And so once again I am not well. The persistent cough and cold has not gone away. Despite the use of decongestant and chest rub, I am told by Andrew that it is getting worse. Therefore we are off up to the RVH again this afternoon. Will report back when we know more. The best update is that the Meds have been taken every day. So that is good news. Continue reading when you’re ill, take it easy
As we begin a new year, many think about the things that they can decide to do in the new year. For me some of these have already been decided. Some are very private, others are much more public.
Two of mine are ones that I want to tell you about. Continue reading “meditation: meds and myself…”
Last night, my friend Conor and his flatmate invited Michael and me to their New Year’s Eve party, in their flat in the Titanic Quarter. There were probably about ten people there, and we spent the evening playing with the Xbox, listening to music, and generally being social. There was also some alcohol consumption, but as a non-drinker I’m going to draw a veil over that. At midnight, we watched Big Ben* on the BBC, and yes Michael and I kissed. It was a completely normal New Year’s Eve party for all of us. Re-read that last sentence: it was … Continue reading all so wonderfully normal (part 2)
My name is Andrew, and I am living with HIV. You might think that I am HIV positive – I am not. I am living with HIV because my boyfriend*, Michael, the man I love, is HIV positive. I am living with HIV because HIV has a direct impact on my life. I am also, to some extent, living with PVL-MRSA, because Michael has that too. Today Michael had an appointment at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, and his doctor took the opportunity to screen me for MRSA, because there was a chance that I was an asymptomatic carrier. It … Continue reading my name is Andrew
This morning Andrew and I toddled up to Belfast‘s Royal Victoria Hospital once more, after last night’s abscess burst, and sat around whilst the normal business of the CUM glinic went on about us. Eventually, Dr Killian Quinn, called for me – and off I went. He didn’t take any swabs from the abscess which I had thought was the principal reason for attending the clinic. That is to ensure that it was just (the now normal) PVL-MRSA. However he did prescribe the usual special wash and Bactroban nasal spray – for the next five days. What fun! And of … Continue reading another day, the RVH again
Well it is another day, and another visit to the hospital is over. But having been sent home from A&E in the RVH with some Linezolid, whilst watching Juliet Bravo, at some point the abscess on my cheek burst – so in the morning, it’s off up to the GUM clinic to make sure that it is just PVL-MRSA that we think it is. A fun Christmas holiday…. Continue reading another day, another visit to the hospital…
I don’t know what I have done in the past to deserve the love that is being shown to and freely given to me at the moment. I’m not feeling well at the moment – think I’m going to have to head up to the Accident & Emergency Department of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast this evening. I’d really rather leave it until I could head to see my consultant in the GUM clinic. I’m not sure that we can leave it that long. Life is not easy. And no one said it would be. It has certainly been … Continue reading Posting may be light…
I am HIV positive.
Just saying that brief sentence or its alternative
I am living with HIV.
gives people the opportunity to do and say the most remarkable things. Continue reading “each time you tell, you’ve no idea what you risk unleashing”
I’m writing because when you are first diagnosed as living with HIV, many people think that life is over; that there is no future. When I was first diagnosed I was one of those. So many people told me that HIV is not a death sentence Life is for living You must remain positive. And I tried to believe them – it is not always easy. But I can tell you that if you hang in there, life will bring new surprises, new friends, and new joys. It is not possible to look into the future and to know what … Continue reading The best is yet to come…. hang in there
Amidst the stories surrounding the founder of WikLeaks, Julian Assange, today’s Mail on Sunday, the headline appears
Accusers went to police after he refused AIDS test
It has to be said that the text of the story refers to an HIV test – but the headlines that which grabs the readers’ attention is using incorrect language. Moreover, it is offensive to the many people throughout the world living with HIV – and as has been said before, I am one of them.
By sensationalising the story, the Editor of the Mail on Sunday breaches the the Guidelines for reporting HIV published by NAT, Continue reading “Mail on Sunday continues to show prejudice: why am I surprised?”
Gyronny Herald 