October 21
Updates from the Clinic
Yesterday I made my monthly visit up to the HIV clinic.
Results
The results from the blood taken at the previous appointment were:
CD4 count 150 – 10%
Viral Load 9,600 Continue reading “October 21”
Category: HIV
September 12 – coping or not
It’s Saturday afternoon. Away with the local support centre. It’s a great weekend. But I’m realising how I’ve not accepted nor am I coping with my diagnosis. I walked out of a discussion group. My outlook on life has always been too different. This weekend is just proving it. I want to run away. Just to leVe here and hide. I like the weather. Even lying in the sun. But I don’t want to talk about HIV. Continue reading September 12 – coping or not
August 18 – good news
Back at the clinic this morning. Good news again CD4 =140 Viral Load = undetectable So despite all my problems with adherence the drugs appear to be working. Continue reading August 18 – good news
August 8
The People Living with HIV Stigma Index Today, I completed the Questionnaire for The People Living with HIV Stigma Index at the local HIV Support Centre. The questionnaire asked lots of probing questions but hopefully it will help provide statistical evidence to improve policies, and ensure that these are grounded in the realities of people living with HIV. Continue reading August 8
July 29
One new positive friend… It’s a funny world. In one week I have discovered more friends that are positive. But also heard bad news about one friend. Finding out that friends I’ve had for months are in fact positive and have been for as long as I have known them is an interesting experience. On a certain dating site I have a profile that makes it clear that I am HIV positive. I used to have a profile that didn’t, and it was through that profile I met the friend that told me he was positive last night. He asked … Continue reading July 29
July 21
Good news finally today. I was up at the HIV Clinic once more today and found out that there was really good news. My Viral Load count has come down. In fact it is now so low that it is undetectable. In the words of another friend who also got this result a couple of weeks ago. ” I may have to celebrate. “ Although this is good news, this doesn’t totally stop the feelings of depression and lack of motivation that are still floating around in my head. More good news is that I am becoming better at taking … Continue reading July 21
July 15 – St Swithun's Day
St Swithun’s day if thou dost rain For forty days it will remain St Swithun’s day if thou be fair For forty days ’twill rain na mair Raining in Belfast And so as normal, on July 15, it is raining. Let’s hope that the traditional rhyme doesn’t apply in this ecclesiastical Province of Armagh but only in that of Canterbury. Or maybe it only applies in the diocese of Winchester where St Swithun lived, worked, and was buried. Long time.. no post It has indeed been quite a while since last I posted to this blog. This has been because … Continue reading July 15 – St Swithun's Day
June 23
St Etheldreda’s Day Today is St Etheldreda’s Day. The day that the Church remembers a holy Abbess in Ely, Cambridgeshire. It is the day I remember a friend of mine called Etheldreda. And remember that I have forgotten to send a card to her – I’ll have to do that later this afternoon. Hospital Clinic Last month when I was given the date for today’s appointment I mentioned that it was St Etheldreda’s day and the doctor looked at me a bit funny. I’m rather good with dates – name a day and I’ll probably be able to know what … Continue reading June 23
Day 70
It doesn’t seem possible that it is ten weeks tomorrow since I was diagnosed. On occasions it feels like it was just yesterday, yet on others it feels like I have been living with this for years. Of course, it may well be that I have been living with being HIV+ for years — but without actually knowing so. Today I volunteered with a local HIV centre as they were out on the streets trying to get funds for their much-needed work. What disheartened me was the way that some people walked past and said loudly “HIV – oh they … Continue reading Day 70
Day 69 – no jokes please
It’s day 69, and life is good. The weather here is excellent – the sun is in the sky, there is a bit of a breeze, and life is good. Although I had a long day yesterday, with work, counselling session, two meetings, and further work when I got home, I do still feel like I have turned a corner in coping with this disease. At the weekend, I was chatting online to several friends and found out that even more of my friends are actually HIV-positive. This has started to help me know that “I am not alone”. And … Continue reading Day 69 – no jokes please
Gyronny Herald 