anyone in salt lake city?

[bryonut]

looking for others in salt lake city utah to get to know. Its kind of tough being the only guy in my circle of friends who is poz. anyone? anyone?

[bryonut]

  *sob* i am so alone..

[Bucko]

I'm sorry you're so isolated. Hopefully these boards can be a place for greater socialization as well as support.

There's little I can do from my desk in Ft Lauderdale-

Brent
(Who recognizes both the strengths and weaknesses of the internet)

[bryonut]

Hey Brent,

thanks for the reply. It has been nice to chat with others on these boards. Its good to know there are others who feel as crappy as i do some days and like superman the days i don't. I'm still pretty new to all this but I'm gettin by.

[allopathicholistic]

*sob* i am so alone..

Well, now you have us. In my very quiet circle of friends (very quiet meaning compared to the 90's and 2000 and we're not nearly as close as before, but we still keep in touch), I'm one of only 2 poz guys, the other 3 are HIV negative. So yeah, isolation can be tough. The other poz guy isn't on meds yet and might not even have to go on meds if he's a LTNP or elite controller,  since he's going strong med-free 5 or 6 years I think. So that's a disconnect even though we have HIV in common. Sigh. But the biggest general disconnect with this old group started around 2002 for me because  these guys still love to go bar hopping and they smoke cigs, etc., i.e., stuff they were doing 10 years ago LOL. Anyway, glad you found this site. You're gonna luv learning and laughing and all that

[bryonut]

see, this is a good place. I guess one of the toughest things i deal with is that my partner of 11 years is negative and really has a hard time comprehending what life is like with HIV. Hes incredibly supportive and has been there for every blood draw, every minute i was hospitalized, held my hand for hours in the ICU, comforted me when my meds made me sicker than a dog. I couldn't ask for anyone better. Its just puzzling that with someone so great I am still lonely. Its still new and I'm sure it will get better and better as time goes by. I'm grateful for people like you all and I look forward to the laughs, tears, learning, etc. 

[JohnOso]

Bryon (i'm going out on a limb here and guessing that's your name, lol),

Glad to see you made it here, boss.  I was glancing thru the Living With forum and happened to see your posts and your pic (woof!).  I just found out I was poz a little over a year ago after a bout with pneumonia.  My partner of 14 years is negative, and there are many days where I just feel overwhelmed and alone, even though he is physically present and supportive.

You had me beat on the CD4 count -- mine was down to 13, when I did the Dirty Deed and finally got tested.

I haven't quite come to terms with this whole ordeal yet, but you are definitely NOT alone in all of this.  There are heaps of wonderful people on this board (of course I'm kinda partial to the Bear contingent  )  It's a pretty cool place to hang around 

Big furry hugs to ya man!

John

[bryonut]

hey John,

yes, you are correct my name is Bryon. Good call. LOL. Sounds like we have much in common in the way we came to join the club.

I think what i hate most is that i didnt even get the chance to be told i was positive and work up to being told my diagnosis was AIDS. Im not sure if that would have been easier to swallow or not. Some days i think Im ok others i just break down. It gets easier over time from what i hear.. and i guess that is true.

I appreciate the hug.. especially from a woofy bear such as yourself. heh heh

I have enjoyed my visit thus far and plan on staying for a while.

hope we chat again soon!
hugs
bryon

[thunter34]

Hey, Bryon!

Glad you are here.  I had the same experience as well...no adjustment time to get used to HIV before the big A diagnosis. 

Not in Salt Lake, but travelled through there in passing.  It was amazingly beautiful to me. 

[JohnOso]

Anytime, Bryon.

Yes, I often wondered if it was just for the best that I didn't really have a choice to start on medicine.  The doctor said, "okay...here are the choices you have....pills once a day or twice a day."  I think I would have just stressed out more thinking, "Is this the doctors appointment where i'll have to start taking this crap?"

I will say, to his credit, my doctor has never once uttered the  dreaded "A"- word, even with such a six-foot under CD4 count.   I have, many times, but he doesn't seem to be focused on that, which I appreciate.

Take care,
John

[bryonut]

thanks so much for the welcome thunter.. im glad to be here. it feels comfortable.

[bryonut]

I know what you mean John, my doctor has never used the A word with me. i was lucky enough to have the state department of health contact me by phone 2 days after being released from the hospital with PCP. She didnt seem to have a problem dropping that bomb on me. It crushed me. My doctor was the one who pulled me out of that mess. She is my hero.. i have never had a doctor who i look forward to seeing every month.

[blondbeauty]

Sea Monkeys (Artemia Salina) are original from Utah!

[attachment deleted by admin]

[bryonut]

blondbeauty Sea Monkeys are not from Utah, they are from a magical Sea Monkey kingdom. You may reference ancient texts from the early 1980s such as Archie comics, Richie Rich and select Marvel comics.

I appreciate your attempt to brighten my day...

regards
bryon
(the worlds lonliest bear)

[allopathicholistic]

see, this is a good place. I guess one of the toughest things i deal with is that my partner of 11 years is negative and really has a hard time comprehending what life is like with HIV. Hes incredibly supportive and has been there for every blood draw, every minute i was hospitalized, held my hand for hours in the ICU, comforted me when my meds made me sicker than a dog. I couldn't ask for anyone better. Its just puzzling that with someone so great I am still lonely. Its still new and I'm sure it will get better and better as time goes by. I'm grateful for people like you all and I look forward to the laughs, tears, learning, etc. 

Yeah, I'm in a poz-neg "relationship" too ...I really don't think he'll ever fully understand all the details within the details of life as a poz person. For me, I say it's just the way it is and accept it. There are a lot of us here, even more than poz-poz I think!