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Author Topic: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!  (Read 20012 times)

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Offline gemini20

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  • Posts: 270
Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« on: August 15, 2010, 06:12:50 pm »
I hope I don’t tempt fate or piss anyone off with this post but I just wanted to write and say how great I’ve been feeling over the last few months.

Despite my 19 years of living with HIV, my health has never been better. I can honestly say I have absolutely no health problems whatsoever. At the moment I don’t have to deal with any of the health issues that other long term survivors seem to be dealing with and I don’t know whether I am just very lucky or if the bubble might just be about to burst anytime soon! 

In the last few months I have been hitting the gym regularly and now do a miminum of three 5km runs every week as well as one or two 15-20km bike rides and I’m doing weights as well.

My weight is steady between 56-58kg and my figure is probably the best its been since I was in my early 20s plus the added extra of the anti-retrovirals giving me a bigger bust!

I have no idea what my t-cells might be doing right now; at the last count in June they were 475 (33%) and still undetectable on my boosted Prezista only regime. I’ve recently switched to the tablet form of Ritonavir/Norvir, absolutely no problems with that, but then I never had any problems with the gel capsules either.

I’m currently enjoying my summer break from schools; still just under a month to go before I get back on the road to deliver my HIV awareness talks around the UK – I aready have 40 jobs in the diary for the autumn so will be kept very busy once term kicks off in early September. My reward to myself at the end of all that is a month in Sydney for Christmas and New Year once again.

Not really sure why I wanted to post this but I guess sometimes I feel there isn’t enough said from those of us who are doing perfectly well living with HIV be it long-term survivors like me or those more recently diagnosed.

So there, I said it!

Best wishes,

Emma
Diagnosed 11th September 1991
Current CD4 count 484 (26%); viral load undetectable (December 2011).
Restarting boosted Prezista 08/04/11

Offline dad1216

  • Member
  • Posts: 135
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2010, 06:16:30 pm »
 :-*
23 years HIV+ (Oct 88)
11 years AIDS (March 00)

CD4=83  VL=47,000  (May 2011)
CD4=63  VL=78,470  (Oct 2010)
Prezista..Norvir..Truvada

Offline john33

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  • Posts: 407
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2010, 06:21:51 pm »
Emma,

I felt the same as you worrying that I might piss someone off over my last results. In fact I asked Anne if I was being a little untactful.

We need good news and love hearing about it. Personally I think it'll give some of the newly diagnosed hope and that much needed glimmer of light.

As far as your current situation is concerned, "you go girl" enjoy this, enjoy every last second because you deserve it.

John

Offline ElZorro

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2010, 06:33:36 pm »
My weight is steady between 56-58kg and my figure is probably the best its been since I was in my early 20s plus the added extra of the anti-retrovirals giving me a bigger bust!

and, if that's a picture of you, you have a great smile that is very inspiring! Glad you're feeling so great!  :P

Offline Inchlingblue

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2010, 07:07:07 pm »
That's great news, Emma.

I'm so tempted to try a boosted PI as monotherapy, maybe someday.

Were you undetectable for a while on a 3-drug combo before trying it?

Offline leese43

  • Member
  • Posts: 257
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2010, 07:08:27 pm »
Great news and we definately need to hear it!
Oct 04 - Neg
Aug 05 - infected
Oct 05 - cd4 780, vl 60k
Apr 08 - cd4 430, vl 243
Jul 08 - cd4 550, vl 896
Nov 08 - cd4 730, vl 1.8k
May 09 - cd4 590, vl 1.5k
Sep 09 - cd4 460 vl 34k
Dec 09 - cd4 470 vl 42k
April 10 - cd4 430 vl 88.5k
July 10 - cd4 330 vl 118k
Aug 10 - started reyataz/truvada/norvir
Aug 10 - cd4 380 vl 4k (12 days after starting meds :))
Sep 10 - cd4 520 vl 1.5k
Oct 10 - cd4 590 vl 44
Jan 11 -cd4 610 vl <40 cd4% 50
May 11 - cd4 780 vl UD

Offline gemini20

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2010, 07:16:53 pm »
and, if that's a picture of you, you have a great smile that is very inspiring! Glad you're feeling so great!  :P

Thanks, El Zorro - yep that's me!

:-*

Thanks Bob - nice to see you pop in - hope you are doing okay?


I'm so tempted to try a boosted PI as monotherapy, maybe someday.
Were you undetectable for a while on a 3-drug combo before trying it?

No I wasn't undetectable - I'd actually been on a two year treatment break before I restarted on a PI monotherapy regime. That being said my viral load had only average about 22,000 during my treatment break and was actually only 4,402 when I restarted meds.


Emma
Diagnosed 11th September 1991
Current CD4 count 484 (26%); viral load undetectable (December 2011).
Restarting boosted Prezista 08/04/11

Offline AlanBama

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2010, 07:24:44 pm »
Great news honey, glad you are doing well, and looking great!

Keep doing whatever you're doing, it must be working well for you!

Hugs,

Alan
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline J.R.E.

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  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2010, 07:45:11 pm »
Emma,


Sound great !!  Enjoy the rest of your Summer !!  Nothing wrong with saying that your feeling great , and that things are going well for you ! A very nice uplifting post !!



Ray 8)
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline mecch

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  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2010, 08:51:09 pm »
Congrats.  Such a lovely smile in the pic, too!
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline WillyWump

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2010, 09:09:33 pm »
Emma,

I love hearing this!

Congrats and Yay you!!!

-Will
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline Jody

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #11 on: August 15, 2010, 09:51:00 pm »
Great news from Great Britain's most delightful, travelling HIV educator, bags ever packed, AIDS info to go, and and from such a bright, charming lady with so much to give.

Great to hear you are doing so well Emma, not just on paper (your numbers), but also with your daily life, and making a difference for others to stay healthy first and foremost and to get help if they cannot do so.  And for many struggling with their regimens and/or their health or who perhaps are still deciding whether to take meds, Emma provides her own personal feelings and results and there is not only room for that, it's to be encouraged. 

Meeting Emma was a great joy for me on my trip to England and she very much lights up a room with her presence!!!

Jody :)
"Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world".
 "Try to discover that you are the song that the morning brings."

Grateful Dead

Offline Life

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  • Member 2005
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2010, 10:10:18 pm »
Hi Em,

I am so proud of you.  You deserve to be happy..

Hugs,

Eric

Offline Hellraiser

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  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2010, 10:14:16 pm »
Awesome news Emma!

Offline tednlou2

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #14 on: August 15, 2010, 10:14:36 pm »
Thanks for sharing.  I definitely need to hear stories like yours.  I suppose most people don't post about when they feel great, so all we hear are the bad many times.  I'm guilty of this myself.  

I was just talking to someone I know.  His friend, who was just 40, just died from liver failure.  He had HIV and Hep C.  It really got me down thinking what is there to look forward to besides health problems--even though I don't have Hep C.  So, it is good to hear the other side, too.  I don't mean to take away from the importance of talking about the bad stuff as well.

Offline Robert

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #15 on: August 15, 2010, 11:32:54 pm »
hi emma.

ya done good and you said it well.

Congratulations.  I'm also on Prezista and the Norvir (tablet).  But my Dr. has also added Combivir.  Combivir is not my friend.  I see the Dr. tomorrow.  I will ask her about mono therapy and see if we can drop the Combivir.

It sounds like you have a great rest of the year planned out.  My long term plans include a trip to Sydney and when I go I'll make sure to plan it around the holidays so we can exchange Christmas stockings.

robert
..........

Offline newby05

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  • Posts: 41
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #16 on: August 15, 2010, 11:38:18 pm »
Emma,
Great post! You and everyone else is correct. It is nice to hear that feeling good can happen.  :)

Offline carousel

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #17 on: August 16, 2010, 04:09:01 am »
Babes, have you been getting some regular jiggy jiggy?

Congratulations on the bust.

Offline shotis

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #18 on: August 16, 2010, 10:58:52 am »
These are stories I enjoy hearing, keep up the good work. I am inspired. I am also back at the gym after a period of absence due work commitment. I thought i should take myself back since I am on two weeks leave from work.

Offline Ravhyn

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #19 on: August 16, 2010, 11:05:26 am »
Emma I absolutely loved your post! great thing to read first thing waking up, and very inspiring to though rest of us.
April 2006 - Sero-Conversion
December 2009 - Diagnosed
Jan 2010- VL 3,800 CD4 152
Summer 2010 VL UD, CD4 over 200
September 2010 VL UD, CD4 324
March 2011 VL UD, CD4 477
May 2011 VL UD, 338

Offline HippieLady

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  • Posts: 219
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #20 on: August 16, 2010, 11:06:12 am »
It's good to read something uplifting.  Glad to hear that you are feeling super!

btw...still jealous of the bust increase!   ;D
~Katie~
Diagnosed HIV+ April 30, 2010

Current CD4-638  VL-UD  11/2013

Offline Nestor

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  • What we love, we shall grow to resemble.
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #21 on: August 16, 2010, 11:08:33 am »
Me too!  In schools we say that people only talk when they have a complaint, and it's the same with this.  Thanks for sharing your good news!  There are lots of nervous and afraid people (me included, sometimes) to whom it does a lot of good to see a message like this and think "maybe I'll be fine too."  Thanks!  

Edited to add:

I typed this just before HippieLady wrote her response, and in saying "me too" I was specifically referring to Ravhyn's statement that she loved your post.  Not saying that I, too, am jealous of the bust increase.  Although, if there were an ARV that promised bigger biceps (or something) that might be an argument in favor of that regimen. 
« Last Edit: August 16, 2010, 11:12:02 am by Nestor »
Summer 2004--became HIV+
Dec. 2005--found out

Date          CD4    %       VL
Jan. '06    725    25      9,097
Nov. '06    671    34     52,202
Apr. '07    553    30      24,270
Sept. '07  685    27       4,849
Jan. '08    825    29       4,749
Mar. '08    751    30     16,026
Aug. '08    653    30       3,108
Oct. '08     819    28     10,046
Jan '09      547    31     13,000
May '09     645   25        6,478
Aug. '09    688   30      19,571
Nov. '09     641    27       9,598
Feb. '10     638    27       4,480
May '10      687      9    799,000 (CMV)
July '10      600     21      31,000
Nov '10      682     24     15,000
June '11     563    23     210,000 (blasto)
July  '11      530    22      39,000
Aug '11      677     22      21,000
Sept. '12    747     15      14,000

Offline Jeff G

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  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #22 on: August 16, 2010, 12:45:16 pm »
That's great news Emma . You have inspired me , I'm going to go check out the gym that just opened down the street and double down on my desire to finally stop smoking .
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Offline skeebo1969

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #23 on: August 16, 2010, 01:34:35 pm »


   What a beautiful post Emma, thanks for sharing.

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

Offline Realist

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    • NotDownNotOut's Blog
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #24 on: August 16, 2010, 01:46:58 pm »
Aiming to feel as good as this in 20 or so years!
23/02/10 Tests confirmed
25/02/10 13100 220 24%
12/03/10 19800 372 19%
26/03/10 Atripla
30/04/10 58 286 23%
28/05/10 45 222 21%
25/06/10 UD 301 23%
24/09/10 UD 283 22%
01/12/10 UD 319 23%
11/03/11 UD 293 28%
10/06/11 UD 423 24%
23/08/11 UD 389 26%
28/02/11 UD 315 34%

I blogged it all http://notdownnotout.blogspot.com

Offline ruralguy

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #25 on: August 16, 2010, 02:14:27 pm »
Thanks for posting good news :)     
tested positive June 19, 2009
7/3/09 vrl 9000 cd4 - 300
8/14/09 cd4 - 350, 20%
started Atripla 9/14/09
10/5/09 vrl undetectable, WOW so fast!
12/28/09 vrl undetectable, CD4 - 615  27% cholesterol down, kidney function normal
4/26/10 vrl undetectable, CD4-600, kidney and liver numbers normal
9/9/10 vrl undetectable, CD4-685
1/3/11 vrl undetectable, CD4-700
all 2011 and Jan 2012 visits vrl undetectable CD4 ranged from 715-645
5/7/2012  vrl undetectable, CD4-615, all liver, kidney, lipids, heart functions, etc normal


On Atripla:  "Your mileage may vary"

Offline gemini20

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #26 on: August 16, 2010, 06:40:25 pm »
Got back from the gym (5.8km run in 40 minutes, next time I will crack 6km!) a couple of hours ago and thought I'd see if there was any more response to my thread.

Wow, thanks guys and gals for all the wonderful comments! I really didn't know what sort of response this thread might generate so I am pleased I posted it; the words had been swimming around my head for a few weeks now and I really wasn't sure whether to share but now I'm glad I did!

Babes, have you been getting some regular jiggy jiggy?

Oh and this did make me laugh! For the record, yep, still getting a regular workout with the guy I told you about at the AMG in London!

My long term plans include a trip to Sydney and when I go I'll make sure to plan it around the holidays so we can exchange Christmas stockings.

Wow that would be fantastic Robert, couldn't think of a better place to meet! Given this is my third year running that I will be in Sydney for Xmas I think it's a fair bet I'll be there each and every holiday in the foreseeable future.

Thanks again everyone, I really have been touched by your comments.

Emma

Diagnosed 11th September 1991
Current CD4 count 484 (26%); viral load undetectable (December 2011).
Restarting boosted Prezista 08/04/11

Offline ElZorro

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #27 on: August 16, 2010, 09:56:45 pm »
I printed your original post and put it on the fridge so I can see it everday. There's just something about seeing a pretty girl smiling and talking about living with HIV for 19 years that makes me feel like what I'm going through is not insurmountable and that anything can be overcome.

Thanks so much for the post!!!

Offline LoboDog

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #28 on: August 16, 2010, 10:14:53 pm »
HEY!!!

I want the big boobs and girlish figure too!!!

I'm happy for you!!! Keep smiling, keep living, and keep loving!

Offline kev

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #29 on: August 17, 2010, 02:01:53 am »
 :) You go girl! You inspire me!  Thanks for sharing that.

Offline leatherman

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #30 on: August 17, 2010, 02:20:40 am »
WooHoo Em! ;D

Never feel badly about telling us good news. God knows all the bad news we've had over all these years. I'd much rather hear your good news and celebrate with you (and even deal with a touch of jealousy about all those lovely tcells) than have to talk about rising viral loads, bad side effects, or the partners we've lost. Sometimes it's tough to break through that "survivor's guilt"; but we had to have survived for a reason - and I can't think of a better reason than to hear how well you're doing. :-*

Thanks for sharing something good!

the boyz and I send our love  :-*
Woof! Woof! Woof!
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline fearless

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #31 on: August 17, 2010, 05:01:39 am »
hey Emma,

Great news and woo wa wa, you is looking mighty fine!!!

I hope you can forgive my rudeness on your last visit. If you are around and willing to give me another chance, I'd still like to catch up and show you some of my favourite places when you are next in town.
And., Roberto - make it this year!!! c'mon, you know you want to. spoil yourself.

Steve
Be forgiving, be grateful, be optimistic

Offline gemini20

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #32 on: August 18, 2010, 05:23:43 am »
I hope you can forgive my rudeness on your last visit. If you are around and willing to give me another chance, I'd still like to catch up and show you some of my favourite places when you are next in town.

You are forgiven! Definitely will make time to meet this time around - I'll be in Sydney from 14th December to 12 January. If I remember you were going to take me to your favourite outdoor pool - now with my fabulous figure I won't mind getting into my swimming kit!  :)


Emma




Diagnosed 11th September 1991
Current CD4 count 484 (26%); viral load undetectable (December 2011).
Restarting boosted Prezista 08/04/11

Offline Joe K

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #33 on: August 18, 2010, 01:59:05 pm »
Emma,

Wonderful news and I am insanely jealous. Seriously though, why would you ever think that we don't want to hear good news? Your post just made my day.

Joe

Offline david3012

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #34 on: August 18, 2010, 02:44:20 pm »
Hi Emma

I dont often post on here but just wanted to say thank you for such an uplifting post. Ive just passed my 20th anniversary with this damned virus but touch wood....am doing well, working and living a virtually normal life.

Im in the UK too and as we were diagnosed around the same time Im guessing you had the same depressing outlook back in the early 1990's. My biggest worry for the next 20 years is saving for a pension!!

Keep smiling.

David

Offline gemini20

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #35 on: August 18, 2010, 06:56:53 pm »
Im in the UK too and as we were diagnosed around the same time Im guessing you had the same depressing outlook back in the early 1990's. My biggest worry for the next 20 years is saving for a pension!!

Very much so, I wrote my will and bought my coffin when I was in my early 20s! The will has subsequently got binned but the coffin is still in the living room and has been a very useful storage box for my vinyl record collection and makes for a good window seat!

As for the pension I'm still not bothering with one of those! I guess if I'm still here in another 20 years I'll be regretting that decision.

Emma




Diagnosed 11th September 1991
Current CD4 count 484 (26%); viral load undetectable (December 2011).
Restarting boosted Prezista 08/04/11

Offline BlueMoon

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #36 on: August 18, 2010, 08:17:39 pm »
Congratulations and thanks for the good news.  Screw the pension!  Vinyl rocks!
It's a complex world

Offline wtfimpoz

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #37 on: August 19, 2010, 12:25:38 am »
Good for you!  You look absolutely fantastic, and I'm so glad to know that you feel the same!  How inspirational!  LMFAO @ the boob comment btw.
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline Jeffreyj

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Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #38 on: August 19, 2010, 03:59:39 am »
You go Girl! woohoo.

Sweet Ema, I'm so happy to hear this news. I'm so happy for you.

As hard as you work and all, you sure do deserve to feel good! It could not happen to a nicer person!

Hugs to Ema, indeed!
Positive since 1985

Offline Snowangel

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  • Posts: 1,429
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #39 on: August 19, 2010, 01:53:03 pm »
Hi Em!

Glad to hear you are doing so well!
Thanks for sharing!
Snow
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important

The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge..

One thing you can give and still keep...is your word.

One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #40 on: August 19, 2010, 10:33:02 pm »
Hey Emma,

Glad to hear things are going so well - and that you get to travel too!

Thanks for sharing.

HUGS,

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

Offline northernguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,347
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #41 on: August 20, 2010, 12:19:51 am »
Congratulations Emma.  You should be doubly proud since its not just a case of the meds working, but of you taking the fitness initiative as well!
Apr 28/06 cd4 600 vl 10,600 cd% 25
Nov 8/09 cd4 510 vl 49,5000 cd% 16
Jan 16/10 cd4 660 vl 54,309 cd% 16
Feb 17/10 Started Atripla
Mar 7/10 cd4 710 vl 1,076 cd% 21
Apr 18/10 cd4 920 vl 268 cd% 28
Jun 19/10 cd4 450 vl 60 cd% 25
Aug 15/10 cd4 680 vl 205 cd% 27
Apr 3/11 cd4 780 vl <40 cd% 30
Jul 17/11 cd4 960 vl <40 cd%33
April 15/12 cd4 1,010 vl <40 cd% 39
April 20/12 Switched to Viramune + Truvada
Aug 2/12 cd4 1040, vl <40, cd% 38
Oct 19 cd4 1,110 vl <40 cd% 41

Offline hope_for_a_cure

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,517
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #42 on: August 20, 2010, 05:32:43 pm »
Great news!  I like reading success stories like this. 

Granny60

  • Guest
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #43 on: August 20, 2010, 11:00:25 pm »
Thank you for sharing the wonderful news! It was delightful to read.  Here's to many more spectacular years!

Offline fearless

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,191
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #44 on: August 24, 2010, 11:05:42 pm »
You are forgiven! Definitely will make time to meet this time around - I'll be in Sydney from 14th December to 12 January. If I remember you were going to take me to your favourite outdoor pool - now with my fabulous figure I won't mind getting into my swimming kit!  :)


Emma

Thank you.

Now let's talk Roberto into coming out this year as well. He could be here for his birthday which falls during the time you are here.
We have an office shut down b/w Xmas and New Year and I'll likely ad a week on one side.
Be forgiving, be grateful, be optimistic

Offline paradiseboy

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  • Posts: 13
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #45 on: August 24, 2010, 11:19:35 pm »
wow thats fantastic you go girl...

Offline Robert

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  • Posts: 2,658
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #46 on: August 25, 2010, 12:07:30 am »
Now let's talk Roberto into coming out this year as well. He could be here for his birthday which falls during the time you are here.
We have an office shut down b/w Xmas and New Year and I'll likely ad a week on one side.

ummm....as my father  used to say, "...damn you Enoch.  You know I got two hogs!"

You know I can't say no~~.

Let me check out Southwest Airlines and Jet Blue. Prices are generaly good but I find their schedules are somewhat lacking.


robert
..........

Offline HowYouDoin

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
  • this is not me but i wish, lol
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #47 on: August 27, 2010, 12:59:47 pm »
THanks for the update. It is refreshing to hear people also talk about their good experience.

Offline LGO77

  • New Member
  • Posts: 1
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #48 on: August 29, 2010, 03:04:59 pm »
Hi Emma

I am very new to this website and I feel uplifted having read your story,  It makes me feel like maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I might have a future to look forward to,even with my diagnosis.  I have been diagnosed a year and still feel like I am trying to come to terms with it, so it is nice to hear someone feeling fantastic rather than the negative postings.

Thanks for giving me hope

D x

Offline gemini20

  • Member
  • Posts: 270
Re: Feeling Fantastic - there I said it!
« Reply #49 on: August 29, 2010, 04:12:52 pm »
Hi Emma

I am very new to this website and I feel uplifted having read your story,  It makes me feel like maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I might have a future to look forward to,even with my diagnosis.  I have been diagnosed a year and still feel like I am trying to come to terms with it, so it is nice to hear someone feeling fantastic rather than the negative postings.

Thanks for giving me hope

D x

Welcome D and thank you for your comment. Hang onto that light at the end of the tunnel - I had others give that to me in my early days and it made such a difference to know that people were surviving and thriving with HIV.

I think coming to terms with HIV is an ongoing process; even after 19 years I still have the occasional moment of thinking I'm not dealing well with this!

I believe one key to my living well with HIV has been to have a passion in life to keep me going through the dark days - fortunately I have a few - music, art, football to name just three. It has really helped me, particularly in the early years.

And thanks to everyone else who has posted since I last checked in - I am glad I started this thread now, even if my initial thoughts were that people wouldn't want to hear 'good' news.

And just to say I cracked the 6km run in 40 minutes and am now up to 6.4km!


Emma  :)
Diagnosed 11th September 1991
Current CD4 count 484 (26%); viral load undetectable (December 2011).
Restarting boosted Prezista 08/04/11

 


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