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I really wish I had something positive to say about this. My immune system was so compromised, I contracted another incurable condition. After my week long coma, I awoke paralyzed. An uncommon form of tuberculosis called MAC, infected my spine. As a result, the myelin sheathing protecting my spinal nerve channels was stripped away. My whole life was taken from me. I'm in financial ruin. I won't ever find a romantic relationship and even if I did, I can't have sex. Nothing positive for me to say.
Besides the journey many of us know...seeing more in ourselves than we imagined existed....there is what this has done for my kids. They grew up from toddlers in a world full of people from all walks of life, they learned how to fight back when life forces a battle, they learned compassion and action, and they learned to love life, experience it, revel in it, treasure it, build it, overcome it, accept it and never neglect it. I don't live with AIDS, it lives with me.
Not for the best ...at 60 years old I have had a really outgoing and good life by most standards. At 50 I learned I was Positive...since the I had dealt with more islolation, rejections and basically living with a big secret. I have been single for most of those 10 years and actually think that I will most likely never have another loving and intimate relationship. I like myself so I guess that it will be me and the pets...i do hope they find a cure..it would make life better
I found these positive / upside stories as uplifting as the negative / downside ones were depressing. The positive ones uplifted me. The negative ones depressed me.
Thank you, POZ, for allowing me to share my story of not only being a long-term survivor (I became infected in 1981, but remained undiagnosed until January, 1992, when I received an AIDS Diagnosis), but also the laughter and love-filled journey I shared with my amazing stepson, Beau, who passed away 11/24/2006, at the age of 24. EvanX, you might consider reading my article, “Divine Intervention,” as I consider us both Long Term Survivors.
EvanX: This article, which spotlights the positive impacts of living with HIV, does contain testimony from long-term survivors. Please refer to the article "Living With the Downsides" for comments about the negative impacts of living with the virus.
This post is part of an ongoing series of the good, the bad and the ugly of living with HIV. So did your diagnosis lead to a growth in self empowerment? Did you experience stigma related to your status? The editors of POZ want to hear and share your stories. Please email your experiences to news@poz.com with the subject line "How HIV Changed My Life" for consideration.
Torrissen
This is an epidemic that's eating everyone up.one's you contacted it everyone will isolate you and keep you at a distance.it a terrible world we're living in.
December 5, 2019