I can't believe it's been a year

[DanMo]

It was a year ago today that I innocently went in for a routine HIV test, totally expecting to receive a negative result just like all the other times before.

I'll never forget 11 FEB 2011. Even though I would go on to take two more tests to confirm my HIV status, I consider that date the day I found out I was positive.

I remember reading several threads back then about people's first year being positive and I remember thinking how far away a year seemed, how could I ever "get used" to be being HIV positive? And now it's completely the opposite! I can't believe how quickly a year's gone by!

I would like to take this opportunity and thank everyone on this forum that has helped me along the way over this past year, publicly and privately: Thank you all!

[Cojo]

And don't forget that YOU have helped many of us as well Dan. You were one of the first ones to support me in May 2011 when I found out just like you did without expectation.
So after a year at this Dan, do you have a few revelations or insights to share to keep us all inspired?

[DanMo]

And don't forget that YOU have helped many of us as well Dan. You were one of the first ones to support me in May 2011 when I found out just like you did without expectation.
So after a year at this Dan, do you have a few revelations or insights to share to keep us all inspired?

I'm glad to have been of help Cojo! 

Revelations? Insights? I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing! LOL. At times, I am still shocked to realize that I'm HIV positive, like it hasn't really sunken in yet. Those occasions are few. I guess the only advice I can give applies to those just finding out themselves that they are positive: take a deep breath... take it one day at a time, listen to your doctor, get support (be it from friends, family, or strangers on an online forum), the first year will seem very hectic, but it'll be over soon in no time.

[spanishdude33]

Hi!
For me it has been a whole one year too, tested positive 11 feb 2011, the worst day of my life, where I was expecting a negative result as always but this time the word positive turned out to be the most negative thing ever. After a couple of months of being the shadow of what I had been I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel and now Im enjoying my life as much as I can. I have a better and closest relationship with my parents, sisters and friends, I travel as much as I can and try to be happy, but I can't lie and this issue is in my head everyday since that date and sometimes I feel so unlucky...Why me?  Time flies and in this case this years has gone by very fast for me too, enjoy every minute I think that's what counts. Good luck friend

[sevillano]

I can agree with everything above mentioned and written!

10.02.2011 was the day when a young (probably just a year or two older than me) female doc looked at me and asked me to sit down, her eyes were kinda watery, lost and full of fear! She nodded with her head and said "hm, results are suspicious", I rose my head and looked at a friend of mine who was there with me, she shrugged with her shoulders and in that moment another (senior) doc just appeared there, he asked my friend why she was there, she told him that she is a good friend of mine then he anxiously asked "intimate friend", she said no. Docs talked between themselves something about test of 3rd and 4Th generation (at that moment I did not have a clue what they were talking about) and I was just there sitting and waiting to get any further notice. I asked them to explain me what exactly had happened, so I got the answer and heard it for the first time, mister, you are most probably HIV+, your first preliminary tests were positive (test of 4th generation), you should be back tomorrow to take you some more blood samples and to retest you. Senior doc disappeared like he had appeared. Female doc looked at me and said me not to panic, things today are not as bad as I may think. She added, tomorrow you gonna meet a great doc, young and understanding guy, you gonna meet him every 3 months, she called him and told him I was gonna come to meet him next day at noon. We left. Passed through the corridor where others were waiting to get their results (all the rests were negative, coz senior doc asked the young doc, if I were the only one in that week, she said yes). I was pale, my friend gave me her hand and we went speechlessly towards my car. We sat in the car and I put my head on drive wheel and asked her "and now? how am I gonna live now?". She answered me "you will be fine". I drove her back to her work to let them know she won't be back that day. We went to her place and talked. Talked. No crying. No panic. No drama. I called my best gay friend and told him (he had tested positive a month earlier) what had happened. In the afternoon I went to his house. He hugged me. We went for a dinner, but all I ate that evening was just an awesome tomato soup. Around 23h I came back home and took some sleeping pills. Next day I woke up with my first thought "you are fucking HIV+". So It happened next day, the day after etc. But not for more than a month. Life has not changed much. I cope with my new "status" pretty well, mainly because I made everything what was needed to understand this little bug which is slowly but effectively eating us and because I found some great advices from you guys! Really wanna thank everybody! I even made some friends here with whom I spend at least 15€/month for texting ... hey spacebar or whatever your nick is

[spacebarsux]

Congrats on completing a year Dan. Like others have said, you've helped others too. 

Congrats Sevillano. Our eccentric banter always amuses me.   

And congrats to you too Spanish Dude!

We're all part of the same club diagnosed around the same time.

Time for a Group Hug! 

[DanMo]

Aww spacebar! Very cute message! XD

[tednlou2]

I'm glad to hear you've gotten through this year and are moving forward.  I can't believe it has already been over 3 years since I was dx'd.  While I do think I've come a long way, I still have far to go.  HIV still consumes my thinking when I'm not keeping busy.  Sometimes, it does seem like a bad dream and I wonder how this is possible.  And, I sometimes will be with a group of people who are negative and I'll think, "Why me?"  But, why not me?     

All the best for the next year and future years!

[spanishdude33]

A big hug for u all friends, and happy anniversary. Today I'm 1 hiv year old, proud and willing to celebrate my 50 th hiv positive anniversary and you with me as well!!!! 😉