POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: netta on February 26, 2008, 11:44:12 am
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hello, nice to know this site exsist. I am a 20 plus years long term survivor. I am a 50 yr.old, african american woman, who was diagnosed first in 1990. I was in denial.I startd getting sick in 1994 when I had moved south from new york. Untill then I lived years in denial and ignorant about hiv and aids. my former fiance was an ex- herione addict back in 1985. We parted ways after he got very sick and had to move back home with family. Up untill that time we were living together, until he got sick and had to be hospitalized a number of times , he was even quarintined in the hospital and I was never told this man had aids, or sids as it was called at the time. He died 2 years later and it was rumored that he had aids. He also had a former girlfriend who had died of aids a year before. i will never know if he knew he had it and why I was not told, by him or his doctors since we were living together at the time. Iwas not even notified when he died so i didn't get to attend the funeral. Well here I am 20 + years later,( I stop counting years after 20) because I dont want ot fell like my number is coming up! lol. I have been blessed to raise two healthy children and become a grandmother. at the time of my final diagnosis in 1994, I prayed to god to live long enough to see my 13 and 15 year old kids graduate high school.i have been blessed to not only see them graduate high school, but to see my girl graduated college and my son move to a new york and have a son go to college and have a career. I have survived against all odds and have lost lots of friends to aids in the past two decades, I am still doing well and looking good. I have become an icon in the aids community and an activist over the years,fighting for education in our schools and communities, and helping my plwa anyway I can. I am still giving my testimony,after surviving a rough life, I am currently trying to write a book of my life. It is my pleasure to meet my new family here on this site!
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Hi Netta
Congratulations on being a Long Term Survivor. We are many and diverse.
AIDSMEDS is a good place to be.
I know you will find the Womens Forum a lively place too.
Have a good day..
Joel aka Bear
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thanks joel.
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Netta, welcome to these, our forums. :)
It's nice to hear your story. I am a grandmother also. I was diagnosed in 1989. Please join us in the 'Positive Women' forum. Especially the dating threads. It's not all about dating, it's about our daily lives, bitches, struggles etc.
Look forward to hearing more from you!
Luv,
Betty
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Hey Netta,
Welcome to the forums. I'm looking forward to hearing more from you.
We LTS folk have to stick together. ;)
I'm glad you've joined in.
HUGS,
Mark
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Welcome to the forum!
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Welcome, Netta.
We LTS folk have to stick together.
I hope to join that club someday.
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Welcome, Netta.
I have been poz since early 90's, meds started in 94. I am glad you found this forum. I think you will enjoy it.
Take care, Snow
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Hey Netta,
Glad you joined us, honey and we're happy to have you. We have some of the greatest people here, and quite a few LTS amongst us.
Looking forward to hearing more from you
hugs,
Alan
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Hello Netta,
Welcome to the forums !! Glad to have you with us....
All the best----Ray
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Welcome Netta!
I'm glad you found us!
big hugs,
Sharkie
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HI, Netta How are you doing?
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:o :-*thanks to you all, now, I am interested in going to the gathering they are having in Mexico in August.but I know I can't afford it, living off disability ($6,000 a year) If there is any help available, someone please let me know. I really want to go and meet new friends and I have never been to Mexico.
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I am fine, hugs and kisses to you alll.
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Hey Netta. Check out this link, which is in one of the forums here:
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=19224.0 (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=19224.0)
It might be of some help to you.
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Hi Netta. Welcome.
I found your post an outstanding read....you raised kids and are now a granny. Amazing huh?
I am thinking of your early days of diagnosis. Indeed, they were hard years which you struggled through and endured...by sheer willfulness.
Mike
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Netta,
A huge hug to you! Welcome to the forums. I hope you like it here as much as I do!
Looking forward to hearing more about you and those two soon-to-graduate kids!
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Hi and welcome to our forum..
I am also a long time survivor..My lover had aids and didn't tell me.. I found out when my
lover was in the hospital......Why didn't she share that with me is still a mystery..she knew this for 2 yrs.. >:(
This was back in 85, that she knew she had it...After the hospital visit I had myself checked and of course I was hiv poz as well...
I was in denial for 16 yrs..then the shit hit the fan ...I felt weak tired and started to get rashes..so I went in and my tcells were down to 27... :(
That's when I finally took meds..........I waited as long as possible, because I saw the side effects of azt and what it did to her and many other friends at that time, and I didn't like the outcome...............It was worth the wait...
Now we have cocktails that keeps us going...........Thank god.....
Hopefully in the future they will be able to cure this dreaded disease, just dont think it
will be in my lifetime, but if it is..then I have one big major relief off my mind, body and soul...
Time will tell.........
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Welcome Netta,
I am also a long term survivor in my 22nd year, and also 10 years with a non-detectable viral load as of this month. My doctor checked my chart and told me with great fanfare the other day. He is such a sweet man. I am so grateful.
I am also very proud of you and how you have survived and raised your children. I sense that you are a fantastic person and mother. Bless you.
Hugs!!
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Today is my 50th birthday, glad to be alive!!11
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I said it in our women's forum and I'll say it again-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NETTA!
Make sure you celebrate all those 50 year milestones! :)
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Happy birthday to you Netta -- may you have joy.
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Happy Birthday, Netta! I hope you're out kicking up your heels tonight! :D
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Today is my 50th birthday, glad to be alive!!11
Happy belated birthday to you Netta !!
All the best-----Ray
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Hey Netta,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Here's a toast to many, many more! ;D ;D ;D
Now, I don't know if you are aware of the tradition here, but I am the official purveyor of the Birthday Swats! ™
So, let's see, that would be 50 Birthday Swats, plus one to grow on! :o :o :o :o :o
HUGS,
Mark
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Happy Belated Birthday Wishes Netta