New to the Forum

[Persa20]

Hey Everyone,
I'm just joining you and would like to say hey. I've watched on here for a while getting tips on different things, which I want to say thank you to all you for being an inspiration to me. I've just been a little scared to take the leap of faith and join. I'm 39 years old married and husband is neg and so is my daughter. I have been positive since 11/1990. I'm really here to be able to get to know and talk to other people who are experiencing the same things I go through on a daily basis. The few people that know about my status don't really understand the full scope of what I go through. It would just be nice to have someone understand..

[BT65]

Hey Persa,

Welcome to the forums, particularly out little ladie's family.  The women here are great, which I'm sure you've seen.  I've been positive since 1989, only a year before you.  At least that's when I tested poz; I've probably been poz longer than that.  I believe I was infected by my first husband, who died when I was in treatment in '89.  Even though alcoholism is what's listed as the cause of death on his death certificate, when they did the autopsy, they found PCP in his lungs. 

Times have changed, haven't they?  I mean, regarding HIV.  So many more options available today, more meds etc.  It's nice to meet another lady who's also a long-term survivor.  I invite you to join us in our "ladie's thread."  It's where we talk about our daily lives, struggles, and little victories.  And we support each other with a passion. 

Look forward to hearing more!  Again, welcome
  Betty

[Persa20]

Hey Betty,
It's nice to feel welcomed.. I'm sorry to hear about all you had to go through in the beginning that would be tough on top of being in treatment. My first husband cheated on me right during the time i could have been infected but i don't know if it was him or was the guy i started dating after he left with the other woman. He said he had leukemia and only had a couple years to live there were other things his fear of blood and just being around sick people. Then someone told me that they heard he was poz. After i caught pneumonia in 1990 and was hospitalized i started thinking i might have it. But i was too scared to be tested plus i met my husband in 1991 and didn't want to face it really. Then i had a hysterectomy which just about killed me and that is when i found out in 1999. So I've been on meds since then and I'm undetectable and doing pretty good. Alot has changed with the outlook on it. I'll never forget getting my first pneumonia shot and the nurse telling me i probably wouldn't have to worry about getting another one since it was 10 years from then and i would probably not be alive. Wow that was a rough one at the time. I for sure proved her wrong on that one..LOL
I will for sure check out ladies thread...

[TabooPrincess]

Welcome Persa :-)  I've found a lot of support here, I'm sure you will too!