Tested Poz (confirmed) today.

[kev]

On August 1st I tested positive on an ELISA test and today , August 15th The Western Blot was positive as well.I thought oral sex was low risk but for me it wasn't.
I seem to be handling this a lot better than I thought I would. I did have a few bouts of anxiety. I am a child of the  80's and  have lost some dear friends to AIDS and all those sad memories came flooding back to me these past two weeks. BUT,  I have a couple close, long time POZ friends and they have been very supportive and informative and I take comfort in seeing them lead happy, healthy and productive lives. Finding this site and all of you has been helping me to cope as well, as I read your post and words of encouragement. Well, I just wanted to say here I am and that I am comforted to know you are out there.

[bryan21]

well seeing how you are a "child of the 80's" I am sure you are well aware of HIV/AIDS then and how things are now. I on the other hand am so young that I didn't and still don't fully understnand so when i found out i thought i was dead and it was taken many months to relive that my life has changed but wont end.
sites like this do help and other poz people in your area are a great system i have many i talk to.
but the best strength and support that i have come to find is myself. i have come to find that i didnt need "other" people to tell me it was okay to have HIV i need to tell myself that.and after doing that "personal" process is when you will start to feel better about your self and relive that your the same person.
(and this is all my take on it. it may be very diff 4 you!)
 

[WillyWump]

Welcome KEv,

You have many friends here. I'm glad you found us (but im sorry there was a need to)

-Will

[numbersguy82]

Hey Kev,
Welcome to the forums. I too am new here as my rapid test was positive just a week ago and I await my confirmation. I'm sorry to hear about your status, but just know you aren't alone. Being new like me the best thing we can do is get educated. Have you found a doctor yet to run your resistance test and your full lab work for treatment options? I see mine next Monday and hope that we click. Anywho I hope you keep us posted and if you need anything this place seems full of helpful peeps

[kev]

Bryan21, I am glad to hear you are finding your strength from within. 
Will, thank you for your kind words.
Numbersguy82, I met with my case worker today, he was very nice and informative and we are setting up my doctor's appt. next week. I will post my numbers when I get them.
 

[phildinftlaudy]

Hi Kev:

Welcome to the Forum Family - glad you found us and that your are sharing.

Wherebouts are you located?  South Florida here.

I'm sure you will find lots of useful information on the site and can share your experiences and draw from the wealth of experience you will find from many of the members here.

Once again, welcome.
-Phil

[lforsyth]

My friends and I all knew we were positive back in the 80's. Youre not alone. I want sex as much as you do.  I 'm afraid of passing it on as you are of getting it.

Come to the next gathering.  Look at the Gathering site.  I know you will mee nice people there who will accept you and send you in the right path.

Love Larry

[bryan21]

My friends and I all knew we were positive back in the 80's. Youre not alone. I want sex as much as you do.  I 'm afraid of passing it on as you are of getting it.

Come to the next gathering.  Look at the Gathering site.  I know you will mee nice people there who will accept you and send you in the right path.

Love Larry

yea that is the only thing i am having trouble with is the whole sex thing.
not that im the one to have random sex i like it to have a lil meaning..
and what is this of the "gathering" where is this at?

[Joe K]

Well, I just wanted to say here I am and that I am comforted to know you are out there.

Hey Kev,

I'm sorry to hear you have tested poz, but glad you found your way here. There are many wonderful people here and however you think, we can help, you only need to ask. Like your friends, I have been poz for 26 years and the only goal I have ever had, is to live my life, to the best of my ability.

Welcome to the forums.

Joe

[Andy Velez]

Hi Kev,

Welcome. It's always kind of bittersweet to welcome someone here. But it is what it is so we're also glad you have found your way here.

You're always welcome here to ask any questions and to discuss anything that's on your mind. Having a good doctor who is watching your numbers is important as well as one whom you can work with in a partnership to keep you healthy. You don't have to know everything all at once, so keep breathing and take your time. You may find some of the lessons to be helpful as well. And of course you're already getting a sense of how helpful and responsive members can be here.

Gradually you're going to learn whatever you need to know to stay well and in finding out that although HIV is important your life is going to go on and be about a lot more than just your HIV status.

Again, welcome.

[jaguarpaw]

Hello kev. I'm Eric. I am also new to the forums. Sorry to hear the news. I have been positive for a year now. If I can be of any help dont hesitate to contact me. Know that you will be ok. Take care.

[kev]

Update: Today I went to the Health Dept. to meet with my "Care Team". I met with the head of the team who was very nice and compassionate.She was a festive, middle aged, hippiesque woman who has been doing this for decades. For the first time in my adult life, thanks to this economy, I am unemployed and without insurance. I went in armed with all my required paperwork to get me set up.She had me sign away my name to a few papers and asked me some questions about my health. Since my previous tests were all done anonymously I had to have them redone with my name this time. A rubenesque girl with multi colored hair (we'll call her the vampire lady), came in and escorted me to her office and drew my blood.Yep, first one came back +. She put the second one in a bag marked bio-hazard. I raised my eyebrow and she said" yes Hon, you are now a bio-hazard" and winked at me. and it was going off to be confirmed. I was taken back to the head, hippie lady and she told me I needed to go apply for a program the county ran , for us uninsured individuals, so I could set up my lab work and get in to see an HIV doc. She handed me a letter of introduction , I was given hugs by both of them and they sent me on my way.

At the county program office I waited with the other uninsured folks and two hours later I was taken in a room and asked more questions, filled out more paperwork, was put into the system and handed a "medi-card".

Hippie lady called me back later in the afternoon and told me I had an appt. to have my lab work done next week and I have an appt. with the HIV doc Sept 20th.

So, thats where it stands now. I will keep you all posted.