Re:just tested positive

[Guest guest]

Hi Christ,

I'm sorry to hear that you have tested HIV+, but just know that it does not have

to be a " death sentence " . I have lived with HIV for 21 years now, am

asymptomatic and strangly am in better overall physical health than many of my

HIV- friends. Know that you are not alone, and that there are a great many

resources to help you medically, emotionally, and financially.

Here's some of my experience, strength and hope...

The process to " the solution " is first to get awareness/education, then get into

acceptance (as opposed to denial) about whatever it is your now have awareness

of. Then, once you are in acceptance, you can work on a solution.

First and foremost, I would recommend that you educate yourself about what to do

next medically. There are many great resources on the web. I happen to like

" thebody.com " as a good starting place.

Find your local HIV resource coordination agency and register to become a

client. There are a lot of good agencies that can help you work your way

through the maze of what to do next. You may not qualify for, or need financial

assistance at this time. But, it's good get registered with the agency just in

case.

Find a friend who is HIV+ who may have experience getting through the maze.

This person should be of a positive " I'm going to outlive this bug " attitude.

Kind of like me! :-) Feel free to email me directly if you have additional

questions or comments.

Although I am not a doctor or a nurse, I would suggest that you get a

confirmation HIV test, and if that is positive, then get a " Viral Load " test.

Depending upon the outcome of those two tests, you then have more information

about what to do next. After that, if you are indicated for treatment or fall

into the " No specific treatment recommendation " category and are considering

treatment, then get a " phenotype " to determine what strain of the bug you have

and what medications could be effective. Don't just take meds without knowing

if they will work. The side effects can be a buzzkill.

Consider going to a professional counselor and/or HIV support group to share

your feelings and learn from what others may be doing right (and wrong).

That's my $0.02. I hope some of what I have had to share has value for you.

Although I would wish HIV on nobody, and my heart sinks whenever I hear of

another person becoming infected, you can turn this event into many great

blessings for your life. The most important thing that HIV has done for me, is

to open my eyes to living life in the moment and to cherish every day I get a

" trip to the buffet of life " . Not every day has the dishes I even like, but

some days the trip to the buffet is exquisite.

I was told that I was supposed to be dead 20 years ago. I've gotten an awful

lot of extra trips to the buffet in that time. Never give up!

Savor yours!

Aloha

and Be Well!

Alan

E. Yue, PMP, CISSP, CHSS, IAM/IEM

President

PreNetSys,

Inc.

Fort

Lauderdale / Honolulu

Voice

Fax

ayue@...

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