There you are... so here I am!

[CallingAllAngels]

I was surprised to find a neat forum like this, and grateful at the same time.

Hi there! I'll go by the username 'CallingAllAngels' here, and it's good to meet you folks. I'm here because over a month ago, I found out I was HIV+. The thing is, I've had it for about three and a half years without knowing it up until now. Someone I used to be with actually contacted me, and told me I'd better get tested. Over the last few years I've had a sucky immune system, but I never paid that much attention to it. Believe me, I'm paying attention now. My CD4 isn't far over 200, and my VL needs to drop a LOT, but I'm on meds now and I'm trying my best to deal.

It's hard. Yeah, I won't lie. Definitely hard, since I never expected it, and it was a nasty shock more than anything. I'm in my early 20s, so doing an aboutface and tuning into a whole new channel was one detour I'd rather have not had to take..... and yet, here I am. I want to learn something from this, and I want to help teenagers talk about their fears and concerns, eventually, somehow.

The meds I'm on (and the work schedule) are making me exhausted. I just got over REALLY bad bronchitis, and there was a little paranoia around that one, you can imagine... I feel like something's gotta give. As it stands, I keep on smiling.

There's a LOT to smile about. I love my family, I love my sweetie, I love curling up and relaxing with a great book, and I like getting up early to watch the sun rise.... the little things you never notice until the day you find yourself noticing EVERYTHING.

So here I am. I hope to stick around and chat with you guys more.

All the best. Cheers!

-CallingAllAngels

[dtwpuck]

Welcome to the forum.  Despite the fact you started this journey three years ago physically, it still new to you and there will be bumps.

Continue to notice everything.  That's a beautiful sentiment.  In the end, this life is all we have.  If you appreciate things RIGHT NOW, you never feel like you missed out.

And, should the bottom ever fall out... we are here to listen.   Again, welcome.

[PJC0510]

There's a LOT to smile about. I love my family, I love my sweetie, I love curling up and relaxing with a great book, and I like getting up early to watch the sun rise.... the little things you never notice until the day you find yourself noticing EVERYTHING.

Welcome!  The best thing is that you are smiling and dealing with your issues!  The days will get easier and sunnier down the road!  Just do not get in a funk!

Have a beauty filled weekend!

Peter

[englishgirl]

hello and welcome. im so glad that you realise there are still so many things to smile about! and the plans you have about educating others is great, you will get a lot from that too. please make sure that you keep seeing the good, and if ever you feel low, let us know 
lots of love xxx

[allopathicholistic]

Hi CAA, sending you well-wishes for your meds to knock the VL down. We have members here who are dealing with bronchitis and energy issues too. The other sections in this site are wonderful too e.g. Living With HIV, Nutrition, Off Topic (for laughter and yakking) ... Also, the site has 2 superb search functions to read up on earlier threads or articles. Just type in the subject you want to read up on:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?action=search

http://www.poz.com/search

Take care
Allo

[CallingAllAngels]

Thanks for the welcomes, all of you! I appreciate them!