i have been positive since 1989... - TheBody.com's Bulletin Boards

I've been positive since 1989 and refused to participate in any
therapies until 2 years ago. I began Crixie-AZT-3TC therapy and
would like to share my results.

Well, to sum it up, my T4s went from 7 to 300, and my viral load
from 400,000 to undetectable. At first, I had a horrible aluminum
aftertaste (and still get it, but I'm, er, "immune" to it now).
Then I got hungry and started eating breakfast every day.
Finally, after joining a gym, I went from a scrawny 135 pounds to
an impressive 172 pounds of muscle. The combination of daily
exercise on the Stair Mistress and a militant regimen to wake up
and swallow my happy pills has made me a much better person, both
spiritually and physically.

I used to complain and whine about gay rights and AIDS being the
most destructive disease. For some, yes, but I, like many other
gay males, had to blow it into dramatic proportions... until I
met Brian, a 17 year old with Leukemia.

I worked with an Infusion Therapy agency in Atlanta and saw first
hand how drastic diseases can inflict people. It was sobering, as
I had only experienced one episode of pneumocystis. After seeing
Brian, I realised:

I could still have safe sex, I could still drive a car, I could
still hike the mountains, I could still dance and I could still
have hope.

Brian told me he was a virgin, and his left leg had been
amputated at the knee. He was a football player and went down to
78 pounds just before his departure. He couldn't drive, couldn't
hike, couldn't skateboard or any of the things I enjoyed.

I felt like a moron, but viewed it as a Rite of Passage into
higher awareness of self and others.

To those who have not had my luck with combatting HIV, I offer my
prayers and encouragement to hold your head high and forge
onward. I know that I am lucky to have such an easy path to
remission, but don't think for a minute I have forgotten what
this disease can do.

Post Extras: Remind Me!