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Thanks to all of you who commented on my first blog post, and thanks to POZ for providing me with this forum. Yes, life is different as a pozie (not sure how that should be spelled) but glad to hear that you are all doing well.
The shock of learning of one's HIV+ health status is not easy—for educated, mature, upwardly mobile people, as well as not-so-mature, not-so-well-educated, & generally uninformed people of all ages, creeds, economic status levels, ethnic and racial backgrounds, genders, orientations, & religions. Walls built around HIV+ persons, since 1981, have been reinforced by fortified moats of stigma & apathy. Mrs. Jarrett, I'm glad POZ invited you to share your different, yet, similar experiences!
Wow. I'm not sure what to say. But I feel your struggle. I'm 49 have been positive for 5 years. I was misdiagnosed twice. Came back negative though I was positive. Ran the blood test cause I had insurance and was sure I was negative I did it as sort of a joke. No joke! I will be 50 in November and my family does not know. Thinking of telling them. But I had a sister die from leukemia when I was 8 and feel they will just see death. It still scares me. Thank you for your little article. Patrick
Oh wow what a shock but love your attitude! Please consider joining our global group that's helps unite those living with and affected by HIV AIDS. It's a place for newly diagnosed or old timers aka long term survivors of which I am one at 30 years positive. Would love to hear more about you and we can certainly be a resource for you aging with HIV https://www.facebook.com/groups/mariahiv/
I tested positive over 30 years ago when there was no treatment. It was a death sentence. Today it’s totally different. Different also from any other illness because the overwhelming side effect of this disease is the stigma and discrimination that comes with it. I can understand how some fall by the wayside but it has been the making of me.
I tested POZ a month after my 62 birthday and the everyone acted as if that would be some sort of record, but of course it wasn't. It happens. I'm lucky, apparently caught it early, (initial viral load was 1160 - no I didn't forget a zero on that number) was undedectable in 2 weeks, and CD4 of 960 at time of diagnosis was soon back up in the 1400-1600 range. All this to say we can do well, even when diagnoses late in life.
My concern with the health care workers I work with. People do not disclose. Which is hard for us when it comes time to find the source. Keep up the good work Martha I'm now 70+ now living a good life
jtownes93
Wow. I am not positive but I am so happy to hear your story and how you are still conquering HIV to this day. I work with HIV patients and this really just gave me a renewed hope for some of my older clients. I am going to use you as an inspirational story to others, if you dont mind. Keep living optimistically and I hope you continually remain in great health!
October 16, 2017