Continuing Education While Positive

[219pm]

Hey everyone, I'm a bit defeated at the moment. If you didn't know I was diagnosed with HIV a week before classes. I finally caught up my school work for the most part. I'm still behind in one class. I tried to contact the school for medical withdraw where they informed I would have to dropped all of my classes not just one. I'm just reaching out here for support. I get my meds through Ryan White so that's my motivation right now. I know that all he wanted was to go back to school, so therefore I must stay. If you have any advice or kind words please share.

[Denvaux]

When I tested positive back in 2006 I was convinced my life was over, that I'd never be able to continue work and all would be down hill thereafter.  It took a very long time and many wasted years of brooding, procrastinating, along with various forms of escapism, before I realised that HIV and my relationship with it was dictating my life.
Diagnosis is hard for most people but what you find out later on is that living with HIV, provided you have the right mindset is relatively easy- normal infact. 
Don' t take as long as I did to realise this fact;  HIV or not, you can be a good worker, a good student indeed a good whatever you choose. Stay with your studies and find time for contemplation on the HIV issue between study times; you'll be a long time living with it!

[leatherman]

heck yea, you need to stay in classes! Your counts aren't bad at all and you're on meds now. You need to stay in school, so you can get a good paying job. You're going to want that money when you're in your 80s and retired.

[GSOgymrat]

I'm not going to advise you what to do because everyone's situation is different. I will share that when I was diagnosed in 1993 I was in my third quarter of graduate school. The prognosis back then was very different than today and I was told by my doctor that living five years was "unrealistic." I went to group and individual therapy and was able to stay in school full-time while working part-time. One reason I was able to do it was because I loved school and at that time there was nothing I would rather be doing. I also tried to take care of myself and I'm fortunate not to be prone to depression. As I said, everyone's situation is different, but as far as completing school while HIV+, it can be done.

[wolfter]

I am another that completed my education during dire times.  It can be done.  I would check with your acadmic advisor as that seems like wrong information regarding having to completely withdraw.  If need be, consider speaking with the dean of the department you're studying.

They have a vested interest in seeing their students achieve success and will usually accomodate under special circumstances.

best of luck

[Joe K]

Hey 219,

You are still in the process of adjusting to being poz, so please give yourself a break.  The fact that you returned to classes, so soon after diagnosis, is not the sign of someone defeated, instead it's the sign of someone who will fight for what he wants.  Adjusting to being poz is one of the greatest challenges any of us ever faced and there is simply no one way that is the best to get to that point.

I believe that you are better served by acknowledging your strengths, rather than concentrating on what you perceive as weakness.  Adjusting is hard work, so take it slow and realize that sometimes you will feel uncomfortable about certain aspects of your life.  Those feelings do not detract from who and what you are, they are just part of sorting out how you will adjust to being poz.

Joe

[219pm]

Thanks for the warm responses and personal stories.  I think I need to give myself  a break. I'm doing the best that I can, so I appreciate that Joe. I didn't want to just be deppressed, and let this ruin my life even more. I want to be successful for myself and also for anyone diagnosed  after me.

P.s. wolfer I took your advice, and my professor is working with me.

Like Leatherman says I need to be looking towards retirement. 

[PittGurl]

CHEERING FOR YOU 219pm!!!  Keep a'going!!

[next2u]

hello,

i was diagnosed while completing my prerequisite coursework for my masters. it was very hard emotionally and i confided in a school therapist. she was completely supportive and gave me cart blanche for dropping any classes. i did drop a lot of classes and did not finish my master's degree.

Do what you feel comfortable doing. Most importantly do not lose sight of your goals. a hiv diagnosis is one hell of an adjustment and school requires you to be mentally there and that can be hard dealing with the mental and emotional fallout from a HIV diagnosis.

After things calm down a bit get yourself back into your scholastic groove. You will need support and it helps to have something to keep you occupied and not dwelling on your status. plus with the opportunities school will afford you i strongly urge you not to delay or pass up this opportunity.

i did finish my prerequisite course work and ended up in another school. although i did not finish my masters I am still a student. i ended up getting a promotion at work (i work full time), buying a house, adopting 4 pets and getting a live in boyfriend. life got really busy for me and the means to an end that schooling provided took a back set. BTW, i did graduate with a bachelors degree and i graduated with honors and a double major. I would complete my masters degree but heck, im almost 40, my job is solid and a master's wont help me move up in my company nor will it give me the addl access my life needs. It will give me additional expenses and im already saddled with 70k in student loans.

knock it out and try not to accumulate too much debt. it comes back to haunt you. good luck in your endeavors!

best,
~d

[harleymc]

Be clear, if you drop your studies you are not doing it because of HIV but because of your mental state. Hang in there but get as much support as you can.

I've done 6 years of full time education in the 30 years that I've been poz.