Celebrating Life

[silvermercury88]

Hello,

I'm a 24-year-old gay male living in Texas, and I tested positive for HIV one year ago on Oct. 27th. Rather than dwell on the negative or on thoughts of the past, I thought instead it would be better to celebrate life on my one-year anniversary, and for each year that follows.

Is there anyone else out there that celebrates on the date of their diagnosis? Surround yourself with friends & family? What do you do on the day you were told you were HIV positive?

Thanks everyone.

[tednlou2]

Welcome to the forums.  It is good that you're choosing to look at the positive (no pun intended) parts of your life, instead of the negative.

I don't celebrate the day.  I would prefer to not even think about it.  When I do, I have emotions of sadness.  But, I also feel good that I've made it this far without a complete meltdown.  It is coming up on 4 years, since I was dx'd.  I've been infected much longer than that.  It is kinda hard for me to believe it has been 4 years already.  When I got my dx in the hospital, the days following seemed like an eternity. 

So, I'll wish you a very Happy Anniversary.  How do you plan to celebrate life?  Perhaps I will give that a try this year.   

[Buckmark]

Welcome,

Personally, I can't say I ever bought myself a cake to commemorate and celebrate the day I received my diagnosis.  Nor have a thrown a party with my family and friends, replete a petting zoo, or a bouncy castle, or go go boys.  Maybe I should.   

For me, "celebrate" isn't the right word.  I certainly give thanks that I'm still alive and kicking after 23+ years with HIV.  But it doesn't come on the date of my diagnosis, because I just don't remember.  Maybe I should put it into my Google calendar.

I think you are spot on by not dwelling on the past.  But be sure to learn from it.

There are more than a few Texans here on these forums.  I live in Austin.  Be careful of a member here named WillyWump!  He's a handful.

Cheers,

Henry

P.S.  For the record, go go boys aren't my style.  WillyWump, on the other hand, he loves 'em!

[Buckmark]

I can think of a whole new line of greeting cards:  Happy AIDSiversary!

I really shouldn't be posting when I have insomnia.

[Joe K]

I really shouldn't be posting when I have insomnia.

Better than posting drunk.   

Joe

[Joe K]

Hey Silver,

I'm with Henry.  After 27 years poz, the glamour seems to wear off.  I can never forget I'm poz, I have too many reminders daily, so celebrating my infection would seem to be an oxymoron.

Joe

[buginme2]

No

As a matter of fact I don't think much about the date of my diagnosis.  In fact, until I read your post I had actually forgot that it has been 2 years since I was diagnosed.  I tested positive in October of 2010 (I have forgotten the exact date).  Happy anniversary to me!  I will buy myself a cupcake tomorrow.

[spacebarsux]

My first anniversary was sort of strange. I mean, in a way it signalled my personal strength and the beginning of a new life, but it was also sad as it marked the end of an era: a life without HIV.

I like your attitude of celebrating that day and keeping an optimistic outlook. 

[jkinatl2]

I try to celebrate all my life changing events - except that life keeps changing so much it's hard to keep up

[Common_ground]

I think its worthy to celebrate everything which is done to better oneself, such as stop smoking, drinking or doing drugs , which could be effects of a HIV diagnosis. 

To "celebrate" life because I have HIV and at the same time not dwell on the past doesnt add up to me. I dont need that painful reminder of our mortality every year, personally I rather process the event and move on. 

[mecch]

Hello,

I'm a 24-year-old gay male living in Texas, and I tested positive for HIV one year ago on Oct. 27th. Rather than dwell on the negative or on thoughts of the past, I thought instead it would be better to celebrate life on my one-year anniversary, and for each year that follows.

Is there anyone else out there that celebrates on the date of their diagnosis? Surround yourself with friends & family? What do you do on the day you were told you were HIV positive?

Thanks everyone.

Just curious, do they all know when they are with you what they are celebrating with you?

Whatever works for you.

I dont remember these kinds of dates.  I don't remember the date of the one time I was in a car crash. I don't remember the date I sliced my leg open skiing. I don't remember the date I got an HIV diagnosis, and anyway, it was a couple different days, it was more like 3 weeks of tests and maybes and anxieties....   

I think thats just my character.  I don't go out of the way not to remember such dates, I just don't bother to remember. 

I remember the ordinary dates, birthdays, holiday dates, etc.  I remember a lot of great weddings Ive been to where we all celebrated life, but I dont remember the dates of any of them....

[intaglio]

...a petting zoo, or a bouncy castle, or go go boys...

I envisioned a combination of all three and now my mind's in the gutter. Thanks.

My positive confirmation date is also the birthday of one of my grandparents, so there is no forgetting it until I'm old and drooling in my bib.

[Jeff G]

I tested poz so long ago that I didn't bother to remember the exact date . The people at the health dept I tested at probably remember it better than I do because I was one of the first to test poz there and they were freaking out a whole lot worse than I was .

It was only later that it hit me as odd that I was the one who had just tested poz but was the one telling the nurse it was going to be OK , she was in tears when she gave me the news .   

[britchick]

Hi!

I probably sound stupid but instead of thinking about my date of diagnosis Im going to celebrate the day that  i came out of hospital....so it will be next March!!
Just a" be good to myself day!".....nothing fancy...just a day to reflect!

Britchickx

[Denise03]

It's a great feeling to see another year.  I'm thankful and glad to see a brand new day of mercy.  I get another chance to help someone to deal with this as I help myself.  I don't celebrate my anniversary but I learned not to take anything for granted from that dreadful day back on July 19, 2007. I found out that I was positive and I decided to live my best days.  My doctor told me I should not have made it but here I am five years and three months later.  It's hard sometimes not having someone to talk to that is actually living it day by day.  Rejection is hard but I made up my mind that you will either love or hate me, accept or reject me but it doesn't matter because in spite of it all I know that I'm still a child of God so I'm truly loved.  I love myself enough to keep my head up and keep striving! May you have many more wonderful anniversaries to come.  Living "Victorious 4 Life"