Re: Check Ins, Reassurances, and Concerns, 12/16

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Still doing fine here. Really glad I got boosted when I did with Omicron on the horizon.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 1:20 PM
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Omicron hit my three year old daughter's daycare hard, she had one rough day of fever, but bounced back very quickly. My wife and I are still negative (both boosted), but I have mild cold type symptoms, so I'm not sure if I believe it. Between isolation and winter break, she won't be back into school until January 2nd, so we're prepping for a long December.


Posted by: Light Rail Tycoon | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 1:26 PM
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I just talked to a neighbor for about an hour, or rather listened to his monologue, about his criminal history and being homeless and bouncing back and forth between jail and the street (and the neighboring house, where he's sometimes allowed to stay and sometimes, specifically now, not). He had one boot off and his foot looks pretty bad -- lots of dead skin on the sole and big toe (honestly looked frostbitten to me but he said he hadn't had it exposed for long and I am not a doctor. It's been cold here for sure but... not that cold? Even in the torrential downpour?). He's having a ton of paranoid delusions about his parole officer, he admits to using various drugs, everyone he lives with is (most likely) having problems of one kind or another, there's a warrant out for his arrest, he doesn't understand half the things he's been charged with. Finally he asked me if I had a bike pump and I was happy to find a single thing that I could actually do for him. I also told him sternly to go to the hospital. If he'd asked, I think I would have given him a ride, but I didn't pressure him. I gave him a fresh tube for what looked like a dead tire, but I'm not sure it's the right size. For the first 10 minutes of the conversation or so he was crying so hard I could barely make out what he was saying. I definitely got the impression that the criminal justice system is dysfunctional and he is now in an endless loop of having no good options, daily arbitrary oppression, few trustworthy people in his life, and spiraling bad habits.

The whole thing shook me up a bit. I've heard plenty of angry or beseeching monologues from people who feel they've been ill-used, but I have very rarely seen a grown man cry that much.


Posted by: lurid keyaki | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 4:38 PM
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The whole thing shook me up a bit.

That sounds really intense.


Posted by: NickS | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 5:06 PM
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3: I can imagine it would.


Posted by: Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 5:12 PM
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Oh god, that's so much hardship and trauma to have unloaded on you. I'd go back to bed after that.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 5:28 PM
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Yeah, the other current was, I think, deep uneasiness about potentially getting sucked into something I couldn't assess or control. The guy is unusual in that, even in that abject state, he had boundaries: he didn't ask me for money, didn't follow me back to the house, didn't clamp onto my willingness to help and instantly max it out. I think I got his tire fixed finally, and it was a tube I had bought by mistake anyway, so that was strangely convenient. Hopefully it doesn't immediately break and he can move around without adding to the foot trauma. Bleak fucking world.


Posted by: lurid keyaki | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 6:15 PM
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Anyway:

2: Light Rail Tycoon!!


Posted by: lurid keyaki | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 6:35 PM
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7.1 is a really strong current for me.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 6:42 PM
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I'm Covid negative and now In the airport about to board my flight for NY. Still getting over my bronchitis so I anticipate getting a lot of side eye


Posted by: Barry Freed | Link to this comment | 12-16-21 7:56 PM
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In positive news, at least our mayor is actively protecting our precious bodily fluids.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 12-17-21 12:13 AM
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Lurid, that sounds awful. Well done.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-17-21 2:54 AM
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11: The good citizens of Heebieville passed an ordinance along those lines. That was back when I described Heebieville as the place where the far left and the far right met at the back of the circle.


Posted by: heebie-geebie | Link to this comment | 12-17-21 8:13 AM
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That sounds intense, lurid. All credit to you for staying and listening (sometimes that's the only thing you can do...).


Posted by: Just Plain Jane | Link to this comment | 12-17-21 7:42 PM
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NMM to Eve Babitz you perverts.

Now I am pretending to feel bad about not being able to finish her book.


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 12-17-21 8:03 PM
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That's not fair. I just learned who she was a couple of months ago.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-17-21 8:04 PM
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16: Yeah, me too. First time I ever heard of her was in a thread here a couple of months ago.


Posted by: Just Plain Jane | Link to this comment | 12-17-21 8:20 PM
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11 is hilarious.


Posted by: Yeet the Rich | Link to this comment | 12-18-21 6:43 AM
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Checking in from the lowlands in a fresh lockdown: It feels kinda weirdly reassuring and familiar to be back here, everyone will get super marked stocking fillers and everything is cancelled. Its a little like the realization that no one got you the perfect gift and it will not snow for Christmas, everyone adjusts their expectations in about an hour. I think that I was beginning to really feel the dread of the new variant, so to have the system around me respond, feels almost good?


Posted by: raster | Link to this comment | 12-18-21 11:12 PM
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I had the opposite reaction to the snap lockdown. I want to riot. This is the second year in a row in which we heard rumors of the lockdown just a few hours before, and we had to rush and do the Christmas shopping in a couple of hours.


Posted by: Walt Someguy | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 2:18 AM
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The government shut down the nether regions?


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 5:40 AM
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Anyway, I'm going to the football game because it's outside and the stadium is pretty strict about masks. Also, free tickets and my son has never been to a professional sports event unless you count the Pirates.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 6:39 AM
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21: Yes. Everything except grocery stores and pharmacies. Last time they kept liquor stores open (I don't know if they count as groceries or medicine), so I'm hopeful.


Posted by: Walt Someguy | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 7:12 AM
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It's still much easier to get liquor here than before covid, but not as easy as it was until this summer (when they stopped restaurants from serving to-go mixed drinks).


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 7:30 AM
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Got a note this morning from the friends with whom we had supper last night their daughter has tested positive. This is also bad news for the local (excellent) bookshop, where she has been working part time since the summer. I hope very much we're OK, not so much for my sake, or Ume's, but for the my sister's, who will have to spend Christmas on her own in a new house if we are isolating.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 9:40 AM
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25:. Good luck, NW!


Posted by: peep | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 9:56 AM
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25:. Good luck, NW!


Posted by: peep | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 9:56 AM
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Take care.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 11:06 AM
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Thanks. It will take a few days before we know what's happened, virus-wise.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 11:24 AM
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You just pee on the stick and see how many lines turn blue.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 11:33 AM
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best wishes to you and ume, nw. my bf just texted that she's got it, likely from her kindergartner who thankfully got his second shot just over 2 weeks ago. & bf boosted.


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 12:06 PM
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Yes, NW - wishing you, Ume, and your sister a safe, family Christmas.


Posted by: Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 1:25 PM
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I'm fine. Still baching another couple of weeks.


Posted by: CharleyCarp | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 2:36 PM
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Thinking of you and Ume, NW. May all your tests turn negative, and may all your Christmases be bright.


Posted by: Just Plain Jane | Link to this comment | 12-19-21 5:18 PM
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My wife has had some horrible COVID-like illness for 10 days. Constant cough, fever, tiredness. The full array of CV-19 symptoms. But, all tests are negative. She's had multiple PCRs and lateral flows. So, presumably, it's some other flu-like virus or bacterial chest infection or something. We've had to cancel several Christmas things.

Unfortunately, I'm now feeling a little unwell, but I'm hoping I don't get what she had or I get it milder. Generally speaking, I respond much more robustly to viruses than she does. In the past, where we've picked up the same virus, while she might be sick for a couple of weeks, I tend to have a couple of bad days and then get well pretty quickly.


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 4:31 AM
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That sounds horrible, Ttam. And a little strange. I don't think you could possibly fool multiple PCRs -- lateral flow tests are another matter -- so it's really bad luck to have something that so mimics covid, except, one hopes, fr the risk of death and so on. Get well soon, both of you


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 6:20 AM
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That sounds miserable. Regular flu?


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 6:55 AM
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35: Sounds miserable. PCR relies on a particular genetic sequence to match and amplify, so it's possible to have PCR fail if you have an unexpected mutation (or set of mutations) at a critical position. So, unlikely but not impossible. At any rate, not much functional difference and I hope she's better soon and that you avoid the worst.

NW, best to you and Ume while waiting. Fingers crossed.


Posted by: ydnew | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 9:23 AM
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I think we'll isolate till Wednesday morning and then take a PCR as well as a lat flow test. It seems you can only book the tests the evening before at the earliest, but I want to be sure of getting a result if we are in fact infected. Since the first three days after infection are neither infectious nor symptomatic, it seems silly to get tested before Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 10:59 AM
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I didn't manage to post before we got on the road. Now we are midway through Baton Rouge and I will be more likely to post tomorrow.

We are however halfway through the book on the Sacklers, and boy is this Arthur guy awful.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 12:24 PM
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We bought plane tickets for a dash to see MIL next week. We're both boostered, but have been lucky with Covid so far and hate the idea of throwing ourselves into the maw.

We did get to see a friend last weekend perform in a staged reading of the Merry Christmas George Bailey radio play. It was his second reading after a 10+ year hiatus, so it was good to see him. The audience (in Clovis) was probably only 20% masked; this was the weekend prior to the Governor's new masks for everyone mid-December to mid-January order.


Posted by: Mooseking | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 1:30 PM
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So how real is the rotating villain hypothesis, and to what extent is it ever knowable who the silent partners are?


Posted by: lurid keyaki | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 1:34 PM
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I'm not going to say something isn't real, but Manchin is basically a coal baron and effectively invulnerable to anything a progressive can do to him but vulnerable to huge numbers of former Democrats who voted for Trump.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 1:46 PM
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I admit to hoping he'd do differently, but it was always hope based on him figuring he'd had a long enough career and would rather help his country and state in his last term than try to hold on in the Senate until debility sets in.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 1:55 PM
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re: 36

I'm fairly sure it must be flu, or some kind of other seasonal respiratory virus. She's still unwell but noticeably better than a couple of days ago, so it seems to be waning.


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 2:47 PM
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Let's see: in the last week...
-my sister fell and broke three ribs
-I had my first ever gran mal seizure
-an in-law had a minor heart attack
-and some jerk stole a package I was really looking forward to off the front porch

Nope, no idea what caused the seizure -- blood and CT scan showed nothing. Nothing since then, thankfully.


Posted by: Natilo Paennim | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 3:50 PM
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46 - Ugh, sorry Natilo.


Posted by: Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 4:23 PM
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Oof, that's a rough week. Sorry, Natilo.

And fingers crossed for NW & Ttam and family.


Posted by: NickS | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 4:59 PM
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I just got back from a Planning Board meeting where a couple of us tried to NIMBY a new Hobby Lobby that's coming to town. It didn't work, we're getting a Hobby Lobby.


Posted by: Spike | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 7:02 PM
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49: Why does your town want that? My current town (42,000 population) has representative town meeting, but I don't really know my Town Meeting member. I am moving to a slightly smaller, but not small, town (24k) which is run on the basis of an open Town Meeting, so now I am thinking of being an active participant in local government.


Posted by: Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 7:24 PM
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I don't think we do want that, but it turns out that if a Hobby Lobby wants to move into the old JC Penney space an a mostly empty strip mall, there is not actually much that can be done to stop them under NH law.

I will say that participating in local government is a great way to meet people who live in your town.


Posted by: Spike | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 7:49 PM
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We've been preparing to drive to northern Virginia to see my family, and have been so worried about coming up with COVID-related safety and testing and contingency plans that we were even less prepared to be sideswiped by a lower back injury and a UTI in the days leading up to the trip. Ugh.

(Between those and Omicron, I'm wondering what the threshold is for cancelling the trip entirely, especially given that we haven't seen my mom in 2.5 years and she's starting to descend into Alzheimers dementia)


Posted by: Nathan Williams | Link to this comment | 12-20-21 8:17 PM
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About your mum, I'd say hurry while stocks last. That may sound heartless but it isn't.
Natilo, I'm sorry for your clearly horrible week.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-21-21 1:03 AM
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52: Yeah, I think it's important to try. PCR, then antigen before driving, respirator/n95/kf94 masks, test in the car before you go in the house and test on the 2nd or 3rd day after you go.


Posted by: Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 12-21-21 3:36 AM
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The CEO of our local hospital chain was interviewed on CNN. They are out of beds or nearly so at all facilities. This is all still Delta hospitalizations, none of the Omicron wave yet. Locally, new infections are lower but still 60/100,000ish and not falling particularly fast. No one is cancelling Christmas. I wish I could bail on a lot of it, but will rapid test as much as possible. Most of the inlaws are vaxxed (and several have had it as well), so also holding onto that as a reason it's OK to show up.


Posted by: ydnew | Link to this comment | 12-21-21 7:15 PM
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This, though, is even worse. -- a reddit story referenced by a D congressman -- Intensive care doctor talks about the assaults from deranged family members. I think that qualifies rather more than the NHS for the idea of a collapsing health care system.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 1:17 AM
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55: we are highly vaccinated here, but hospitalizations are still going up - mostly unvaccinated but a decent number of unboosted older people. Coupled with the increase in people seeking care for other stuff that was deferred our system is under strain.
Nothing like other areas, but I still think we need a state wide mask mandate to curb transmission. The governor has an advisory only and some cities/towns have mandates. Meanwhile, elective procedures that require inpatient admission are being stopped.


They don't accept rapid antigen negative to clear people for work, so if a bunch of HCWs get infected and are out for 10 days that's a problem. Not sure that a surgical mask is enough to prevent transmission - say in an infusion unit with cancer patients.


Posted by: Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 4:53 AM
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56: The link doesn't work for me, but I assume you're talking about this story which is depressing and awful: https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2021/12/america-gone-mad


Posted by: NickS | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 7:31 AM
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So RWM and I (both boosted) have come down with the mildest of typical Omicron breakthrough symptoms (sore throat, headache, the slightest bit of congestion), but I got a PCR test and it came back negative (I can get them easily through work, finding tests for her is a big pain). Should I still cancel travel plans anyway? Seems like I should right, could be a false negative and even if it's a cold then anyone who catches it has to go get tested too. Should I get a second pcr test today?


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 8:52 AM
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56, 58: that story had such Penthouse Forum "you wouldn't believe this happened to me!" vibes that I thought it was fake. It seemed just so over the top. But I saw elsewhere someone saying "the poster's long history of posting on this forum confirms that he is who he says he is." I still have a twinge of skepticism.


Posted by: chill | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 9:06 AM
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59: I would not cancel for that, but then I have those symptoms roughly half of the time.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 9:09 AM
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Yeah, the main alternate theory is that the weird warm days last week somehow triggered an allergy in both of us.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 9:11 AM
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Assuming no symptoms, we're going to take home tests on Thursday and go see the grandparents on Christmas Eve if negative. Everyone is boosted (except for the teen), it's probably going to get much worse before it gets better, and my mother-in-law's food is great.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 9:13 AM
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62: It's been cold then warm then cold. The change always makes me a bit sick.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 9:15 AM
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I don't understand how everyone got home tests. They're all sold out here.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 9:15 AM
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I bought them last week.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 9:23 AM
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The last couple of days have involved NIMBY drama on the neighborhood listserv -- one of my neighbors found out about a plan to park four (!!) residential RVs in an unused church parking lot, part of the city's beleaguered Safe Parking pilot program, and whipped up a petition opposing it, which had 90+ signatures last time I checked. It's really extra special to do this days before Christmas, but I guess no one gets safe parking for Christmas. I sent an exceedingly polite and docile (but maybe also obviously passive-aggressive?) message asking some questions and saying that I was not going to sign the petition. The petition author replied with more justification and then a peremptory "I did not intend to use this forum other than to inform" (and circulate a petition) and another neighbor chimed in to defend him this morning, talking about how he had moved to this neighborhood to have a safe place to raise his kids etc. I don't think I am going to waste ammunition on this particular obviously-lost battle, but it's a good reminder to get involved in a more substantive way.


Posted by: lurid keyaki | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 9:47 AM
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I'm mentally removed from that type of housing issue. It took me a beat to realize this was people living in the RVs, not complaining about the visual of looking at parked trailers.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 10:12 AM
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59: Do you usually get each other sick if one gets a cold? We don't usually, and if we do, there's a lag of a couple days, which makes me think maybe yours isn't a cold unless you got it at the same time (rare for us since it's usually a coworker). Since PCR is easy for you to do, I'd restest for peace of mind, then go ahead with plans unless you get worse.


Posted by: ydnew | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 10:20 AM
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Also, passing along that my friend has Omicron and told me they got 3 false negatives on PCR tests before testing positive. Great.


Posted by: lurid keyaki | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 10:23 AM
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Yikes.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 10:38 AM
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PCR tests early on have shockingly high false negatives, but I have no idea what "early on" means because it's in number of days post-exposure, and I don't know how this has changed with Omicron which moves faster.

I don't really think it's allergies at this point, I think we're both sick with something. But so far it's much more mild than even a typical cold. One thing I read, but am not sure if I believe, is that you can have an immune response from being exposed but might still test negative because the immune response was fast enough to stop much of an infection.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 10:46 AM
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Maybe I'll have to reëvaluate with Omicron, but I sort of decided a while ago that to avoid constant testing, I'd have to ignore minor allergy-related symptoms.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 10:53 AM
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The Lisinopril doesn't help either.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 10:59 AM
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On the plus side, they trapped the bear that was dumpster diving on the hill above downtown Pittsburgh.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 11:11 AM
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part of the city's beleaguered Safe Parking pilot program,

I was trying to make this happen in my city but gave up when covid happened and it became clear that nobody wanted anyone from out of state parking anywhere. At some point I hope to try again.


Posted by: Spike | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 12:25 PM
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Ended up cancelling. Not sure how much it's using this as an excuse (we weren't psyched about flying into the Omicron storm to begin with), vs actual worry about a false negative, but at any rate happy with the decision.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: “Pause endlessly, then go in.” (9) | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 1:26 PM
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Flying would be an issue for me to. I did just cancel our visit to the gym. Don't want to risk it for the olds.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 1:34 PM
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Plus 'o'.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 1:36 PM
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My PCR came back positive this afternoon, so that's Christmas fucked. Ume's was negative and she seems quite OK. But I, though double-jabbed and boostered, have a sore throat, a headache, and a general seedy feeling. Not worse than a bad cold. Assuming it doesn't get worse the only problems will arise from isolation. No guests for Christmas, which is more of a drag for them than for us. The goose will stay in the butcher's freezer until Jan 2nd.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 1:43 PM
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NickS -- yes, that was the story I meant. I believe it entirely.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 1:46 PM
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80: oh shit. Keep feeling not-too-bad.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 2:10 PM
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Oh, I'm sorry, NW. Boo. Boo.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 2:14 PM
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Sorry to hear that, NW. Hope it continues to be mild and doesn't last long.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 2:18 PM
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Sorry to hear that. Omicron is really feeling inevitable, isn't it.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 2:22 PM
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Yes. Of its inevitable and mild that may be good news of a sort. At least until the next wave.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 2:27 PM
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take care of yourself nw!


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 2:29 PM
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Ugh, that's rotten news, NW.

We're on the verge of cancelling our trip as well. My wife was just upgraded from macrobid to cipro for her infection, so the best case now is that that her infection improves but the cipro makes her feel miserable for the entirety of the trip, and we're far from home if she starts to get worse.


Posted by: Nathan Williams | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 3:07 PM
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Best wishes for NW, Ume, and Nat.


Posted by: Barry Freed | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 3:45 PM
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The big wildcard here is how good of protection Omicron infection gives against Delta infection. We know that Omicron is good at reinfection people who had Delta, but I don't think we know much at all yet about the other direction. If Omicron gives good protection against Delta, then we have one bad month and then things should improve dramatically. If it doesn't, then it probably continues on like the fall for a bit longer.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 3:54 PM
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Hope it's not too brutal, NW. Keep us posted.

88.last: ugh, I've actually been through that (gotta love the "your tendons may spontaneously snap" warnings for Cipro) and it sucked a lot. Unfortunately the symptomatic irritation took significantly longer to go away than the infection itself, which also made me freak out endlessly about whether it was actually gone or possibly MRSA or whatever. I think they gave me some soothing pill once I tested negative for infection, but I forget what it was. Much sympathy and good wishes to her and the rest of you. And Natilo, and everyone else really.


Posted by: lurid keyaki | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 6:12 PM
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Yes, take care everybody. I'm watching out for myself by making those peanut butter cookies with Hersey's Kisses in the middle. It's been a long time since I ate a Hersey's Kiss, but I think somebody shrunk them.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 6:33 PM
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Apparently, they found Omicron in Allegheny County poops now. So I guess we start our build up in cases soon.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 6:42 PM
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I'm watching out for myself by making those peanut butter cookies with Hersey's Kisses in the middle.

I made those last week. They're called Peanut Butter Blossoms, mobes.


Posted by: Just Plain Jane | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 6:58 PM
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Crap, Natilo, I just read further up. I'm so sorry.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-22-21 7:10 PM
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Heebie in 40: are you listening to an audiobook version? Do you have a link?


Posted by: Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 4:22 AM
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Sure, here ya go! It's "Empire of Pain".

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08NFF9ZNY/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1639358729&sr=8-1


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 7:25 AM
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Hey Pennsylvania commenters: my mom is writing donation checks and asked me my opinion of Fetterman. What's my opinion of Fetterman?


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 7:31 AM
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His wife used to shop at our Whole Foods, so they're good people.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 7:55 AM
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100

Kobe!


Posted by: Doug | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 8:10 AM
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I'm just not donating in primaries because I don't want to find myself emotionally attached to someone who doesn't get the nomination and so I can donate more in the general. I think Fetterman is a better candidate than Lamb, but I don't know about the candidates who don't live within ten miles of me.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 8:14 AM
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I'm happy with either Fetterman or Lamb, whoever is more likely to win (which isn't obvious to me, Lamb is more moderate but Fetterman has a more xtreme masculine persona). I think money would be better spent on the general (though I have distant personal connections to Fetterman that may result in my giving him money anyway). I don't think Lamb is an asshole like Sinema, though you might get some Tester-like defections on votes that don't matter.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: “Pause endlessly, then go in.” (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 8:20 AM
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It isn't obvious to me who is the better candidate either.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 8:49 AM
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I too have been uncertain who (Lamb or Connor) would be more likely to win against whatever asshole they will to run against in the Fall. I'm just glad said asshole won't be Sean Parnell.


Posted by: Rance | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 8:53 AM
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105

Newt is stuck in Toronto due to Covid-test bureaucracy, and probably won't make it home for Christmas. I'm sad about this.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 8:59 AM
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I'm sorry, what a mess.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 9:06 AM
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A big wildcard to me is whether Fetterman appeals to Black voters. He got elected many times in a Black-majority town, but he's unpopular with a lot of Black Democratic leaders. But appealing to voters in a state-wide campaign isn't the same as local retail politics in a small town and also isn't the same as appealing to insiders, so I have no idea.

I wonder what my dad thinks of Fetterman. Fetterman's got a real "testimony" that I feel like would really appeal to born again Christians who aren't hardcore rightwingers.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 9:15 AM
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He can take the train to Montreal, get a rid to a small town near the border, walk across into the part of New York where they keep the nature, and hop a train in Plattsburgh to NYC.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 9:17 AM
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That's a lot for two days though and it may be a crime.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 9:19 AM
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108: Great, I'm having feelings about the finale of The Americans


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 9:22 AM
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In the back of my head, I'm thinking of running away and hiking the Long Trail. The train from NYC to Plattsburgh is one way there.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 9:24 AM
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Obviously, you could cross the border into Vermont, hike the Long Trail to the Appalachian Trail until you get to Pawling, NY. From there, you can get the Metro North's Harlem Line (only on weekends and holidays).


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 9:32 AM
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||

NMM to Joan Didion

|>


Posted by: NickS | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 11:30 AM
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105: is crossing by land less bureaucratically complicated than air. Tim went in October (admittedly when the COVID situation was better), and it sounded like driving was easier than flying.


Posted by: Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 11:34 AM
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107: Is the reason to believe that Lamb is any more popular than Fetterman with Black voters? Would Democrats be better off nominating a Black candidate rather than either of those guys, or does that risk alienating more White swing voters than driving Black turnout? I think PA is only about 11% Black, so one probably does have to mainly worry about getting persuadable Whites.


Posted by: Yeet the Rich | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 11:43 AM
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Happy holidays, fellow olds. Hope everyone is well.


Posted by: will | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 11:44 AM
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will!


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:05 PM
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114: That is the fallback plan -- Greyhound bus home. But it's a miserably long ride.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:33 PM
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115: Nope, no reason, that's why it's a wildcard.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:38 PM
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Basically we know that Fetterman is more popular among Bernie-types, and Lamb is more popular with moderation-for-moderation's sake types. Maybe Fetterman is more popular with single-issue performing masculinity voters (which I assume is a big chunk of Obama/Trump voters), but maybe not since they also care about moderation. But they're both white western PA people, and I have literally no idea whether either of them can turn out Philly.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:41 PM
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115: Fetterman definitely has active detractors among the local Black community, but I'm sure none of those people like Lamb, either, and I'm also sure virtually all of them will turn out to vote for either in the General. Same for basically every politically-engaged Dem. So the question becomes who will actually goose turnout among (A) casual Dems (ie, ppl who mostly only vote every 4 years), or (B) Obama-Trump voters, of which PA quite famously has many. (A) includes Black voters (esp. younger and maler), but also less-educated Dems, so it's not as if appealing to Blacks is the only way to increase (A) turnout.

Meanwhile, it is completely unclear to me whether Lamb or Fetterman appeals more to (B). DLC types are certain that it's all-American veteran Lamb with his center-right politics, dirtbag left types are certain it's dirtbag-looking Fetterman. I think the latter is an absurd stereotype, but I can't get my head around the mindset of a Obama-Trump voter, so who the fuck knows?

I do think Fetterman comes off as a kind of unserious figure, which would seem to hurt him with ambivalent voters, but that's not apparently a big issue for Obama-Trump voters, so...


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:42 PM
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118: What about Greyhound to Syracuse or Buffalo or something, then fly?


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:43 PM
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120 is more or less pithier 121.


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:44 PM
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One thing that November should show us is that the cannabis-as-turnout-booster concept is pure myth/projection, and that Fetterman won't gain anything from making that a hobbyhorse over the past 4 years. Conceivably he could parlay that into a relationship with on-the-ground activists* in Philly, but if he hasn't already, it's too late.

*ie legalize-and-expunge types


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:46 PM
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A certain amount of Fetterman's appeal/plan is based on weed. I have no idea if that will work (politically).


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:47 PM
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125 before seeing 124.

Hi.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:47 PM
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122: Air service in upstate NY is pretty terrible, even (maybe especially?) to NYC. It's a surprisingly difficult region to access by any means except driving.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:51 PM
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I did fly to a wedding at Cornell once, but that was from Pittsburgh and was 20 years ago (back when U.S. Air was huge thing).


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:53 PM
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Yeah, the connections that exist are mostly to the west and south.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:55 PM
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We had to fly to Syracuse but it got canceled on the way out so we flew home from Binghamton.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 12:57 PM
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At one point the only direct flights to Ithaca were from Detroit. They were really expensive so people mostly flew into Syracuse instead.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:02 PM
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Detroit's not so surprising, it's the most likely place for Delta to fly to Ithaca from. American you'd probably expect Philly and United you'd expect Newark or Dulles.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:11 PM
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I don't get it. It's really too far to drive from Syracuse to Detroit.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:13 PM
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Yeah, checking now, of the small (i.e. non-Syracuse) central/southern tier NY airports, Ithaca has Philly, Detroit, DC, Charlotte; Elmira has Detroit plus some allegiant Florida vacation flights; Binghamton just has Detroit. I'm a little surprised at the Charlotte flight and maybe at the lack of a Newark flight, but otherwise it's what you expect.


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:17 PM
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My mom is openly passively suicidal. She tells me multiple times a day that she's ready to die, ready to be buried. It's kind of a gut punch.

I suppose if you're going to lose a parent, there's an argument that it's better if they feel like their life has come to its natural conclusion.

She doesn't have a life threatening or terminal condition at the moment, so there's not actually any reason her wish will come true in the immediate future, aside from generally seeming like she's winding down, and having health emergencies this past fall.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:19 PM
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Doesn't "a kind of unserious figure" mean "authentic" to Real Americans?


Posted by: Unfoggetarian: "Pause endlessly, then go in." (9) | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:20 PM
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135: I'm sorry. That's rough all around.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:23 PM
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135: Wow, what a disconcerting thing to hear. How old is she?


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:23 PM
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If there's no obvious cause (chronic pain, social isolation), would it make sense for her to see a shrink for antidepressants? Or maybe as a first step check all her medications for mood effects, whether singly or in combination? That sounds like it could be a fixable chemical problem.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:32 PM
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She's 75. She survived esophageal cancer 12 years ago, which aged her considerably though. She is acting like a very elderly 75.

She's supposed to get rid of the colostomy bag in January and get hooked back up, which might renew her lease on life a bit, hopefully.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:33 PM
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And how's your father (who I believe is still around?)? If he is, this must be very stressful for him.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:33 PM
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There's definitely obvious causes, unfortunately - two bouts of unexpected, excruciating pain landing her in the ER over the past few months. Slow, uncertain recovery. Very low energy, some back pain (which is responding to gentle exercise, in a good way). She hates the colostomy bag. She goes for walks 3x/day to walk the dog, probably 1.5 miles, and it sort of wipes her out completely for the times in between. But she's a bit ritualistically rigid in general and would not alter this.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:38 PM
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My dad is being just truly great. He's generally a mellow, optimistic guy, and he's just channeling that into being attentive and supportive. If asked directly, he's got his worries, but he's also an MD so he's pretty clear that strictly medically, there's no reason she shouldn't make a full recovery.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:41 PM
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IIRC from when my grandmother had it done, getting your plumbing hooked back after a colostomy is kind of painful too.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 1:48 PM
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Heebie, I'm so sorry. My grandmother did this for a while before she died. 139 is good advice. I'd start with a geriatric psychiatrist if you can. They can be better for older folks who need different dosing of antidepressants (if indicated) and are used to managing folks who take multiple meds for physical issues in addition to mental ones. I hope this is something correctable, and if it's not, you have my sympathy. It's a terrible thing to listen to, especially over and over.


Posted by: ydnew | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 2:51 PM
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Heebie, I'm so sorry. My grandmother did this for a while before she died. 139 is good advice. I'd start with a geriatric psychiatrist if you can. They can be better for older folks who need different dosing of antidepressants (if indicated) and are used to managing folks who take multiple meds for physical issues in addition to mental ones. I hope this is something correctable, and if it's not, you have my sympathy. It's a terrible thing to listen to, especially over and over.


Posted by: ydnew | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 2:51 PM
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I'm sorry, heebie. (Seconding depression workup. Depression can be a completely rational response to a shit hand and be treatable.) And Newt. And Natilo.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 2:51 PM
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Geez, I have to press and hold basically every button on this phone, but not the "Post" button here . . .


Posted by: ydnew | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 2:52 PM
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Natilo, best to you, hope this week is better.

LB, I'm sorry Newt won't make it home. Stupid pandemic.


Posted by: ydnew | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 2:54 PM
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120-121: The common denominator of Obama and Trump is the theme of change. Obama-Trump voters seemingly must be low-information, obviously, but also inclined to vote for whoever seems as if they'll shake up the status quo. That's clearly Fetterman, in terms of style as well as substance.


Posted by: Yeet the Rich | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 2:54 PM
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I forgot I asked about Fetterman! Thanks to all who chimed in.

And LB, that's crappy. I'm sorry.


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 12-23-21 4:31 PM
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All nose-mining was successful.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 12-24-21 8:56 AM
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Heebie, so sorry, that sounds awful, but also maybe not a surprising response to what she's gone through recently, so maybe with time and improved circumstances (and/or meds as others recommended) her outlook will change? Severe pain is so hard on one mentally. Also condolences to Natilo and LB.


Posted by: chill | Link to this comment | 12-24-21 9:14 AM
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Heebs, that's horrible. Both my parents felt like that before they actually died: my father was deeply depressed, and with good reason and my mother ust felt she had gone on too long. That may have started off as a depression but reality caught up with it, and in the year of lockdowns there was very little I could do to comfort her effectively. In fact a part of me agreed with her, as I did not with my father. But your mother doesn't sound as if she's objectively in such an awful state, which is a long way of seconding 139. You'd want a therapist who did more than prescribe pills, though. wondering whether your life is worth continuing is not just a chemical imbalance.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 12-24-21 10:13 AM
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