Welcome! This blog sprung from my primary blog, which was started in 2007 when I was a pioneer in the treatment of opioid use disorder using buprenorphine, a.k.a. Suboxone. I continue to write there, but a life-threatening experience in the summer of 2022 prompted me to write about other topics. That led to confusion over what to expect in those pages, at Suboxone Talk. Here, I will write about growing up in a golden era and living past 60.

The first posts here were transferred from the home page of my psychiatric practice. First will be a description of the illness, CTEPH, that almost killed me. I will describe the progression of symptoms and the eventual diagnosis, which was made almost entirely through good luck. Content will then shift to the posts I wrote in real time while I awaited surgery and during my recovery. I was experiencing confusion and mild psychosis for a few days, and found later that I was confused about days and dates. I left those posts as they were.

My hope, after listing that content, is to write a memoir of my experiences growing up in Wisconsin in the 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s, including highs and lows along the way. I’ll certainly write about other things as I have a strong interest in science, biology, macro economics, and other topics. I take issue with many assumptions of the modern era, but I am an obsessive reader and researcher. If you think I’m spewing disinformation please comment, but do your research first or prepare to be called out.

Writing here is for my own benefit, as it helps me to remember the past and understand who I am now. I enjoy listening to music from a time of my life, focusing for hours or overnight to put myself back in that time and place, and recording the memories of my experiences. Believe it or not, the world has changed over the past 60 years. I am not a professional writer, but I hope to get better as I write more. If nothing else, I hope to leave a piece of history for my children.

Blog

A Short Intermission

In this blog’s early days in about 2008, I posted almost daily. I was prescribing buprenorphine more and more, and so impressed by the medication’s actions that I had much to share. Some readers liked Read more…

Surgery is Happening

8.23.22: I guess this is happening… Just got the call from admissions that they will be ready at 4 PM, an hour from now. Some planning ahead… my goal, if things go well, is to Read more…

Killing Time

8.20.22: Watched ‘Fall’ at a matinee this afternoon: https://youtu.be/aa5MXOMN1lM Took a couple pictures in case you don’t want to watch the trailer: Probably broke a dozen California laws posting those pictures so I hope you Read more…

A Few Weeks in La Jolla

8:19.22: Going to go out today. The ‘team’ meets today (without me) to review all of the data and prepare for surgery. I’m amazed at how many people are involved, all to care for one Read more…

Returning from San Diego

8.29 .22: great day. started a little slow with a fall this morning… but the physical and occupational therapy worked with me. eventually got my mojo back… a nurse said she would come in to Read more…

Leaving

8.14.22: Staying over in Chicago to fly out early tomorrow morning. Staying in the ‘La Jolla House’ when we get out there — a place for long-term patients and their families. Believe it or not, Read more…

Absence From My Practice

Below are posts beginning a week after my diagnosis with CTEPH. 7.31.2022: Still waiting to hear on whether I’m a candidate for surgery. I will call the program tomorrow and hopefully get some guidance on Read more…

On Getting Sick Two Ways

In The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway’s character Mike described becoming bankrupt in two ways – gradually and then suddenly.  That line is validated in finance, healthcare, social sciences, and technology.   Earlier posts in this blog, Read more…