My Story

[LivingFree1989]

Well I have been reviewing the forums for years now and they really inspire me and move me to do things. I feel like only others that go through what I go through will understand. In Jan 2008 I had a bout of flu like symptoms. I was seeing spots, had a sore throat, felt faint, no appetite, no energy. I went to the doc on campus it was my first year of college. I had a fever and he prescribed penicillin. It wasn't getting better really and the penicillin made me feel bad I was taking it 4x a day. I got over it thinking it was the flu which I had never caught before. During this time I got saved. A month later I was baptized and life was great. In March I went to the health department to see if I could get free birth control and free yeast infection medication. Since it was my first time they drew blood for syphilis and HIV. I had been tested in Dec. so I thought okay whatever. After two weeks got a call from a man. I had never saw a man in that health dept  and apparently he just comes to give bad news. I came and he sat me down and told me my results were positive I was speechless. I immediately got up and walked out the door to the car. He pleaded with me to come back. I came back and cried more than ever. He asked a million questions, who have u slept with,what kind of sexual activity do you participate in... its really a blur. After I finished with him I went back to campus and went to class, like it was business as usual. I continued on. I told my roommate and called my aunt. I guess I wanted a reaction, someone to reassure me that this wasn't the end. On the inside I wanted to kill the person who did this to me...I knew who it was, He was the only one it could be. It hurt so bad. Within six months I was able to breathe. Went to the doctor and 18 tubes of blood work drawn and when they came back got a slew of vaccinations. I tried to breathe. Fast forward to today.... I just graduated nursing school, my health is okay. No medication yet, I spent a year hiding from my disease so I avoided the doctor and focused on school. Went to the doc last week after much pleading from people who love me. As far as my mental health it needs work. I stay focused on God who strengthens me. I can't believe its been 4 years since I was diagnosed and I am blessed that I am living well enough to tell about it. Thanks For Reading

[anniebc]

Hi there

Welcome to the forum, I was pleased to read that you had got over the roller coaster ride, not a ride any of us enjoyed, ( I was diagnosed in 2002) but it's good to know you are now in a good place.

Congratulations on graduating from Nursing School, I was a nurse for 30 years, it's a great career, so keep up the good work, stay focused on your health and keep looking on the bright side.

Look forward to hearing more from you.

Take care
Jan

[LivingFree1989]

Thanks For Reading!

[karry]

Hello Livingfree1989!
Congratulations on graduating from nursing school!

Keep the faith! I am a believer, and that has helped me a lot to deal with diagnosis.
Hugs to you
K

[centoritodd]

:-) 

[LivingFree1989]

Thanks!!! I got some great news today! I am officially a Registered Nurse God is good!!!

[emeraldize]

Congratulations on becoming a Registered Nurse.

That is tremendous. Look at what you were able to do during one of the most stressful times of your life.

Have a great career. I don't know where you're located in the world, but a good HIV nurse, whether in direct care or research, is always a treat.

Imagine the perspective you would bring to your patients.

Go get 'em -- no matter where you specialize.

[centoritodd]

You ve made me really smile today. .  And a lot of others I bet .. well done ...:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)  vikki

[BT65]

Thanks!!! I got some great news today! I am officially a Registered Nurse God is good!!!

Big (no, HUGE) congrats!  Well done.

[LivingFree1989]

Thanks!

[Truth2Lies]

You know sometime that's a hard choice to chose from because no one actually knows. So it point the finger unless one of them was a virgin. I would like to be your friend and maybe become support buddies.

[niecy_nurse]

Congratulations on passing your boards!! Welcome to the world of nursing. I am a RN as well and it is a wonderful profession. I an a nurse manager in the ER.

I was diagnosed 2 months ago and I am definitely being positive about it. It puts me in a different frame of mind.

Good luck to you in your new profession. Would like to be internet buddies.

[chocaholic]

Congrats on graduating!!!! and good on you for getting yourself together...