A trail cam update, featuring one photo from each of the usual suspects (minus a raccoon). Sadly the camera isn't able to capture the two deer fawn who were literally running all the way round my house as they were playing, which was utterly adorable.
... or is it side affects - I'm never quite sure. In the "industry", we call them adverse events. I was warned that the diabetes medication that I've started taking would have some gastroenterital side affects, and boy they weren't wrong. It's a good job that I haven't gone into the office yet since I started the medication. We are talking explosive diarrhea (yes, I know that is the American English spelling) and significant flatulence. It is not pleasant. But getting better as my body adjusts to the medication. And you have my word it is the medication causing this, and not any junk food I'm trying to cut down on.
A stretch of road near me has been fully closed since 20 June, and is not due to open again until the end of August. They are apparently replacing a culvert that is preventing the passage of fish. Not quite sure why it takes 2 months to replace a pipe, and why the entire road needs to be closed. Whatever. It's kind of a pain in the ass - it doesn't affect my commute, but does mean that I have to take long detours to get to some destinations like the supermarket or some of my regular hiking trails. But it has also caused a welcome reduction in the amount of traffic that goes outside my house (and, not coincidentally, a welcome reduction in the amount of litter!). With the road closure, people can no longer use my road as a cut-through. Let's hope it stays that way once the road reopens.
... it's also relics. Here are a couple I got recently:
These are not the best examples I've got and generally they kind of suck. For example I'd rather have a whole police badge than just a bit of one. But at least I know they're genuine and have actually appeared in a Bond film (and they're numbered, so they have some value).
Yesterday - in a word - sucked. 10+ hours stuck in waiting rooms and treatment rooms. Discovering (or, if I'm going to be honest, confirming what I already feared) that I am suffering from hyperglycemia. All the symptoms I've been experiencing over the last month suggested that. But I think I was in a state of denial and hoping it would just go away on it's own accord. But it didn't, so finally went to an urgent care clinic (essentially just a walk-in clinic). They checked my blood sugar level, and immediately told me I should go to emergency care. I did - and after an excruciating 3 hour wait, they finally took me into a trauma room (!) and hooked me up to a saline IV for a few hours to reduce my blood sugar level. Between urgent care and emergency care, I provided so many blood samples, urine samples, finger pricks. I'm actually dreading how much of this my health insurance is going to cover, and how much I'm going to have to pay for myself. And it's a sad indictment of the American healthcare system that I have to worry about that. Ultimately, I've started on a new diabetes medication, I've got a couple of follow-up visits already scheduled and will plan to have more regularly scheduled appointments going forward, and perhaps most importantly I need to improve my diet. Two major takeaways. Patience. You really need it when you're dealing with the healthcare system, especially emergency care. And sacrifice. Something I am going to have to do when it comes to my diet. Something I'm not going to be happy about, but realize it's necessary.
No blog post today, as I just got back from an unexpected and unwelcome visit to urgent care, and then emergency care. Details to follow (or not, depending on what I feel like sharing). But I'm home now in one piece - safe and well.
Ah yes, a classic theme from a classic early 90's Channel 4 game show with the best presenter ever.