POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: sailorboi8993 on October 02, 2006, 08:44:55 pm

Title: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 02, 2006, 08:44:55 pm: Hello,
My name is Brad, I have had HIV since 4-3-03. my latest CD4=408 and I am still undetectable and have been for over 2 years now thanks to my meds. They include the following meds: Norvir,Zerit,Reyataz,Truvada and Fuzeon. I am originally from Grundy, Virginia after graduating high school I joined the U.S. Navy for 4 years where I served in the Gulf War for over a year. I then moved to Charlotte, NC in 1995 where I lived for 8 years. That is where I contrated the HIV virus. My first year with HIV was really bad, I had toxo, CMV retinitis, I lost from 220 down to 127 in 8 months at that time my CD4 count was 27 and my VL was 888,000. When I was first diagnosed with HIV they tried me on several medications with knowing I was allergic to AZT, therefor the meds didn't work at first. After moving to Tennessee in 2003, I went to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where the doctor did a genotype to see what I was allergic to, after that he put me the cocktail I am currently on, and my numbers Improved and My life also improved greatly. Therefor living with HIV can be coped with. I would like to be a HIV councilor and help those that are un-educated about the virus and how to life with it. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Your New Friend,
Brad :)
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Matty the Damned on October 02, 2006, 08:56:20 pm: Welcome Brad!

Congratulations on the numbers and I'm glad you found your way to us. Also it's nice to have a whiff of something nautical in the air. ;)

MtD
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Cheetara74 on October 02, 2006, 09:01:41 pm: Brad,
Thanks for sharing your story with us. I'm glad to hear you're doing much better. I have been poz myself since 1995. If counseling is what you want to do then go for it! Good luck. ;D
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 02, 2006, 09:06:33 pm: Thanks! Matty and Cheetara for welcoming me to the family, I am sure everyone will see a lot of me now....
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Eldon on October 02, 2006, 09:12:09 pm: Hello Brad, it is Eldon.

I love your introduction. It is very sincere and honest. It is unfortunate that you have tested HIV positive. However, the good news is that you DO now know and you are doing something about it. Your Labs made an excellent rebound from where you started from.

I wish to extend a warm WELCOME to you here in the forums. As you have seen there is a lot of information, encouragement, communication, support, some cries, some laughter, and many of your questions relating to HIV/AIDS answered.

Please DO feel free to come and interact on the forum. There are people listening and answering as well. If you have not already, take a moment to read through our lessons section which is located on the upper left hand corner of the page. There is a lot of information at your disposal here.

Again, Welcome! and make the BEST of each Day!
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Life on October 02, 2006, 09:16:10 pm: Brad welcome to the family.. Sit back, relax, put your feet up.. You have found a pretty kewl home. Thanks for allow us a glimpse of how you got here. It really helps us all bind together. I applaud your desire to educate and council. My hat is off to you!

Love
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Matty the Damned on October 02, 2006, 09:30:15 pm: My hat is off to you!

You say that to every sailor you meet, Esme. ;)

MtD
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Longislander on October 02, 2006, 10:25:47 pm: Hi Brad, welcome! Jerry must have led you here. You sound like a great person for him to know. Hope things go smoothly!

Paul
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Jerry71 on October 02, 2006, 11:22:45 pm: Yeah just trying to invite more to the family here on AIDSMEDS. Since we are one big happy family. Good going there Brad for coming to this site you will have a great time here on the forums.
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Moffie65 on October 03, 2006, 06:59:18 am: Brad,

Welcome to the family, and am so glad you found us.

Please be gentle with Jerry, he is very sweet and just a tad bit sensitive. Poor boy cries at the drop of a pin, but then many of us here are able to relate also, so all I ask is that you be gentle with him..

Welcome, and I hope you enjoy yourself here.

In Love and Support.
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: angels4kelly on October 03, 2006, 07:26:43 am: Welcome Brad ;D
I think it's a wonderful thing that you want to work with other people with HIV, counceling them and helping them to better understand things!

I think you'll make a great addition to our family.

Peace,
Kelly
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g142/angels4kelly/wel_ani3Tay.gif)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g142/angels4kelly/ATT233718.jpg)
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Nadine on October 03, 2006, 07:32:46 am: Brad,

Welcome to the family. I am so gald you found your way here.

I'm happy to hear that your doing so well. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

((HUGS))
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: david25luvit on October 03, 2006, 07:55:31 am: Hey Brad.........

Welcome to the family! Thanx for sharing your resume'/ personal story....
and I wish you luck/ Godspeed on counseling....Heaven knows there are many
who could benefit from your experiences and your positive attitude. As a new
member I encourage you to sit back and take a slow trip thru forum land and
get to know others here....HIV affects us all differently....and after only three
years....your journey with HIV has just begun.

WELCOME GOOD BUDDY :-*
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: siongi on October 03, 2006, 08:52:28 am: It is great to have you around Brad and hope most of us will benefit from your experience. You sound very positive which is lovely and think that is the attitude most of us require as we live with HIV.I have been here for over a year now and have found lots of very helpful dudes who have in one way or another helped me shape up to this new reality.

I wish you well and am happy for your current count.

Cheers.

William
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: cmhjeff on October 03, 2006, 09:00:07 am: Hi Brad, what a great introduction! Glad to hear you are doing so good these days.

Welcome!

Take Care!

Jeff
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Iggy on October 03, 2006, 09:18:17 am: .
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Teresa on October 03, 2006, 09:24:30 am: Brad,

WELCOME!

Glad you are here and looking forward to hearing more about you.

Hugs
Teresa
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Regretsafew on October 03, 2006, 10:12:00 am: Hey Brad,

Thank you for being here for us. I'm a newbie only tested pos 2 months ago. I'm still trying to cope with it all.

Thanks again,

Joey
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Jerry71 on October 03, 2006, 03:21:01 pm: Brad had to go and work with his dad today and he wanted me too tell you all thanks for the welcome he has received on the forums. He is such a nice guy and was born in the same area as me. I can say one thing there is someone out there for us all. :-*
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: poobear on October 03, 2006, 06:31:18 pm: Wecome Brad,
Thank you for such an informative introduction to yourself. Hope to hear more from you, and congrats on such good numbers. Rachel
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 03, 2006, 08:11:26 pm: Hey Guys,
I am sorry I was busy today helping my dad. Thank you Jerry for thanking everyone for me. You all have made me feel so welcome here. THANKS!!!!!!!
Joey, I know it is such a scary thing to just find out your HIV+. However just please keep in mind that its not the end of the world. Living with HIV now days is alot different then it was for them with it in the past. They have came so far with research and they keep going further everyday. Also remember you are not alone in this, we are all here for you and we stick together. We are one family, If you need someone to talk to we are always here for you.
Jerry, you hit the nail on the head there is someone for everyone, good things come to those who wait. I really look forward to living with you and sharing my future with you if thats where it goes.... :)
Well I just wanted to say thanks again myself to everyone.
Huggs and Kisses,
Brad
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: aztecan on October 03, 2006, 10:24:52 pm: Hey Brad,

Welcome to the famly, glad you found us. Sounds like you've already had quite a history and will have much to share with the rest of us.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: cph9680 on October 03, 2006, 10:35:34 pm: Hey Brad ~ Welcome aboard ;D
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: wellington on October 03, 2006, 11:08:48 pm: Welcome aboard, Brad. I cannot help but think about how you look in your sailor's uniform ;) If you feel any urge to solidify my imigination, feel at liberty!
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Just John on October 04, 2006, 05:22:06 pm: Hiya Sailorboy, I was going to post a funny picture as a sort of welcome but I couldn't get it to work. :-[

John

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 04, 2006, 06:34:58 pm: Thats cool John thanks for the welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Christine on October 04, 2006, 06:49:16 pm: Hi Brad!
Welcome!

Christine
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Quarter Horse on October 04, 2006, 10:15:00 pm: Brad,
Welcome!! Hope to see you both soon.

Brian
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 04, 2006, 11:21:18 pm: Thanks Brian I would like to see you and meet you soon to... Jerry said you was a nice guy... :)
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: ndrew on October 05, 2006, 12:13:27 am: Hey Brad,

Wishin' u an exuberant welcome!

Kindest,
Drew
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: Sky on October 05, 2006, 12:24:33 am: Welcome Brad! Glad you found your way to us :)
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 05, 2006, 12:37:40 pm: Thank you!!!! Drew and Sky for the welcome... I really like this forum... Everyone is friendly and I have enjoyed being a part of this forum.....
Later, Brad :)
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: allopathicholistic on October 05, 2006, 12:48:34 pm: (http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/aycm8620/welco2.gif)
great to hear that you're undetectable Brad KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ;D
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 05, 2006, 05:22:44 pm: thank you! it has been a long road getting to this point but I plan on staying undetected if I have anything to do with it....allopathicholistic
Brad :)
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: GSOgymrat on October 05, 2006, 05:30:06 pm: Welcome to the forum. I'm very glad to hear you made it through such a bad patch and are doing better.
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 05, 2006, 05:36:24 pm: :) Thank you GSOgymrat,
Yes it was ruff at first but I never gave up, we must never give up the fight against HIV, like I say I may have HIV, but HIV don't have me. Thanks for the welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Brad
Title: Re: Hello Forum Members
Post by: sailorboi8993 on October 09, 2006, 02:18:16 pm: Hi everyone,
Sorry I was not in for a while I went out of town to visit family. I hope everyone is doing OK. Things here are great.... :) I love the weather today, it's nice and sunny. Days like this makes me feel better.... Well just wanted to say hello to everyone..... Take care and God Bless!!!!!!!! ;)
Huggs and Kisses,
Brad