Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Amosboy on January 06, 2007, 12:00:24 pm
Title: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: Amosboy on January 06, 2007, 12:00:24 pm
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to say that today is my 21st anniversary of finding out that I was HIV positive. I used to shutter every year when this day would pop up, especially during the first few years. I remember wondering if I would see myself turn 25, 30, and now I'm 40...officially a dinosaur in Gayville :D I celebrate January 6th more than my birthday! January 6, 1986 was a paralyzing day for a 19 year old who was a Freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill. Twenty one years later...I'm still kicking and doing well.
To all those young people who are just now finding out...take note...you can survive this illness and grow old. It took me many years to adjust my anxiety on this day and turn it into a celebration but here I am.
Today is better than a birthday! I think I'll go roller skating on this beautiful day (secretly prays I won't break a leg) ;D
Brooks
And that's something to smile about...right now: (http://home.carolina.rr.com/music4mania/better than a birthday.jpg)
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: Tucsonwoody on January 06, 2007, 12:20:11 pm
Wow! ....no BIG WOW!!
I think about what someone my age (way past dinosaur and into fossil I guess) goes through when getting the news after living a pretty full life. In the day of effective treatments especially and then I try to imagine what it must of been like for a young person like you near the beginning of this epidemic, and I can't do it.
I just hope a lot of people read this thread, especially the younger ones who are just finding out. Thanks and congratulations.
Kevin
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: Boo Radley on January 06, 2007, 12:30:13 pm
Congratulations, Brooks, for demonstrating there is a (good) chance for life after HIV infection. Being 10 years your senior I was in my 30s when I tested (in December, 1989, during the Xmas break from work) and can't imagine how I would have dealt with it when I was your age. At 19 I was definitely on the young and naive side.
Happy Anniversary!! We should have gotten you a cake!
Boo
P.S. Of course you and I know the secret to longevity is having a houseful of cats but not everyone can handle that great responsibility. It takes a special breed to feed 10 greedy-guts every day... and let's ignore the cat litter issue.
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: bear60 on January 06, 2007, 12:32:07 pm
Brooks... You are an inspiration to all of us. Congratulations.
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: water duck on January 06, 2007, 12:54:51 pm
THIS IS SUCH A HEART WARMING READ !!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING , Brooks !!
Siang
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: allopathicholistic on January 06, 2007, 01:09:58 pm
take note...you can survive this illness and grow old.
oh and look like a million bucks too!!
i second "what Bear said"! 21 years wow
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: rick21007 on January 06, 2007, 01:28:38 pm
Brooks,I read your great post and the first thing I wondered is how you did it. Ah! Kissing!!!. That must be your secret. I think there ought to be a research study done. I volunteer for the test group as long as I get to choose my partner. This could be the break-thru we are all waiting for!! My CD4 count wouldn't be the only thing kissing would keep up either. ;D
Rick
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: rick21007 on January 06, 2007, 01:38:38 pm
[ I think about what someone my age (way past dinosaur and into fossil I guess) goes through when getting the news after living a pretty full life.
So Kevin---What's _your_ secret to surviving and looking so sexy while you are doing it?? (looking at your picture and your age ;D)
Rick
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: Tucsonwoody on January 06, 2007, 01:48:54 pm
Ah Rick -
What ya never heard of Photoshop? :) I just wish I looked as good at 40 as Brooks does and no amount of Photoshopping could have done that for me....no matter how hard I tried.
But my ego thanks you anyway!
Kevin (aka The Fossil...since Amosboy mistakenly thinks he's a dinosaur)
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: AlanBama on January 06, 2007, 02:05:08 pm
Well Happy Anniversary mister! You wear it well.....
hugs,
Alan :-*
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: ChrisNCoronado on January 06, 2007, 03:36:32 pm
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: poet on January 06, 2007, 05:11:17 pm
Something to smile about indeed, Brooks. Congratulations on the date, on having turned it around, in being an inspiration for those who are 19 now and being diagnosed. Of course you have agreed to be our poster boy, correct? So we get to see lower down, front, back sides, etc. also correct? :) Don't break a leg unless the sex was worth it. ;D Best, Win
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: Queen Tokelove on January 06, 2007, 05:19:00 pm
Happy Anniversary, my man. Life does go on no matter how you look at it. It's just how you choose to live it. It seems to me you have been doing well, obviously, you are still with us. And you will be for awhile! :-*
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: Longislander on January 07, 2007, 12:55:12 am
great stuff! Happy Anniversary stud! ;)
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: Strayboy74 on January 07, 2007, 01:00:27 am
(http://home.carolina.rr.com/music4mania/better than a birthday.jpg)
I'd like one of those for my birthday, too! :)
-joseph
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: lydgate on January 07, 2007, 01:03:07 am
Three cheers! Hip hip hurray!
You've made me actually look forward to August 23rd this year (it'll only be my second anniversary); last year, I shuttered myself in on that day, worried that I would fall apart. I didn't, but I did need the solace of much wine.
And, if it's not insensitive prying, I'd like to hear more about that 19-year-old in Chapel Hill and his college experience in the fear-filled days of the late-80s.
:-* Jay
Title: Re: Better Than A Birthday!!!
Post by: Eldon on January 08, 2007, 03:10:19 am