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Sorry for the delay in posting-HIV Journey Update
#199503 - 07/10/06 10:43 PM
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Hello my friends,
It’s been a while since I last posted and promised you I would provide any updates as they come along. Well here they are....Since the last post, I am knee deep in the whole acceptance phase. My attitude has changed for the better and I am believe it or not feeling better both physically and mentally.
I saw my HIV Specialist (GREAT GUY!). We talked extensively about a whole range of things and he confirmed what you had said all along or what I read before that this isn’t necessarily a death sentence. I had another round of blood work drawn a couple of weeks ago and it turns out in the results that my CD4 count is at 500 and my other count is at 3000. He said I do not need meds at this time and that my other overall lab results were also good. I got some preventative shots today just as a formality—Tetanus and another one for Pneumonia . He wants to see me back in a couple months for the routine follow ups including more blood draws and additional preventative shots. The session we had was more of a heart to heart chat about the HIV experience and the expecations. He also encouraged me on all levels and told me to continue to live my life. It was really refreshing to hear that and in a strange way it lifted a heavy weight from my shoulders. I went into this doctors appointment expecting the worse. As a tiny amusement to all this, my next appointment is on 9/11 (is that an omen or what---nah seriously, I am anticipating everything will turn out fine).
I appreciate your continued support and thoughtful words. For those of you newly diagnosed to all this, please try to remain focused and understand that support is out there. This is a difficult time; I am still having the ups and downs, but overall please learn that having a healthy attitude and mental state is just as important as getting and staying healthy physically.
I promise to keep in touch more on this journey of mines. Take care friends.
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Survivor
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Legend
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Reged: 10/30/05
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Posts: 3256
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Loc: Get off the fence and live again!
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You sound great! Your numbers are good and you are a ways away from that "next step". That gives you some time which is quite nice just to work on the acceptance thingy. Trust me, we all have our moments no matter at what stage of the hiv game we are at. The mental aspect of this (for me) is my biggest challenge. Keep talking and never close down your lines of communications. I found from time to time I just say FUCK IT in a few of my posts. I know thats the DEVIL talking lol and I am a fighter. You are a fighter and have a good spirit, you will do well Gogreen.
Love
Eric - "RatBoy"
ps I have had three (3) appointments on the 13th!!! I said FUCK THAT and moved it up to the 14th on the next one!!! lol
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Unless your CD4 percentage is low your immune system is normal and your VL is low so it won't be dragging your CD4 cells down for a long time...So why all these preventive shots? Preventing what? Other than routine flu, (it's not flu season) tetanus or Hep B vaccine that anyone would need ?
Don't forget you are in charge of your health..make sure you ask LOTS of questions and get explanations for everything they want to do your body.
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Maybe hepatitis vaccines? (just a guess)
Post Extras:
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Survivor
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Legend
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Reged: 10/30/05
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Posts: 3256
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Loc: Get off the fence and live again!
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HIV Doc's are giving the Pneumonia shots, flu shots regardless of the time of the season with a threshold of 500 and below... Hep screans, then shots next prior to HIV meds...
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