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Author Topic: tested positive 5 months ago  (Read 7094 times)

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Offline andrews royal

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  • Posts: 6
tested positive 5 months ago
« on: December 13, 2006, 09:49:51 am »
this is my first time in here and glad to have found u,i have visited the body.com.i had a mild stroke in july which when i was taken to hospital,my blood tests showed i had hiv.i was devastated and was so scared and sad.i took a while to understand what this all means.when i was diagnosed my cd4 was 75 and vl in millions.i had problems with molloscums on my face and sists on my chest,which thankfully have now gone.i started meds str8 away and my cd4 is 460 and vl undetectable.i believe the meds have worked as well as my new enthusiastic faith in god,i have prayed everyday since,it makes me feel better ;D i lost 45kilos in last 12 mths ,i was 150k so was big deal.i now go to gym 3 times a week and after not working since july have gone back to full time work which i almost didnt think would happen.i have cried more in 5 mths then inmy lifetime but am getting there.my dad knows but not my mum althought she did suspect.i have a bf of two years who has been so strong and loving thru this whole thing.i believe god can cure my hiv or at least keep my body strong and healthy.i understand how depressed u can feel but so good to look back so soon after diagnosis and be thankful for things not being worse.i pray i will keep healthy and also wish everyone here can have apeaceful xmas and have some time not thinking about hiv.thanks for reading this ;D

Offline woodshere

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  • Posts: 1,474
  • ain't no shame in my game
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2006, 10:22:50 am »
Andrews,  I think as time passes it does become easier dealing your recent diagnosis.  The good news is how wonderful your meds have worked.  I have been on mine since April and my cd4 has jumped to a whopping 241 from a start of 179.

As a man of faith, I think prayer is important especially in asking for strength and guidance.  But please do not believe God and prayer can cure your HIV.   What can help keep you strong and healthy is proper living and taking those meds.

These forums are a great place to learn, share, laugh and even cry.
Best to you,
Woods
« Last Edit: December 13, 2006, 10:25:01 am by woodshere »
"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it."   Nelson Mandela

Offline Christine

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  • Posts: 1,069
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2006, 11:30:26 am »
Hi Andrews,
Welcome to the forums! I am so glad the meds are working well for you. I wish you and your love a Merry Christmas also.

Christine
Poz since '93. Currently on Procrit, Azithromax, Pentamidine, Valcyte, Levothyroxine, Zoloft, Epzicom, Prezista, Viread, Norvir, and GS-9137 study drug. As needed: Trazodone, Atavan, Diflucan, Zofran, Hydrocodone, Octreotide

5/30/07 t-cells 9; vl 275,000

Offline poet

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  • Posts: 934
  • Poet living and working in Central Maine
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2006, 01:24:34 pm »
Welcome, Andrews.  Your story is another reminder to us of how bad things can have gotten, healthwise, prior to testing positive and yet, with luck, how all of it can in fact be turned around with the right medications.  I am glad that you are back on track and that your b.f. stayed around for what must have been a grim time.  Best of the holidays, Win
Winthrop Smith has published three collections of poetry: Ghetto: From The First Five; The Weigh-In: Collected Poems; Skin Check: New York Poems.  The last was published in December 2006.  He has a work-in-progress underway titled Starting Positions.

Offline Longislander

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  • Posts: 2,489
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2006, 10:16:35 pm »
Hi Andrews, welcome. I'm glad you've turned your health around. You have some good support in God, BF, and you dad.

Glad you've found us, hope your holidays are wonderful.

Paul
infected 10/05 diagnosed 12-05
2/06   379/57000                    6/07 372/30500 25%   4/09 640/U/32% 
5/06   ?? /37000                     8/07 491/55000/24%    9/09 913/U/39%
8/06   349/9500 25%              11/07 515/68000/24     2/10 845/U/38%
9/06   507/16,000 30% !          2/08  516/116k/22%    7/10 906/80/39%
12/06 398/29000 26%             Start Atripla 3/08
3/07   402/80,000 29%            4/08  485/undet!/27
4/07   507/35,000 25%            7/08 625/UD/34%
                                                 11/08 684/U/36%

Offline ACinKC

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  • Bring it VIRUS! #2 Ranked In-crowd Member!
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2006, 10:21:36 pm »
Hello and welcome to our lovely community.  I am sure you will find this site is very informational, helpful and also loving and accepting of lots of different opinions.  This site will be what you make of it.  It can be dysfunctional and frustrating at times but mostly its warm and inviting.

Feel free to post as much or as little as you like about yourself at the time you feel it is appropriate.  I personally have put my entire life on this site and it has yet to bite back.  I consider this place a second family to me and love being here and sharing what I can with those I can.

Anyway…. Welcome, you have received my canned greeting deeming you WORTHY of further communication!!!

Andrew


And in Honor of Eldons Handshake of DOOOOM!  I present the Expolding High Five!


LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline Eldon

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  • Posts: 2,664
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2006, 10:23:01 pm »
Hello Andrews Royal!

I must say that you have really been through one heck of a journey thus far in this life. It is a blessing that you have recovered from your stroke and your other symptoms have cleared up. It fills my heart with JOY and Gladness that you have recovered from this. It is unfortunate in the midst of it all that you have tested positive for HIV. You are not alone.

As you have mentioned your labs, that is one miraculous improvement that has been made with your numbers. Congratulations! Also. I DO admire your enthusiastic faith in God as prayer does make changes for all things in this life. Keep the faith.

In my own way, I wish to extend to you a WARM WELCOME here at the AM forums. Here you will find the encouragement, communication, understanding, support, some cries, some laughter, and many of your questions relating to HIV/AIDS answered.


We have a great group of Real People who will listen as well as answer you. We are here to Encourage, Learn, and Help one another as we all walk on our journey in this life.

With the consideration of implementing a Positive Mental Attitude, it will also assist you on your journey in this life as well as having a Positive Impact on your immune system.

In fact, through your Positive Mental Attitude, it will help you push forward through all of the obstacles on your path that you are now walking on.

Talking to other people helps us see that we are not the only ones with problems. Feel free to come and vent with whatever is on your mind from time-to-time.

Often the act of writing and the ability to “see” your feelings leads to therapeutic insights and solutions. .

In the interim, you may want to start taking a multi-vitamin, and some Omega 3, because it is all up to YOU where YOU want to be.

Exercise at least three times per week for a minimum of 30 minutes per day, as this will do you good to help keep that stress away.

"Don't Give Up, Don't Give In... Cause it is all within you to WIN!"

Offline Teresa

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  • Posts: 1,755
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2006, 10:29:13 pm »


Glad you found us! And this really is the best group of people anywhere on the net!

Hugs
Teresa
Hubby HIV+ 5/5/06
CD4:320
  %: 26.7
 VL: <20
Atripla (started it 8/24/06)

Offline Jeffreyj

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  • Posts: 1,403
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2006, 11:17:35 pm »
A warm welcome to our wonderful family! I am happy to hear you are doing so well!
Positive since 1985

Offline PositivelyYours

  • Member
  • Posts: 133
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2006, 06:58:52 am »
Hello Woodshere,

With all do respect, God and Prayer changes things and People.  I am not sure what God you serve, but the God I serve is a protector, provider and a healer.  He may not have healed you and he may not have healed me, but I TRUST IN HIM and will do so until the day I die.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen!  God works through people!  He can put some information in someone's mind and bam - You have a cure for this disease and other diseases.  I DARE YOU TO TRUST HIM!!! 

PositivelyYours

Andrews,  I think as time passes it does become easier dealing your recent diagnosis.  The good news is how wonderful your meds have worked.  I have been on mine since April and my cd4 has jumped to a whopping 241 from a start of 179.

As a man of faith, I think prayer is important especially in asking for strength and guidance.  But please do not believe God and prayer can cure your HIV.   What can help keep you strong and healthy is proper living and taking those meds.

These forums are a great place to learn, share, laugh and even cry.
Best to you,
Woods
PositivelyYours

Diagnosed: 08/10/2006
08/31/06 CD4:240/VL:39,000
09/12/06 CD4:359/VL:50,000
11/16/06 CD4:509/VL:76,000 (Flu Shot)
02/13/07 CD4:270/VL:69,000
02/17/07 Developed the Shingles
02/20/07 CD4:326/VL (Not Tested)
03/20/07 CD4:484/VL:54,000
06/19/07 CD4:488/VL:51,000
09/18/07 CD4:372/VL:27,000
10/09/07 Took Flu Shot
12/18/07 CD4:408/VL:85,000
03/18/08 CD4:394/VL:116,000 (Still No Meds)
05/22/08 CD4:412/VL:63,000
08/13/08 CD4:362/VL:67,000
09/23/08 Took Flu Shot
10/15/08 CD4:340/VL:54,000
11/14/08 Started Atripla @ 9:45 p.m.
1/30/09 CD4:641/VL:<48 Copies
5/07/09 CD4:667/VL: Undetectable
12/02/09 CD4:759/VL: Undetectable
03/05/10 CD4:537/VL: Undetectable
03/16/10 Rec'd TB Skin Test, Pneumonia & Hep B Vac
04/15/10 Hep B & Tetanus Vac
6/10 CD4: 748 VL: Undet.

Offline woodshere

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  • ain't no shame in my game
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #10 on: December 14, 2006, 09:16:28 am »
Positively Yours,
I agree with much of what you said, as a matter of fact almost all of it.  I serve a God who is about love, grace, forgiveness and all that is good.  I also said I believe in prayer.  My comment was directed to someone who said they had prayed to God to cure them of HIV.  I just personally do not believe God cures an individual of a disease and to think so provides a sense of false hope. What happens when a person who prays to be cured of some disease isn't?  Does that mean God does not care or is not listening? Not at all, it simply means that for some things that is just the way it is.

Andrews Royal should continue to pray, but also live a healthy life and continue taking those meds.  (Which I have no doubt that in some way God played a part in their development)
Woods
"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it."   Nelson Mandela

Offline PositivelyYours

  • Member
  • Posts: 133
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #11 on: December 14, 2006, 06:55:01 pm »
Hello Woodshere,

Thank you so much for responding back to my post.  I truly respect you and your comments.  One thing we both can agree on is that God is an awesome god and his Grace and Mercy is all so sufficient.  What I was trying to say in my original post is that prayer and belief is all most of us have to go on since becoming diagnosed with this dreadful disease.  We should all try and encourage one another to hold on to what you feel and believe.  I believe if everyone who is HIV stricken will pray and ask God to make them feel better or help them through those tough times - I do believe that he will do just that.  As I said before, God will answer prayers and prayers will change thing.  I respect you man and I wish you the Happiest of Holiday Season.

PositivelyYours

Positively Yours,
I agree with much of what you said, as a matter of fact almost all of it.  I serve a God who is about love, grace, forgiveness and all that is good.  I also said I believe in prayer.  My comment was directed to someone who said they had prayed to God to cure them of HIV.  I just personally do not believe God cures an individual of a disease and to think so provides a sense of false hope. What happens when a person who prays to be cured of some disease isn't?  Does that mean God does not care or is not listening? Not at all, it simply means that for some things that is just the way it is.

Andrews Royal should continue to pray, but also live a healthy life and continue taking those meds.  (Which I have no doubt that in some way God played a part in their development)
Woods
PositivelyYours

Diagnosed: 08/10/2006
08/31/06 CD4:240/VL:39,000
09/12/06 CD4:359/VL:50,000
11/16/06 CD4:509/VL:76,000 (Flu Shot)
02/13/07 CD4:270/VL:69,000
02/17/07 Developed the Shingles
02/20/07 CD4:326/VL (Not Tested)
03/20/07 CD4:484/VL:54,000
06/19/07 CD4:488/VL:51,000
09/18/07 CD4:372/VL:27,000
10/09/07 Took Flu Shot
12/18/07 CD4:408/VL:85,000
03/18/08 CD4:394/VL:116,000 (Still No Meds)
05/22/08 CD4:412/VL:63,000
08/13/08 CD4:362/VL:67,000
09/23/08 Took Flu Shot
10/15/08 CD4:340/VL:54,000
11/14/08 Started Atripla @ 9:45 p.m.
1/30/09 CD4:641/VL:<48 Copies
5/07/09 CD4:667/VL: Undetectable
12/02/09 CD4:759/VL: Undetectable
03/05/10 CD4:537/VL: Undetectable
03/16/10 Rec'd TB Skin Test, Pneumonia & Hep B Vac
04/15/10 Hep B & Tetanus Vac
6/10 CD4: 748 VL: Undet.

Offline Eldon

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  • Posts: 2,664
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #12 on: December 14, 2006, 08:49:33 pm »
Hey Positivelyyours and Woods...

Both of you are right on TARGET. I agree very much so. When two or more are gathered together in HIS name the Great Divine, God, there I am in the midst as it has been written.


Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In…Cause it is ALL within you to WIN!

Offline andrews royal

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #13 on: December 27, 2006, 08:23:37 am »
wow,thanks guys for ur great warm welcome,for a second i thought that when this forum changed recently my little story had not made into onto the forums,so glad to see it had.i appreciate all ur replies and will try to visit here often. Up til now i had been getting tests monthly but since november i dont have next doc visit till feb 11th.i hope to tell u that my numbers will have improved again,i have prayed for this and believe god will keep my body strong.I am in no way ur perfect christian,i havent been to church for over 13 years but neva stopped having faith in god.it does frustrate me often that i was stupid enuf to have unsafe sex in the past because ive neva had sex that was so fantastic it was worth contracting a disease for,but thats my fault for being a passionate lover,lol,thats my excuse anyway ;D.my bf has been amazing and he does care and love me so much that i hope he realises i love him so much too.i dont know if i would have such a positive state of mind about all this if he didnt pick me up in my low times.as u can tell i talk a lot,so will say bye 4 now and send my best wishes to everyone here for the future.love to u all! ;)

Offline poet

  • Member
  • Posts: 934
  • Poet living and working in Central Maine
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #14 on: December 27, 2006, 08:26:49 am »
Like the coffee shop we all might wish for, this one has a pot on all the time and welcomes anyone with a need for a cup and a chat.  Hope to hear from you sooner rather than later.  Win
Winthrop Smith has published three collections of poetry: Ghetto: From The First Five; The Weigh-In: Collected Poems; Skin Check: New York Poems.  The last was published in December 2006.  He has a work-in-progress underway titled Starting Positions.

Offline red_Dragon888

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,845
  • Love and Be Love in Return
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #15 on: December 27, 2006, 08:40:31 am »
With God all things are possible.  But let's give him a help now and then.  I am Happy to know you and welcome to the "Big Heart Club."  I hope you will  always enjoy this site and help to make it the wonderful, fantastic, and beautiful place in the world.  BTW May you and yours have a Merry Christmas and and Wonder New Year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline red_Dragon888

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  • Love and Be Love in Return
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #16 on: December 27, 2006, 08:46:57 am »
Andrew,

I wish everyone would just stop blaming themselves for catching HIV.  I know it is not a blessing, but it is not a curse either.  I guess I feel it is a state of mind with medical benefits.  Sorry, i do not mean to belittle the infection.  I just want positive thoughts surrounding us.  in addition, you have someone to love you.  Well, i think that is truly special and wonderful.  I hope you will have a full life together and get everything you want in life.

joe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #17 on: December 27, 2006, 08:52:59 am »
Hey Andrews,

Welcome!

This is a great place to let your hair down, so feel free to make yourself comfortable and chime in.

I see your from the Land Downunder. We have a number of people from your part of the world - and all are a delight. I just love our Aussie men (oh and New Zealand women!)

Glad your're here.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline koi1

  • Member
  • Posts: 713
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #18 on: December 27, 2006, 09:14:49 am »
Ya know what, whatever gets you through the day sista.

It is his right to express his belief in God as it is for us more skeptical folks to warn against reliance on this cruel, tragic fiction of the imagination for any sort of hope.  As for me, I have trouble believing in a Christian God founded in Zororastryan (or however the fuck you spell it) mythology that someone pulled out of their ass thousands of years ago. Religion in general has fucked up the world with the major ones believing their brand is the original, with some taking it as an excuse to kill or commit horrible human rights violations. Major Religions are hypocritically standing in the way of reducing AIDS. Their influence prevents the state from funding many AIDS prevention programs like condoms in prisons, or real sex education in schools for all. They want society to stick their head in the sand as youth and people of all ages are put at risk. They add to the equation of the complex dynamics of HIV infection and may be the biggest correlating factor. The shame, the patriarchal society, the view of all that is feminine as less, the don't question the status quo all contributes to AIDS spreading. Sorry there is no way around it.

People tell me Rob, you don't understand the true meaning of God. You have to believe, silly. Believing in it for me is like saying well hitler, wasn't all that bad, I'm just going to follow the good things he preached, you know like unity, and what's wrong with a little work regimen, the lord will set you free is kinda like Arbeit Machts frei, and stop it with the nationalism bashing already, he is so misunderstood. You know he did kill a lot of jews gypsies and homosexuals. But as a homosexual I can forgive him because you know, I am not that feminine and I'm sure those types just got on his every last nerve, girl with the prada and the chihuahuas in Versace. Poor thing just had some issues. He had his good points. They did the same thing to the poor fathers at the mission, when those liberals turned a blanket donation into a public relations nightmare! I mean who knew those blanket were infected with pox?

But I'm not bitter

rob
« Last Edit: December 27, 2006, 10:17:28 am by koi1 »
diagnosed on 11/20/06 viral load 23,000  cd4 97    8%
01/04/07 six weeks after diagnosis vl 53,000 cd4 cd4 70    6%
Began sustiva truvada 01/04/07
newest labs  drawn on 01/15/07  vl 1,100    cd4 119    7%
Drawn 02/10/07
cd4=160 viral load= 131 percentage= 8%
New labs 3/10/07 (two months on sustiva truvada
cd4 count 292  percentage 14 viral load undetectable

Offline andrews royal

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #19 on: December 27, 2006, 09:35:12 am »
hi red,sorry guess i was just venting a thought that went thru my head few times recently.i dont deny religion has caused lots of conflicts and problems in the world,i guess mine is a more personal belief to get me thru things,some people might call it talking to urself ,i dont formerly pray i just say every day Gday god,thanks for giving me a good night sllep and keeping me healthy and keep m,y loved ones safe aswell,i dont realy do the whole religion thing.not for everyone but works for me ;D

Offline koi1

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  • Posts: 713
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #20 on: December 27, 2006, 09:45:43 am »
Sorry to sound harsh, and again I am glad it works for you. It is just that organized religion i skilling people. It is allowing AIDS to spread viciously. I am in no way trying to attack you. I just hope that you know that science is helping you. I am so glad your numbers are great, and that you are so much better. I am envious. I hope you don't think I am an asshole.

rob
diagnosed on 11/20/06 viral load 23,000  cd4 97    8%
01/04/07 six weeks after diagnosis vl 53,000 cd4 cd4 70    6%
Began sustiva truvada 01/04/07
newest labs  drawn on 01/15/07  vl 1,100    cd4 119    7%
Drawn 02/10/07
cd4=160 viral load= 131 percentage= 8%
New labs 3/10/07 (two months on sustiva truvada
cd4 count 292  percentage 14 viral load undetectable

Offline andrews royal

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #21 on: December 27, 2006, 10:12:58 am »
not at all rob,not in my nature to call people assholes,ur entitled to say what u like just like me.dont worry i am very thankful that my meds have helped a great deal,i am on kaletra,kivexa and efafrienz.but doc tells me they r taking me off kaletra next month,woohoo,that means only 2 tablets just b4 bed ,thats amazing.

Offline woodshere

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  • ain't no shame in my game
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #22 on: December 27, 2006, 10:51:16 am »
It is just that organized religion i skilling people. It is allowing AIDS to spread viciously.

To say organized religion is allowing AIDS to spread is just flat wrong.  I would think African dictators who fail to act as their countries face devastation from HIV would be more appropriate to blame.  And what about those who don't even think there is such a thing as HIV, aren't they more responsible for a failure to act. And lets not forget an individual's responsibility to prevent being infection.  There are few of us who didn't know that condoms can help prevent HIV infection or that needles should not be shared. I will admit that some religions and denominations do look the other way regarding HIV and homosexuality, but there are many that support all those who are HIV+.  Blaming religion is like blaming our government or our parents or some other thing for all of our problems.
Woods
« Last Edit: December 27, 2006, 10:53:09 am by woodshere »
"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it."   Nelson Mandela

Offline koi1

  • Member
  • Posts: 713
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #23 on: December 27, 2006, 11:37:02 am »
Woodshere,

You are abolutely right Organized religion is not allwoing it to spread, but with its attitude helping it spread.  How about  denying prisoners condoms? Don't boil it down to personal responsiblity, as it's not that simple.

As far as government, did you see "And the band played on." Yes, we can safely objectively blame the government for the spread of AIDS." I take responsiblity for putting myself at risk. But there are many complex factors leading to why I put myself there. Part of it is an inner feeling that I am not a worthy person for being a homosexual. I have thought in the past, oh well I was not meant to live that long anyway, I am not as good as my heterosexual brothers. Just passing by the gay area always causes my stomach to cramp and I get diarrhea. It has been that way since I first went there at the age of 22. I went to a gay restaurant and felt like the silverware was dirty. Where did all these ideas come from? Grew up catholic the self hating is still there in my subconscious.

With all due respect, you don't have to go as far as Africa. Look at the gay community recovering from self hatred because their religion tells them they are sub human for wanting live honestly. Look at the African American community with its "downlow" (the pressure to look straight while still having sex with your girl, because god hates faggots) pressures and homohating bible thumping ministers preaching hate agianst the gays. Look at the same problem in the latino culture. A christian based patriarchal society limits the right of women to protect themselves from disease. Not all women are educated middle class white folk. AIDS is hitting hard and it is mostly the disenfranchised who put their trust into a religion that often tells them not to use condoms. Don't you remember the "AIDS kills faggots dead." mentality of the 80's when most didn't care if homos lived or died? Gee who do you think started that little campaign? It was god's punishment you know. Republican Arnold Terminator just vetoed a bill that would have allowed non profit orgs to visit prisoners and distibute condoms. How stupid is that? R u telling me religion had nothing to do with that? Just a thought.

Anyway it is fun debating this with you.

rob
« Last Edit: December 27, 2006, 03:35:58 pm by koi1 »
diagnosed on 11/20/06 viral load 23,000  cd4 97    8%
01/04/07 six weeks after diagnosis vl 53,000 cd4 cd4 70    6%
Began sustiva truvada 01/04/07
newest labs  drawn on 01/15/07  vl 1,100    cd4 119    7%
Drawn 02/10/07
cd4=160 viral load= 131 percentage= 8%
New labs 3/10/07 (two months on sustiva truvada
cd4 count 292  percentage 14 viral load undetectable

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #24 on: December 27, 2006, 12:09:12 pm »

   I would just like to say we cannot place blame for HIV on any one thing or any one person.   We are responsible for our infection and also how we choose to deal with it.   I respect everyones views here and think that everyone is entitled to their opinion.


  Andrew,

     Wow!!   Your numbers are looking great...  These meds do kick ass and I am glad you are doing so well now.   Stories like yours inspire me!  Thanks so much for sharing...

  Thomas
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline woodshere

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,474
  • ain't no shame in my game
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #25 on: December 27, 2006, 12:22:31 pm »
I guess I am lucky.  I am a member of a church that is inclusive of all people. We have over 50 active gays and lesbians in a congregation of about 400. We don't hear sermons on hate or damnation, but on the love of Jesus Christ.  I am also lucky, because I have never had a problem with begin gay and a Christian. My thinking is God made me who I am and if he made me gay, who am I to argue. SO I have never had the feelings of not being worthy for being homosexual or not being as good as my hetrosexuall brother. Of course I have had feelings of not being worthy due to being overweight or failing to live up to my potential.

Now I will quickly admit that religion has really fucked up some people not only homosexuals, but women seeking advancement in the church, divorced men and women, those who have a different interpretation of the scriptures. But if one is a believer there are places where you can be accepted.

Unfortunately, many people try to impose their own religious beliefs on everyone else. I wish that was not the case. But what I try to do is point out that religion is not all bad, we just have some bad apples.

Don't boil it down to personal responsibility, as it's not that simple.


Finally Rob,  I will agree to not boil it down to strictly a personal responsibility, if you agree that organized religion is not the only thing that is allowing HIV to be spread.

Woods

PS - If you check my early posts in this thread I pointed out that taking the meds is the best way to stay healty and not to pray for a cure.
« Last Edit: December 27, 2006, 12:25:18 pm by woodshere »
"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it."   Nelson Mandela

Offline koi1

  • Member
  • Posts: 713
Re: tested positive 5 months ago
« Reply #26 on: December 27, 2006, 01:12:48 pm »
No it is not the only cause. I am glad you never went through what I did. And yes ultimately education and acceptance, self esteem, and personal responsibility will be hopefully a reality. I guess there is always a degree of fanatacism, and I know not all churches are the same. But I just refuse to hug the opressor. I had  a family member die of AIDS. Because of religion he pushed his secret under the rug and died mostly alone, and it is sad. He died in the early nineties. If our government had not dragged its feet in reresearching the meds for this disease, he would probably be here today.  It's just my thing. And I just think that we are forgetting the struggle that silence=death. I am not even that old and I remember it. But then again a lot of people did grow up in a bubble, but the virus got there, showing that we are all vulnerable for reasons that cannot be simplified and dismissed.

And to set the record straight, I was responding to positivelyours who wrote that God will cure you if you pray. And that God puts the aidmeds formulas into scientist's heads. What a crock of manure. It is science people!

rob
« Last Edit: December 27, 2006, 01:16:44 pm by koi1 »
diagnosed on 11/20/06 viral load 23,000  cd4 97    8%
01/04/07 six weeks after diagnosis vl 53,000 cd4 cd4 70    6%
Began sustiva truvada 01/04/07
newest labs  drawn on 01/15/07  vl 1,100    cd4 119    7%
Drawn 02/10/07
cd4=160 viral load= 131 percentage= 8%
New labs 3/10/07 (two months on sustiva truvada
cd4 count 292  percentage 14 viral load undetectable

 


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