#2. Day 79: Recap

Hello,

So it's been 79 days since I was diagnosed to be HIV+. It was a rollercoaster ride, and I would say time flies quite fast.

Below is a quick summary of the highlights of the past 79 days of my HIV'd life:

DAY 1:

December 09, 2012

I was confined at the hospital for the 5th day this date, and I was earlier diagnosed to have Pneumonia. 

I was given the proper pneumonia course of treatment, and then in the afternoon my pulmonologist referred me to the Infectious Diseases Specialist. To cut the long story short, I was advised to take an HIV test, and wow, the results were quite immediate. After an hour, I was confirmed positive.

I had to tell mom, dad, brother and sister. We also told some relatives. They cried a little, asked a few questions, but we are one resilient flock, we knew we would be able to do something about the disease, just as the Infectious Diseases Specialist briefed us. My brother who happens to be a nurse is quite knowledgeable about HIV already. In other words, more than drama and panic, our reactions were more proactive and optimistic.

DAY 7:

December 15, 2012

I was discharged from the hospital. At this time, we were still anxiously waiting for the confirmatory test. In the mean time, the main objective was to keep me as healthy as possible, this included eating healthy, keeping things ultra clean, etc.

The succeeding days felt very normal, honestly. I didn't feel like i was ill. At home, it was normal, except that everyone seemed so much warmer than ever, including my dad who, for the longest time, never really showed his emotions to us. We always eat together now, hug, say I love you's and good nights.

I thought to myself: 

"It's never too late."

DAY 14:

December 22, 2012

I came out about my status to one of my best friends who came over to spend the weekend at my place. She took it lightly, and being the happy people we are we just laughed it off. But the next day I woke up and she was crying. Perhaps it was just that morning she realized the gravity of the confession, and kept trying to trace back who potentially infected me.

I told her:

"Wala nang point na alamin kung saan galing ito. Wala nang point na manisi pa if ever man na malaman pa natin. Ultimately, ako ang may kasalanan nito, and I brought this upon myself. At dahil ako ang may kasalanan, humingi na ako ng tawad sa sarili ko at pinatawad ko na ang sarili ko. That's why wala akong dinadalang burden na ganoon kabigat. 

Just as we have been taught to forgive others, we must also learn to forgive ourselves."

DAY 18:

December 26, 2012

My boyfriend for three years had himself tested.

DAY 27:

January 04, 2013

Froy (bf) tested negative.

I felt so liberated, thankful and ecstatic. I'm sure he is surely negative because the last intimate contact we had was about 8 months ago, more than enough for the window period of the virus. Besides, we always did it safe.

Whew!

DAY 32:

January 09, 2013

By this time, the confirmatory result has already arrived. Hurray! It's confirmed! So we planned to go to RITM on January 14 to begin the treatment. 

It was a usual day; I drove to the mall earlier to buy a videogame console after visiting the Infectious Disease Specialist. Dr. P said I could be put back on Cotrimoxazole as part of the PCP treatment. All my medications had to be stopped for a week as my liver was going hepatitic due to all the medicines I had been taking since and after I got discharged from the hospital. Now that my liver is back to normal, I can be put back on medications. Great!

So at night, I took the prescribed dosage of Cotrimoxazole and after a few hours, I felt stinging itchy sensations all over my body. they subsided after some time, but soon i started chilling.

My temperature was 39.8C.

I was rushed to the hospital.

DAY 33:

January 10, 2013

I don't really remember what was happening. My vision was blurring, and all I could remember was the nurse saying that my temperature was 40.5C. My sister said I was the hottest thing alive she ever came contact with. Literally! :)

The same day, my parents agreed, upon the suggestion of Dr. P, that I be transferred to RITM so that the HIV specialists can attend to my case properly. And soon I found myself inside the ambulance (I live in the south). It was such an experience! Not everyone has an ambulance experience!

DAY 34:

January 11, 2013

After a few hundred pricks and blood extractions, I was declared free of other STD's. :-) :-) :-)

Thank God!

But my CD4 count was 25.

I guess I'm lucky to be alive...but this wasn't the highlight of this day. This was the first time I felt so scared that I cried and that I was able to hug my dad and hold his hands. Something we've never done before as far as I could remember.

It was magical. I probably wouldn't trade that moment for any amount of CD4.

Prophylaxis began on this day: Isoniazid, Azithromycin, Cotrimoxazole

DAY 36:

January 13, 2013

I was discharged and the final diagnosis was that some form of a virus hit me. It could happen to anyone actually, but I'm still lucky that's all that hit me.

My stay at RITM exceeded my expectations (except for the facilities, but hey, I can't complain!) The doctors were so nice and the nurses as well. So before I left, I filled out the survey form and thanked them all.

DAY 37:

January 14, 2013

I went back to RITM with my brother and sister to get the ARV's. I skipped the usual process for newbies since I had been confined already previously and all my lab tests had been performed already. We came quite early so my sister and I stayed at the lower ARG.

Ang ingay! There was a bunch of gay guys there clowning around and my sister and I were trying hard not laugh.

Masaya naman pala dito. This will be my second home, and again, I'm lucky because the process is not perfect, but is quite efficient. I've read so many horror stories about other hubs and I am so happy that RITM is nowhere like those I've read.

Gotta love this place. :)

On this night, I took my first ARV- Lamivudine/Zidovudine (Nevirapine was to be taken only in the morning at this time). I said a little prayer of thanks and made a pact with the ulterior being to keep my commitment with my medications for the rest of my life.

DAY 48:

January 25, 2013

First refill came, and now I am ready for my double dose of the Nevirapine (after 3 days), which is notorious to induce rashes.

Again, I am lucky. I did not have any rashes. Although the trial period is far from over (3months), it is more of a yes that I am not allergic to it.

Also on the same day, I went to the Asian Hospital to have my eyes checked. My HIV doctor, Dr. K said that very immunocompromised people like me can develop CMV in the eye. 

Again, fortunately, after the fundoscopy, I have very healthy eyes despite a very low CD4 count.

DAY 54:

January 31, 2013

I formally resigned from work. I told my boss about the real deal, and he gave me the warmest hug. He said they want me back, and that I could come back anytime when I'm already well. But I told him I just might consider getting hands on with the family business or just look for opportunities in the South.

DAY 62:

February 08, 2013

I had my second refill and my blood test. Everything was normal and I couldn't believe it! We were all happy!

It was also on this day that I saw an old ex lover/friend whom I broke up with some 8 years ago. We didn't meet by accident, it was a planned meet up. And I couldn't believe that we both have HIV now. He used to be a professional traveller based in the middle east, but he was forced to resign due to his status. Oh well. I've always regretted letting him go. He was a very good catch. But all's been done, we're both happy with our negative partners now, and that's what's important- we're both happy and content.

DAY 79

February 25, 2013

I write this blog out of boredom and to search for some online and possible offline buddies who also have HIV, or just about anyone who shares the same interests as mine.

I promise to update this blog for as long as I could. It's a commitment am making with you, whoever you are :) Just like my commitment to take my ARV's forever.

Cheers!

Eu