• Re: Good news

    From Jimmy Anderson@618:250/24 to Sean Dennis on Fri Oct 31 21:25:34 2025
    Sean Dennis wrote to All <=-

    Hi everyone,

    Good news: I'm scheduled for my cataract surgeries finally! October
    22 for my left eye and November 12 for my right eye.

    I get my insulin pump tomorrow and if I can get my A1C below 8% soon,
    I'll be able to schedule my foot reconstruction surgery.

    It's nice to finally be getting things done with my health.

    Great to hear!!!



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  • From Jimmy Anderson@618:250/24 to Sean Dennis on Fri Oct 31 21:25:34 2025
    Sean Dennis wrote to Daryl Stout <=-

    Be sure that you read it right. Several years ago, this YL, who
    was type 1 diabetic, misread the reading, and gave herself too much insulin. It ended up causing a fatal heart attack on Christmas night.

    The pump will prevent that from happening but if it did, I have
    powdered Glucagon to reverse that.

    Powdered? Not familiar. My wife is HYPO glycemic, and carries
    glucagon shots with her. I need to check on this...


    ... I'm not afraid of flying, I'm afraid of crashing.
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  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to Jimmy Anderson on Tue Nov 4 13:22:03 2025
    Jimmy Anderson wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

    Powdered? Not familiar. My wife is HYPO glycemic, and carries
    glucagon shots with her. I need to check on this...

    It's called Baqsimi. https://www.baqsimi.com/

    -- Sean

    ... Red meat is not bad for you. Fuzzy green meat is bad for you.
    --- MultiMail/Win
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From Sean Dennis@618:618/1 to All on Fri Dec 19 09:27:47 2025
    Hi everyone,

    My new insulin pump (and its accessories) arrived last night. Very excited about it. :) Looked it up and the insulin pump is USD$14,000...

    -- Sean



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    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From TheCivvie@618:500/1 to Sean Dennis on Fri Dec 19 15:26:18 2025

    Hello Sean!

    19 Dec 25 09:27, you wrote to all:

    My new insulin pump (and its accessories) arrived last night. Very excited about it. :) Looked it up and the insulin pump is
    USD$14,000...

    Sweet Jes*s, that an amazingly lot of money to pay out. I never understand the US medical system where you have to oay for insulin but here it is free to all, poor and rich

    TheCivvie


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  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to TheCivvie on Sat Dec 20 17:31:23 2025
    TheCivvie wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

    Sweet Jes*s, that an amazingly lot of money to pay out. I never
    understand the US medical system where you have to oay for insulin but here it is free to all, poor and rich

    Things are changing here in the US but my insulin I take is patented so the cost is very high. Two pens of my U/500 cost around USD$1600 and that is
    with insurance. Now I pay $16 a box for two pens through the VA.

    However, things are getting cheaper here but still too much. God help the diabetic in the US that doesn't have insurance.

    -- Sean

    ... Love is a long term investment, not a quick return loan!
    --- MultiMail/Linux
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From August Abolins@618:400/23.10 to digimaus on Sun Dec 21 12:42:00 2025
    Hello digimaus!

    ** On Saturday 20.12.25 - 17:31, digimaus wrote to TheCivvie:

    Things are changing here in the US but my insulin I take is patented so
    the cost is very high. Two pens of my U/500 cost around USD$1600 and that is with insurance. Now I pay $16 a box for two pens through the VA.

    However, things are getting cheaper here but still too much. God help the diabetic in the US that doesn't have insurance.

    How's your president's promise of 400%, 800%, 1000% etc..
    discounts going with prescription drugs? :D

    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.64
    * Origin: (618:400/23.10)
  • From August Abolins@618:400/23.10 to TheCivvie on Sun Dec 21 12:47:00 2025
    Hello TheCivvie!

    ** On Friday 19.12.25 - 15:26, TheCivvie wrote to Sean Dennis:

    My new insulin pump (and its accessories) arrived last night. Very
    excited about it. :) Looked it up and the insulin pump is
    USD$14,000...

    Sweet Jes*s, that an amazingly lot of money to pay out. I never understand the US medical system where you have to oay for insulin but here it is
    free to all, poor and rich

    Your country is *much* smaller in terms of population?

    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.64
    * Origin: (618:400/23.10)
  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to August Abolins on Sun Dec 21 13:56:20 2025
    August Abolins wrote to digimaus:

    How's your president's promise of 400%, 800%, 1000% etc..
    discounts going with prescription drugs? :D

    I wouldn't know as I pay $8 for a prescription through the VA and $0 through
    my Medicare Advantage.

    I do know the price of insulin is going down.

    -- digi



    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.6 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From TheCivvie@618:500/1 to digimaus on Sun Dec 21 22:39:56 2025

    Hello digimaus!

    20 Dec 25 17:31, you wrote to me:

    Sweet Jes*s, that an amazingly lot of money to pay out. I never
    understand the US medical system where you have to oay for
    insulin but here it is free to all, poor and rich

    Things are changing here in the US but my insulin I take is patented
    so the cost is very high. Two pens of my U/500 cost around USD$1600
    and that is with insurance. Now I pay $16 a box for two pens through
    the VA.

    However, things are getting cheaper here but still too much. God help
    the diabetic in the US that doesn't have insurance.

    I think insulin cannot be patented as the original developer left it patent free. But if a compnay is patenting it, then that is wrong as it is essential to life

    TheCivvie


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  • From TheCivvie@618:500/1 to August Abolins on Sun Dec 21 22:41:23 2025

    Hello August!

    21 Dec 25 12:47, you wrote to me:

    My new insulin pump (and its accessories) arrived last night.
    Very excited about it. :) Looked it up and the insulin pump is
    USD$14,000...

    Sweet Jes*s, that an amazingly lot of money to pay out. I never
    understand the US medical system where you have to oay for insulin
    but here it is free to all, poor and rich

    Your country is *much* smaller in terms of population?

    Very much so but also a tighter healthcare budget, but also the UK and a lot of Europe has it free.

    TheCivvie


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  • From Sean Dennis@618:618/1 to TheCivvie on Sun Dec 21 23:25:00 2025
    TheCivvie wrote to digimaus:

    I think insulin cannot be patented as the original developer left it
    patent free. But if a compnay is patenting it, then that is wrong as it is essential to life

    Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the body. Various types of insulin can be and are patented. The type I take is an artificial concentrated
    insulin that is patented and is the most expensive insulin in the world (it
    is not commonly used).

    "Eli Lilly makes U-500 insulin, specifically under the brand name Humulin R U-500, which is a highly concentrated form (5 times stronger than regular
    U-100 insulin) used for patients needing very large doses, often available
    in vials or special KwikPens for easier delivery and reduced injection
    volume."

    -- Sean



    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.6 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From TheCivvie@618:500/1 to Sean Dennis on Mon Dec 22 10:41:31 2025

    Hello Sean!

    21 Dec 25 23:25, you wrote to me:

    I think insulin cannot be patented as the original developer left
    it patent free. But if a compnay is patenting it, then that is
    wrong as it is essential to life

    Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the body. Various types of insulin can be and are patented. The type I take is an artificial concentrated insulin that is patented and is the most expensive
    insulin in the world (it is not commonly used).

    "Eli Lilly makes U-500 insulin, specifically under the brand name
    Humulin R U-500, which is a highly concentrated form (5 times stronger than regular U-100 insulin) used for patients needing very large
    doses, often available in vials or special KwikPens for easier
    delivery and reduced injection volume."

    I still think the price is far too excessive and is only to make a high levels of profits.

    TheCivvie


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  • From Arelor@618:250/24 to TheCivvie on Thu Jan 8 11:48:27 2026
    Re: Good news
    By: TheCivvie to digimaus on Sun Dec 21 2025 10:39 pm


    I think insulin cannot be patented as the original developer left it patent free. But if a compnay is patenting it, then that is wrong as it is essential to life

    The US patent system is a bit bonkers.

    I have not looked into the fact, but if I had to speculate, I would say the procedure for producing or collecting insulin is the patented thing they are leveraging.


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  • From Arelor@618:250/24 to TheCivvie on Thu Jan 8 11:55:42 2026
    Re: Good news
    By: TheCivvie to August Abolins on Sun Dec 21 2025 10:41 pm


    Very much so but also a tighter healthcare budget, but also the UK and a lot of Europe has it free

    I have heard a lot of complaints regarding UK healthcare but I'd rather talk about what I know.

    Spain has Paradise-Grade Socialized Healthcare. Meaning you may show up to an appointment for chemmo therapy only to be told to come next week because they have no supplies. Or, my favourite, you get diagnosed with lung cancer and they take four months to perform an extension study, and by the time they do it you are told you have metas everywhere and you are gonna die in a year because you took too long to treat it.

    These are not examples I am pulling out of my ass, I work as tech support for a clinic and I see this stuff constantly.

    Compare that to holding an insurance card and getting a tumor extracted the same day it is discovered.

    Socialized healthcare is good for one thing: to keep poor serfs calm because they believe they are covered.




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  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to Arelor on Thu Jan 8 13:29:14 2026
    Arelor wrote to TheCivvie <=-

    I have not looked into the fact, but if I had to speculate, I would say the procedure for producing or collecting insulin is the patented thing they are leveraging.

    It's also the particular formula. The insulin is a very concentrated form which is five times stronger than standard insulin.

    -- Sean

    ... Confucius say: "It's stuffy inside fortune cookie."
    --- MultiMail/Linux
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to Arelor on Thu Jan 8 13:34:14 2026
    Arelor wrote to TheCivvie <=-

    Socialized healthcare is good for one thing: to keep poor serfs calm because they believe they are covered.

    My sister has a friend who lives in Scotland who lost his mother to cancer because she has to wait so long to be seen for it.

    Even for me, I often have to wait three to four months to be seen for a doctor's appointment using my veteran's benefits. The VA is trying to get better about it but it's still pretty bad. However, I have learned to be squeaky wheel and know how to work the system meaning if I bitch loud enough,
    I will get seen much sooner.

    -- Sean

    ... Nothing is free. Even age. Age is the fee God charges for life.
    --- MultiMail/Linux
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From Tanausu M.@618:500/19.1 to Arelor on Thu Jan 8 19:09:55 2026

    Hello Arelor!

    08 Jan 26 11:55, you wrote to TheCivvie:

    Re: Good news
    By: TheCivvie to August Abolins on Sun Dec 21 2025 10:41 pm


    Very much so but also a tighter healthcare budget, but also the UK
    and a lot of Europe has it free

    I have heard a lot of complaints regarding UK healthcare but I'd
    rather talk about what I know.

    Spain has Paradise-Grade Socialized Healthcare. Meaning you may show
    up to an appointment for chemmo therapy only to be told to come next
    week because they have no supplies. Or, my favourite, you get
    diagnosed with lung cancer and they take four months to perform an extension study, and by the time they do it you are told you have
    metas everywhere and you are gonna die in a year because you took too
    long to treat it.

    These are not examples I am pulling out of my ass, I work as tech
    support for a clinic and I see this stuff constantly.

    Compare that to holding an insurance card and getting a tumor
    extracted the same day it is discovered.

    Socialized healthcare is good for one thing: to keep poor serfs calm because they believe they are covered.


    And then they charge us a fortune in social security. For some things
    it's fine, but for others...

    --- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
    * Origin: Citrick BBS citlmbbs.synchro.net (618:500/19.1)
  • From TheCivvie@618:500/1 to Arelor on Fri Jan 9 11:13:59 2026

    Hello Arelor!

    08 Jan 26 11:48, you wrote to me:

    I think insulin cannot be patented as the original developer left
    it patent free. But if a compnay is patenting it, then that is
    wrong as it is essential to life

    The US patent system is a bit bonkers.

    I have not looked into the fact, but if I had to speculate, I would
    say the procedure for producing or collecting insulin is the patented thing they are leveraging.

    Yeah, I never understood the US medical system anyway. But i any company can make money, then they will

    TheCivvie


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  • From TheCivvie@618:500/1 to Arelor on Fri Jan 9 11:15:14 2026

    Hello Arelor!

    08 Jan 26 11:55, you wrote to me:

    Very much so but also a tighter healthcare budget, but also the UK
    and a lot of Europe has it free

    I have heard a lot of complaints regarding UK healthcare but I'd
    rather talk about what I know.

    You only ever hear complaints because those who have good things to say, never say them

    Spain has Paradise-Grade Socialized Healthcare. Meaning you may show
    up to an appointment for chemmo therapy only to be told to come next
    week because they have no supplies. Or, my favourite, you get
    diagnosed with lung cancer and they take four months to perform an extension study, and by the time they do it you are told you have
    metas everywhere and you are gonna die in a year because you took too
    long to treat it.

    These are not examples I am pulling out of my ass, I work as tech
    support for a clinic and I see this stuff constantly.

    Compare that to holding an insurance card and getting a tumor
    extracted the same day it is discovered.

    Socialized healthcare is good for one thing: to keep poor serfs calm because they believe they are covered.

    We have social healtcare here and no, it is not too keep poor serfs calm. It keeps rich and poor happy. If you have a serious health condition you can get seen very quickly. Yes there are issues, sometimes the system is over worked and a lot of times it is, but everyone is treated the same.



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    (618:250/24)

    TheCivvie


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  • From Rob Mccart@618:250/1 to DIGIMAUS on Sat Jan 10 08:02:23 2026
    Socialized healthcare is good for one thing: to keep poor serfs calm because they believe they are covered.

    My sister has a friend who lives in Scotland who lost his mother to cancer
    >because she has to wait so long to be seen for it.

    Even for me, I often have to wait three to four months to be seen for a
    >doctor's appointment using my veteran's benefits. The VA is trying to get
    >better about it but it's still pretty bad. However, I have learned to be
    >squeaky wheel and know how to work the system meaning if I bitch loud enough,
    >I will get seen much sooner.

    I am not going to say that Gov't healthcare is perfect, and as costs
    go up due to an aging population it's getting worse - not helped at
    all by those who refuse vaccines so that currently many hospitals
    are housing more than double the number of patients they are built
    to accomodate simply due to the Flu..

    But.. In Canada it is generally not too bad. 3 people in my immediate
    family got various cancers and were treated quickly and recovered and
    other relatives with ongoing problems get what they need in a timely
    fashion and most prescription drugs are also covered for seniors and
    lower income people.

    I might have to wait a week to see my doctor so I could end up having
    to go to the Hospital Emergency Room if I need to see someone quickly.

    Emergency waiting times are getting worse all the time but there's
    a finite amount that we can spend on healthcare. Currently it
    costs about $5,500 nationally per person each year.

    Working people pay a 'premium' for coverage but it's pretty low,
    starting at about $5 a month for those making $20,000 a year
    and topping out at $75 a month for those making over $200,600.00.

    As I said, not perfect but an ER visit for someone not covered
    by that will pay easily $400+ for a simple in and out visit.

    I believe those figures are current but I haven't had to pay
    anything most of my life since I was lower income or retired
    and things have changed a bit over the years.

    ---
    * SLMR Rob * Why is "Abbreviation" such a long word ???
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (618:250/1)
  • From Sean Dennis@618:618/1 to Rob Mccart on Sat Jan 10 22:07:21 2026
    Rob Mccart wrote to DIGIMAUS <=-

    I am not going to say that Gov't healthcare is perfect, and as costs
    go up due to an aging population it's getting worse - not helped at
    all by those who refuse vaccines so that currently many hospitals
    are housing more than double the number of patients they are built
    to accomodate simply due to the Flu..

    I can't take the flu shot as my systenm can't handle it very well but I am not exposed to the direct public a lot except at the VA hospital (how I caugfht COVID the first time in 2020).

    But.. In Canada it is generally not too bad. 3 people in my immediate family got various cancers and were treated quickly and recovered and other relatives with ongoing problems get what they need in a timely fashion and most prescription drugs are also covered for seniors and
    lower income people.

    Like our Medicaid and Medicare here in the States. I have medicare as that is required by law since I get Social Security disability pay. I still have to pay $184 a month except due to my severity of disabiities, Social Security has the state of Tennessee paying my bill (it's really complicated).

    Emergency waiting times are getting worse all the time but there's
    a finite amount that we can spend on healthcare. Currently it
    costs about $5,500 nationally per person each year.

    It is a federal law in the US that no one can be refused care at an enmergency room but guess who picks up the tab?

    As I said, not perfect but an ER visit for someone not covered
    by that will pay easily $400+ for a simple in and out visit.

    When my stepdad was hit by a drunk driver in 2003, he ran up a $1,500,000 bill and his health insurance provided tried to come after him for the cost yet a month later, the entire amount was forgiven and we still don't know how that happened.

    -- Sean

    ... "La Quinta": Spanish for "Next to Denny's."
    --- MultiMail/Linux
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From August Abolins@618:400/23.10 to Sean Dennis on Sun Jan 11 12:31:00 2026
    Hello Sean!

    ** On Saturday 10.01.26 - 22:07, Sean Dennis wrote to Rob Mccart:

    When my stepdad was hit by a drunk driver in 2003, he ran
    up a $1,500,000 bill and his health insurance provided
    tried to come after him for the cost yet a month later,
    the entire amount was forgiven and we still don't know how
    that happened.

    [1] Hospital bill are probably overly inflated.
    [2] Insurance companies are rich.

    They most likely worked out something like a 10cents on the
    dollar kind of settlement.

    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.64
    * Origin: (618:400/23.10)
  • From Rob Mccart@618:250/1 to SEAN DENNIS on Mon Jan 12 08:19:16 2026
    I am not going to say that Gov't healthcare is perfect, and as costs
    go up due to an aging population it's getting worse - not helped at
    all by those who refuse vaccines so that currently many hospitals
    are housing more than double the number of patients they are built
    to accomodate simply due to the Flu..

    I can't take the flu shot as my systenm can't handle it very well but I am no
    >exposed to the direct public a lot except at the VA hospital (how I caugfht
    >COVID the first time in 2020).

    I am pretty much alone where I am all winter long, and most of the
    rest of the year too, although I get relatives in for a few days at
    a time several times through the summer. But my contact with the
    public is very limited as well. I only see other people one day
    every 2 weeks when I do my shopping and plan any other appointments.

    It is a federal law in the US that no one can be refused care at
    >an enmergency room but guess who picks up the tab?

    Well, common or not, we do keep hearing about people in the USA
    who show up in the wrong hospital (non-state/public) and are
    'treated', and then sent off.. and die in the parking lot.

    When my stepdad was hit by a drunk driver in 2003, he ran up a $1,500,000 bil
    >and his health insurance provided tried to come after him for the cost yet a
    >month later, the entire amount was forgiven and we still don't know how that
    >happened.

    Wow.. I suppose they must have found out they didn't have a case
    to go after him after all. I've heard that many insurance companies
    have a standard policy to refuse all claims when they come in, often
    up to the first 3 times, and then finally pay them if the customer
    persists, even if they were definitely entitled to coverage right
    from the start.. Apparently enough people walk away from it that
    they come out way ahead doing this.

    Likely gov't insurance is a little more reliable since they have
    no share holders to keep happy, just tax payers, who are never
    happy.. B)

    ---
    * SLMR Rob * Look out for #1... And don't step in #2
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (618:250/1)
  • From Sean Dennis@618:618/1 to All on Tue Jan 20 19:17:03 2026
    Hi everyone,

    Some good news: there is a good possibility that I may be getting a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. I won't know until this time next month if I'll get it but there's a very good chance I will.

    That vehicle is rated to carry my mobility scooter so that's a very good
    thing.

    It's going to put a big strain on my budget but I have to have a car. I may even be able to get a part-time job too (which would help a lot!).

    Looks like 2026 will be a good year for me so far.

    Oh, I'll make damn sure to have the right insurance that if it catches fire, I'll be able to get another car. I learned my lesson...

    -- Sean

    ... Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.
    --- MultiMail/Linux
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From Khronos@618:250/48 to Sean Dennis on Tue Jan 20 21:40:13 2026
    Sean Dennis wrote to All <=-

    Hi everyone,

    Some good news: there is a good possibility that I may be getting a
    2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. I won't know until this time
    next month if I'll get it but there's a very good chance I will.

    A new set of wheels is always good!

    It's going to put a big strain on my budget but I have to have a car.
    I don't drive, but I can understand how that is.
    When you have special needs an uber or lift isn't always going to work.

    Looks like 2026 will be a good year for me so far.
    Really nice!! From what I know things have really been tough for you
    for a while.

    === MultiMail/Linux v0.52
    --- SBBSecho 3.34-Linux
    * Origin: telnet://cwshack.ddns.net:2330 (618:250/48)
  • From Mike Powell@618:250/1 to SEAN DENNIS on Wed Jan 21 09:54:43 2026
    Some good news: there is a good possibility that I may be getting a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. I won't know until this time next month if
    I'll get it but there's a very good chance I will.

    My aunt and uncle had one of those, maybe slightly older. It lasted them
    until they stopped driving ~8 years ago.

    Mike

    * SLMR 2.1a * Only those who attempt the absurd achieve the impossible.
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (618:250/1)
  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to Khronos on Wed Jan 21 12:51:29 2026
    Khronos wrote to Sean Dennis <=-


    A new set of wheels is always good!

    They'll help ease a lot of stress in many ways and help ease the strained relationship I have at times with my parents.

    Really nice!! From what I know things have really been tough for you
    for a while.

    Starting in 2019, my health took a huge nosedive but I am doing better now.
    My new insulin pump is making a huge difference in my life...

    -- Sean

    ... I got a new pen that can write under water. It can write other words too. --- MultiMail/Linux
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to Mike Powell on Wed Jan 21 12:53:40 2026
    Mike Powell wrote to SEAN DENNIS <=-

    My aunt and uncle had one of those, maybe slightly older. It lasted
    them until they stopped driving ~8 years ago.

    It will be great for me and it'll be nice when I have to take my parents or my sister and her boyfriend somewhere. Thankfully, my sight is still decent enough for me to drive at night which the rest of my family has issues doing anymore due to eyesight issues.

    -- Sean

    ... I'm not afraid of heights. I'm afraid of widths.
    --- MultiMail/Linux
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)
  • From Khronos@618:250/48 to digimaus on Wed Jan 21 14:29:47 2026
    digimaus wrote to Khronos <=-

    Khronos wrote to Sean Dennis <=-


    They'll help ease a lot of stress in many ways and help ease the
    strained relationship I have at times with my parents.

    I know what it is like being in a position where you have to ask others
    for help with things like transportation.
    Being blind there have been times in my life where I felt I was a burden
    on others because I could not drive.
    I have largely gotten over that now though.


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  • From Zip@618:500/27 to Sean Dennis on Wed Jan 21 20:39:59 2026
    Hello Sean!

    On 20 Jan 2026, Sean Dennis said the following...

    Some good news: there is a good possibility that I may be getting a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. I won't know until this time next month if I'll get it but there's a very good chance I will.

    Sounds great! Fingers crossed, and hoping 2026 will continue to be a good year for you!

    Myself, I've been hunting possible causes for a returning (on Christmas Eve, of course!) fault code on my now 23-year-old Volvo V70. Happens only sometimes, during highway driving, on flat road and at steady throttle, so really unexpected.

    As it is kind of related to emissions, it triggers the check engine light, so you don't want it to appear during an inspection (although that light usually goes out after a couple of more driving cycles).

    The car runs fine otherwise, doesn't burn any oil, has no excessive fuel consumption, the lambda value is just fine, and you can't tell that there is anything wrong except for that check engine light.

    Checked for vacuum leaks, replaced the mass airflow sensor, the air filter, cleaned the air filter box, replaced the manifold absolute pressure sensor, a vacuum switch (between the intake manifold, a vacuum pump and the brake booster), a couple of vacuum hoses and hose clamps, and cleaned the throttle
    with meths. Also checked a bunch of OBD2/EOBD values before and after, nothing strange there really, neither before or after.

    Right now I'm hoping the MAF sensor and/or the throttle cleaning will
    have done the trick, as the old sensor was at least pretty dusty, the engine side of the trottle had some carbon build-up after approx. 29100 km (181,000 mi) -- although nothing excessive by any means! -- and the throttles on these cars are known to be a bit on the sensitive side, both when it comes to carbon build-up and throttle position sensors.

    Combine that with some (probably) unnecessarily complicated calculations involving a bunch of sensors and their values, all for the sake of low emissions, and you're in for a surprise when you least expect it... :-D

    As I don't drive very much these days (trying to walk to/from work as much as possible, including shopping), it might take a year or so to know if it
    helped. Or until the next inspection, if I'm unlucky. We'll see... :-D

    Best regards
    Zip

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  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to Khronos on Wed Jan 21 21:31:11 2026
    Khronos wrote to digimaus <=-

    I know what it is like being in a position where you have to ask others for help with things like transportation.
    Being blind there have been times in my life where I felt I was a
    burden on others because I could not drive.
    I have largely gotten over that now though.

    Tonight I had to take my scooter home from the VA because everyone ran late
    and I was not able to take the paratransit bus home. About froze to death but I got home safely.

    -- digi <8D~

    ... There's no athiests in foxholes.
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  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to Zip on Wed Jan 21 21:32:00 2026
    Zip wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

    As I don't drive very much these days (trying to walk to/from work as
    much as possible, including shopping), it might take a year or so to
    know if it helped. Or until the next inspection, if I'm unlucky. We'll see... :-D

    Have you replaced your gas cap? I had a problem with emissions on one of my former vehicles and it turns out the gas cap just needed to be replaced.

    My buddy has a Volvo statio wagon from the 80s: 5 speed, turbocharged...he calls it the "flying brick". I think he's had the car since 1991 or 1992 and it's rock-solid.

    He also has a SAAB which cannot be killed and drives in any type of weather reliably.

    Re: 181,000 miles: that's just getting broken in for a Volvo, isn't it? <G>

    -- Sean

    ... I made a killing on Wall Street. A few years ago, I shot my broker.
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  • From Zip@618:500/27 to digimaus on Thu Jan 22 20:10:13 2026
    Hello Sean!

    On 21 Jan 2026, digimaus said the following...

    Have you replaced your gas cap? I had a problem with emissions on one
    of my former vehicles and it turns out the gas cap just needed to be replaced.

    Thanks, yep, as a matter of I fact I did a couple of years ago -- the retaining strap had broken and the seal was cracked, so it was time for a new one... :)

    My buddy has a Volvo statio wagon from the 80s: 5 speed,
    turbocharged...he calls it the "flying brick". I think he's had the car since 1991 or 1992 and it's rock-solid.

    Yes, those were the "real" Volvos before they decided round off the corners... Very nice and reliable cars with lots of space!

    He also has a SAAB which cannot be killed and drives in any type of weather reliably.

    Actually, my father had a 1988 Saab 900 sedan which he drove for approx. 60000 km (370,000 mi). It had its quirks, and the 900 model was technically very dated (I believe it was first released in 1980 or something like that), but it was very reliable.

    He switched it for a Volvo V70 station wagon, the first-gen, more boxy ones -- this one was from 2000 -- back in 2007. And that Volvo still runs just fine to this day.

    Re: 181,000 miles: that's just getting broken in for a Volvo, isn't it?


    :-D

    I would say it's about halfway. The engines -- and gearboxes (Japanese!) -- on these cars are usually very reliable. Thankfully. :)

    Best regards
    Zip

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  • From digimaus@618:618/1 to Zip on Thu Jan 22 16:35:15 2026
    Zip wrote to digimaus <=-

    I would say it's about halfway. The engines -- and gearboxes
    (Japanese!) -- on these cars are usually very reliable. Thankfully. :)

    I had to help rewire a Saab...never again. LOL

    I still wish I had my 1969 VW Bug...one of the best cars I ever owned.
    Besides being frigid in the winter until the engine got hot, it was a great
    car and very easy to work on.

    Though if I could get my hands on an older Volvo or Saab that's a stickshift, I'd be happy beyond measure.

    -- digi <8D~

    ... I hate it when I wish upon a star only to realize it was just an airplane. --- MultiMail/Linux
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  • From August Abolins@618:400/23.10 to Zip on Thu Jan 22 17:53:00 2026
    Hello Zip!

    Actually, my father had a 1988 Saab 900 sedan which he drove for approx. 60000 km (370,000 mi). It had its quirks, and the 900 model was

    Your conversion math is off by a little bit! :D

    --
    ../|ug

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