounds like you’re keeping up well on your medical status. Stay well! Only today did I learn my Dr. has been offering telemedicine so complained they hadn't told me sooner.
      Perhaps this virus keeping more people in, so birds, bugs and insects returning to their natural environment.

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  4. I do wonder about changes, I have heard much discussion lately on Women's Lives Matter as so many of us are murdered by partners and those who supposedly "care" for us. I can't see it happening in my lifetime.

    So sorry to hear about your health going sideways on you. We are so vulnerable living alone. But the alternative of "care" homes, much ravaged by this pandemic sounds far, far, worse.

    Note to self: get Oximeter.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Expect you’re right about more women issues correction not happening in our lifetimes. I do think progress in that area will continue if all keep speaking out, protest marching if necessary. Just as BLM need all races, genders, ages — women need the same and especially male support.

      Living alone is a challenge as we get older, have health issues, especially if no family and nearby friends have all died, moved away or both.

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  5. I'm so very sorry to hear that you have been so sick. :( I hope you are on the upswing re your health.

    I'm back from a 9 mo. blogging hiatus. Timing is everything. Take care!

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    1. Glad to see you’re back, will be visiting sooner or later but am not getting around to many others right now as I’m still in the throes of resolving medical issues since this corona virus so many have (still seems likely I do not) has thrown my doctors off by it all.

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  6. I've never heard of oximeters - not a concern in the UK at all. I'm also worried about big gatherings of people which must surely increase infection rates and the possibility of a second wave. But I went browsing in our local bookshop yesterday!

    It's good to see all the vociferous protests about George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks and the Black Lives Matter campaign. Whether that will lead to ordinary black people being better treated in their everyday lives remains to be seen. I sincerely hope so.

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    1. Finally had a telemed consult with my Dr. this afternoon. We didn't talk about Covid-19 except ever so briefly due to his time pressures, I think. Wanted to discuss his thoughts on the O2 factor, etc., as believe he has worked in past with infectious disease specialist.

      Yes, lets hope human equality will emerge.

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  7. Agreeing with WWW, I've been unhappy for the past three weeks that traction has never been achieved by "women's lives matter'. In a life article a week or so ago I read, "Why does it remain so difficult for outrage over the killing of Black women to be the tipping point for national protests challenging state violence?"

    It has always seemed to be OK for women to be killed - especially in domestic situations.

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    1. Really is appalling, isn't it! Too many consider women secondary status, some religious views in actual practice.

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  8. I’m hoping the same thing about change happening. Look at the Women’s March. It was huge. Did anything lasting happen from that? I agree with all your final questions. I hope this time... perhaps it was big enough, perhaps it went on long enough, perhaps enough people of different races coming together will be enough to get some change. I’m hopeful... but I don’t know.

    What a coincidence that my husband was just saying he wanted an oximeter. Hmmmm...

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