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Author Topic: Living and loving positive  (Read 4010 times)

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Offline atlanta05

  • Member
  • Posts: 21
Living and loving positive
« on: August 17, 2011, 04:19:59 am »
Hi everyone,

I've been lurking here for a couple of years now since my DX, wanting to find out as much as possible about other peoples' stories and thoughts on HIV. I've wanted to post a few times but well, here's my first one.

Quick version of my story;
- Conversion illness nearly 7 years ago, which a doctor and I put down to 'a wierd bout of flu.'
- Tested 2-and-a-half years ago after meeting my now-wife. We started to get serious about each other and decided to get tested together. Mine came back positive, hers neg. (We re-tested for her later too, to be sure)
- I hid the result from her a few days while I reeled in shock, then we had a face-to-face and I was lucky that she was very supportive; it hasn't changed the basis of our relationship.
- Found a doctor, did first labs, began meds a few months later.
- Finally had an excuse for the digestive "issues" and rashes/sweats I'd been having.
- Meds (Sustiva and Truvada) have worked well - UD in about 6 months.
- I drink Spirulina every day, exercise and drink the odd glass of wine.
- My CD4s went from 187 (first labs) to around-500 each time in a year, I've been hovering there since.

Sorry for the list format, I just wanted to get the background info out of the way but out there, you know?

My main reason to post today is to say that I'm having a happy story so far with HIV. I was kinda messed up for a week or three, and even had a coke/alcohol binge in a defiant sort-of "I want fun!" mood, but mostly I just tried to learn as much as possible about 'my fabulous disease' as I heard someone call it. These forums have been absolutely invaluable for gaining not just info but perspective, and for that I thank the whole community, every post I've read has given me a bit more to fill in the picture.

I'm very lucky in that my wife has stood by me every step of the way in this and the best news is that we are now expecting our first (maybe only) baby!

We researched a lot and consulted sperm washing / IVF clinics, and in the end (yes, the Swiss study helped to sway our decision) decided to go natural. We used a calendar for her (actually, an iPhone app) which told us when to get busy and, hey, used nothing for me. I admit it felt great and made me very horny, and it worked first time. She was tested again as part of the early pregnancy routine and was neg - I cried tears of joy that day; not only was she healthy but our baby was too.

And now she's about 6 months along, things are great, and I'm grateful to her, our doctors, and my health insurance system. This is a lucky story and I know many, many people in some countries aren't as lucky.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, I just wanted to share my story and gratitude with this forum community. You really have helped me live and learn with this thing.

I guess that's it for now. I've been wanting to introduce myself for ages.

Stay well    :)
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Offline spacebarsux

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,350
  • Survival of the Fittest
Re: Living and loving positive
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2011, 04:52:02 am »
Welcome to the forums atlanta.

Great story and congrats on your wife's pregnancy.  :)
Logged
Infected-  2005 or early 2006; Diagnosed- Jan 28th, 2011; Feb '11- CD4 754 @34%, VL- 39K; July '11- CD4 907@26%,  VL-81K; Feb '12- CD4 713 @31%, VL- 41K, Nov '12- CD4- 827@31%

Offline emeraldize

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,397
Re: Living and loving positive
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2011, 05:48:03 am »
Thank you so much for sharing your story--what a great thing to read first thing today. It beats much of the current news events. Best of luck in bringing your baby into the world. You lurked? And you had such a great tale to tell? Well, please don't keep us waiting so long for future chapters of happiness. 'kay?  Em
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Offline Assurbanipal

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,177
  • Taking a forums break, still see PM's
Re: Living and loving positive
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2011, 07:41:58 am »
Welcome Atlanta

Glad you've decided to join in the conversation

Assurbanipal
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5/06 VL 1M+, CD4 22, 5% , pneumonia, thrush -- O2 support 2 months, 6/06 +Kaletra/Truvada
9/06 VL 3959 CD4 297 13.5% 12/06 VL <400 CD4 350 15.2% +Pravachol
2007 VL<400, 70, 50 CD4 408-729 16.0% -19.7%
2008 VL UD CD4 468 - 538 16.7% - 24.6% Osteoporosis 11/08 doubled Pravachol, +Calcium/D
02/09 VL 100 CD4 616 23.7% 03/09 VL 130 5/09 VL 100 CD4 540 28.4% +Actonel (osteoporosis) 7/09 VL 130
8/09  new regimen Isentress/Epzicom 9/09 VL UD CD4 621 32.7% 11/09 VL UD CD4 607 26.4% swap Isentress for Prezista/Norvir 12/09 (liver and muscle issues) VL 50
2010 VL UD CD4 573-680 26.1% - 30.9% 12/10 VL 20
2011 VL UD-20 CD4 568-673 24.7%-30.6%
2012 VL UD swap Prezista/Norvir for Reyataz drop statin CD4 768-828 26.7%-30.7%
2014 VL UD - 48
2015 VL 130 Moved to Triumeq

Offline karry

  • Member
  • Posts: 344
Re: Living and loving positive
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2011, 08:02:21 am »
Hi and welcome!
Thanks for sharing this positive experience you are living! It does confirm my believe that we can live the "positive" life in a positive way too.
Congratulations to you and the wife for the upcoming happy event!
Please keep us updated.
Hugs to you
Karry
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Take it a day at a time....and be positive about it too!

Offline sp2323

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Re: Living and loving positive
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2011, 11:27:03 pm »
Awesome!! congrats!!
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Offline mecch

  • Member
  • Posts: 13,455
  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: Living and loving positive
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2011, 06:59:36 am »
Thats a great way to tell your story.  You should share it with newspapers and media when you read stories that are hateful against HIV+ people.  I especially like how HIV is an unwelcome passenger but you do all the right things and have the right attitude to adjust and drive on.  No woeful infection story, no wallowing in shame, or guilt, or fear. A guy building his life.  Nice.

What country are you from by the way.?
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“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline atlanta05

  • Member
  • Posts: 21
Re: Living and loving positive
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2011, 09:59:24 am »
@mecch, I'm from Australia. Thank you for such welcoming comments, everyone..See you soon!
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