Hello to all of my faithful readers. Well a lot has happened since my last blog post so we have some catching up to do.
RENT
No I am not talking about what you do at the beginning of every month. I am talking about the wonderfully acclaimed Broadway musical turned movie. Most of the time those things just don't work. Usually they change too much but I must admit that I loved the movie as much as the musical. Although I couldn't sit all the way through it. I left towards the end. I will not spoil it for you but I just got totally emotional and started crying. Thinking about it that is the first time I have cried since I found out I was positive in January. I just thought that I didn't need to cry. When I found out I welcomed the news because we finally had an answer to what was wrong with me. Not that I was thrilled to learn I had HIV but at least we could move forward in treatment. When you think of the AIDS crisis and how long it has been going on and how people are still dying of the same illnesses that they were in the 80's and 90's is tragic. I would recommend it highly. Two thumbs way, way up.
SOCIAL SECURITY
I finally found an attorney that would take my case. YAH!!!! The downside is that my court day is in 18 MONTHS. Yeah I know...people who don't need disability can get on it and mooch off the government but people who honestly need it are screwed. I will stand before an Administrative Law Judge and finally get it though. Even if it does take forever. I was really depressed about that for two days. The length of time to get there that is.
NEUROLOGY
To be perfectly honest I don't know why I was sent to a neurologist for a blood clot in my arm but I was so I went to see him. Let me tell you he was really old and had bad fashion taste to say the least. He scratched the hell out of my arm with a safety pin and kept asking "Do you feel that?" Well I didn't feel it but I must admit seeing blood come out of my arm made me feel like I should have been in pain. As if the pin wasn't torture enough they took me in the back (wow this sounds like a seedy sex fantasy) and shocked the ever loving hell out of me. First they did it with this wand type thing in my arm and leg. Nothing like 65 volts of electricity running though your arm and leg. And as if the burn marks on my arm and leg wasn't enough they then put a needle into my arm electrified it and tried to make me do exercises while the damn thing was rubbing against my nerves. After my arm they decided to do my leg, neck and back. If I didn't have nerve damage then I sure as hell do now.
GENERAL MEDICINE
So I should shortly be referred to a surgeon to take this blood clot out of my arm. Yeah the same one that I have been bitching about since I started this blog in February. Of course by the time they get to it I probably will have a stroke but that is neither here nor there. I do have some good news to report. After 8 months, two new drug therapies, three pneumonias, 4 bronchitis episodes and numerous daily trips to the bathroom I am pleased to announce that my viral load is finally UNDETECTABLE. Under 50! My CD4 count is maintaining at the low 600 range. So certainly that is good news.
JARRED
We are doing quite splendedly. After Rent on the way home while I was blubbering away I opened up a little bit more and shared with him why I do some of the things I do. All of it was AIDS related psychological issues that I was having as well as some fears. No wedding day set yet...
HOLIDAYS
So Thanksgiving was really a busy day. We got to my mothers house around 9:30 in the morning. We hung out, watched Golden Girls Season 3, and then ate around 1:45. My aunt joined us for the festivities. Around 2:20 we left her house to head to his parents house. We ate AGAIN, and watched Star Wars Episode 3. Well actually they watched it while I curled up on the couch and tried to nap to get rid of my annoying headache.
WORK FORCE
I have been offered a very part time job doing counceling for persons 13-25 recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Exciting news. I know it will be great to help others who are going down the path that I have travelled. I will keep you updated on that as it develops.
THIS JUST IN...
For all of my readers who live in the Metro Atlanta area or want to look it up on the internet I will be writing an editorial for the Atlanta Journal Constitution entitled "The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS." When I have a definite date of publication I will post it here.
That is all I have for now.
James' words of wisdom: Preserverance is like a plunger. Most of the time it just sits there collecting dust. However, when you need it, it is there to push you through the tightest times.
