Went to visit my HIV Dr. today for a routine checkup

[Retired Engineer Bob]

He’s an infectious disease specialist. About my age, mid 50s. Haven’t seen him for a year and a half, my COVID concerns and two cancelled (by him) appointments.

Tests from March were great, viral load undetectable, T cells about 720. He told me once he wished he had more “boring patients like you”. News like that is always good to hear.

I told him about my retirement, stated that having my husband being able to provide both of us health insurance played a big part in my decision. He looked at me and stated health insurance is one of the biggest reasons he has not retired. He sat down and told me that he currently has over 10 patients on ventilators, none of them vaccinated. Folks argue with him “I don’t have COVID”, his response is that he knows COVID when he sees it. He has given up on trying to convince these people to make sure their family and friends are vaccinated. THEY WILL NOT LISTEN.

It made me realize what a horrible year and a half he must have had. Infectious disease specialists have certainly been stretched to the limit during this pandemic. I understand the cancelled appointments. To be compelled to treat folks for a now easily avoidable (GET THE VAX) disease must be maddening. Idiots may end the career of a gifted doctor.

[Demovictory9]

1. yep... get vaxxed... don't be stupid

[NullTuples]

2. Yep, get vaxxed. And yay, for being boring!

[Retired Engineer Bob]

5. I love being boring

Was diagnosed in ‘96. Buried my “partner” who died of AIDS in ‘94. My Dr. back then suggested I start the very recently released protease inhibitors, or I could wait until the virus did a number on my immune system and symptoms started to appear.

Tool me all of 3 seconds to decide to take the meds. I’ve been boring ever since.

[mgardener]

20. There is something wonderful about being boring.

For medical thing!!
If you are nice and boring, I bet that makes a medical person's day...

Stay safe everyone!

[Leghorn21]

3. Thanks for this great post, Bob, and so glad for your excellent numbers!

And I was thinking earlier today of all our people in hospitals who have doing this covid two-step for months and months on end, and now have to deal with certifiable nutcases who just want no part of THEIR OWN MISERABLE REALITY as they lie gasping for air… MAN??!?

I hope the doctors like yours will soon find a way to secure a measure of peace and sanity with certain patients and…not waste massive amounts of care and energy on them, you know? Move on to the next, and keep the frustration with the crazy people to a minimum…

Again, after all this time, congrats on your great health report!!!

[MLAA]

4. Congrats! On great numbers and having an excellent Dr. 💖

[AllyCat]

6. Congratulations on your continued good health!

What a disaster of a year or so it has been for so many.

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. Congratulations to you

I wish you continued good health. Your doctor is a saint for having to deal with so much stupidity.

[Retired Engineer Bob]

8. Not sure if I deserve any congratulations

All I did was take pills prescribed by mr Dr.

I have this feeling I am living on borrowed time. I am often disappointed I didn’t do more with it.

[lunatica]

9. Boring is quite the compliment coming from your doctor

I’m sure he’s had more than enough non-boring patients in the last year and a half. I feel for him!

[Retired Engineer Bob]

10. We compared reactions to the COVID shot

For me, #1 was not a big deal, #2 had me under the weather for 1 or 2 days.

For him, #1 layer him up for 3 days, #2 was not a big deal. He shrugged his shoulders and said folks reactions are different. We both agreed it’s better than being in an ICU on a vent.

Anti vax shitpeople should be held accountable. I’d like to see Tucker sued to the point he is living in a cardboard box under the underpass.

[Ace Rothstein]

11. The whole COVID isn't real thing is mind boggling to me.

I get the people who think their immune systems are enough, even though I completely disagree with them. The people who don't believe it is real have to be from a different planet.

[Warpy]

12. Health care people at all levels aren't getting burned out, they're getting FRIED

and I imagine compassion fatigue is hitting them hard right now as they see people who refused to protect themselves with FREE VACCINE coming in deathly ill, some with no hope of making it.

Once this crisis is mostly over, I think we're going to see huge shortages in health care at all levels.

I just hope that when people start counting up the losses, there is a huge backlash against right wing media including hucksters in the pulpit. It's probably too much to ask, but similar things have happened with other pandemics.

[Retired Engineer Bob]

15. Thank you

That was the point I most wanted to make. They are, quite literally, killing people and destroying careers.

Liability?

[Retired Engineer Bob]

17. They being the vax deniers. -n/t

[Skittles]

13. thank you

it's why I cannot get onboard with the "let them get covid, too bad if they die" sentiment - you have to take into account the people who have to care for these stupid, seriously ill people

[Nevilledog]

14. Yay!

[dflprincess]

16. My niece works at one of the larger hospitals in the area

she told me the same thing. There were patients claiming Covid was a hoax even as they were about to be put on a vent.

She also had patients refuse Covid test because they thought the hospitals would get paid more for each test they claimed was positive. Her standard response was "I get paid the same whether you take the test or not. I'll let the doctor know you refused." Often they would back down then - like they were afraid of crossing the doc.

[smirkymonkey]

23. I would just tell patients like that, "Fine, leave then and don't come back. Go die at home and

leave the rest of us out of it." I am sick of these idiots. If they want to destroy their own lives, that's one thing, but they shouldn't have the right to drag the rest of us down with them. Especially health care workers.

[dickthegrouch]

18. Glad you're doing well

It’s good to hear that some of these new meds are working long term without discernible side effects.

[nature-lover]

19. My doctor and others in the practice retired early. Scrambling to find another.

Can't blame him for getting out.

[Nululu]

21. Two of my doctors retired this year. My GP and pancreas surgeon.

I'll miss them but understand. Dealing with so many idiots convinced they know better than their doctors.

[Texaswitchy]

22. Why are they even going to a doctor.

Just stay home and die.