HIV Support Group
HIV (also known as human immunodeficiency virus, and formerly known as HTLV-III and lymphadenopathy-associated virus) is a retrovirus that primarily infects vital components of the human immune system which can lead the syndrome known as AIDS. Many of the problems faced by people infected with HIV result from failure of the immune system to protect from opportunistic...
Hi everyone. I'm new here and trying to learn my way through this website.
I'm hearbroken. I have just learned that my beautiful younger sister was diagnosed as HIV Positive on 11/2/07. I have finally quit crying (as of now anyway) and am at the point of, w at do I do now?
She has asked me if I have any questions, but honestly my grief is such that I just can't get past the only question in my head, WHY? And I know I can't ask her that because there's no answer to that question.
What do I do now? My God, I never in my life thought someone I loved would ever be diagnosed. I don't know what to do but cry, but I know crying isn't going to do any good. I've hugged her & I told her I love her, but what else can I do? How do I get past this crying stage?
What do I need to know to help her deal with this...or my family? Do I act as if nothing has changed? How do you get past this feeling of, oh, God, how long before it's AIDS? Please, somebody, anybody help me. My whole world has changed in a single moment and I dont know how to move on. I feel so alone now and don't know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks to anyone who reads this and can help. I know I'm not alone in going through this, but it sure feels that way right now.
I'm hearbroken. I have just learned that my beautiful younger sister was diagnosed as HIV Positive on 11/2/07. I have finally quit crying (as of now anyway) and am at the point of, w at do I do now?
She has asked me if I have any questions, but honestly my grief is such that I just can't get past the only question in my head, WHY? And I know I can't ask her that because there's no answer to that question.
What do I do now? My God, I never in my life thought someone I loved would ever be diagnosed. I don't know what to do but cry, but I know crying isn't going to do any good. I've hugged her & I told her I love her, but what else can I do? How do I get past this crying stage?
What do I need to know to help her deal with this...or my family? Do I act as if nothing has changed? How do you get past this feeling of, oh, God, how long before it's AIDS? Please, somebody, anybody help me. My whole world has changed in a single moment and I dont know how to move on. I feel so alone now and don't know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks to anyone who reads this and can help. I know I'm not alone in going through this, but it sure feels that way right now.
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
The best thing you can do for your sister is to reach out like you are now, and BEcome educated about HIV. Do not spend a lot of time reading about what could happen, but rather read about people who are winning the battle with HIV. Medications and/or natural supplements that may benefit her. Encouraging things.
Try to help minimize her stress, especially during the early stages of BEing newly diagnosed. Encourage her to talk about it and BE there to listen and hug her.
HIV treatments have come a long way since I was first diagnosed in 1996. I live in a rural town in WI and did not know one single person with HIV. It was very lonely and thats why I reached out on the Internet and started to educate myself and learn from others who have been there before me. Most of the support I have received has been in the form of email and it made all the difference in the World.
HIV does not have to BE a death sentence. I have been infected for at least 20 years and have managed to keep myself "healthy" using herbs, vitamins, healthy diet, prayer, breath work and minimizing stress. I have recently added Low dose Naltrexone (LDN) to my arsenal. I have no reason to BElieve I cannot continue living healthy and happy with my current treatment choices.
The crying stage will lessen with time. It's an important part of healing so let the tears flow. But please, please, please DO NOT FOCUS ON THE NEGATIVE. LIFE is possible and HIV+ does not have to equal AIDS.
Please continue to share and invite your sister to the board. We all have stories of triumph we can share and certainly can relate to what she is going through.
BE Gentle with yourself and with your sister. Have Faith and Always Maintain HOPE.
BE WELL.
I will let my sister know about this website, because she tries so hard to be so strong that a lot of times she really doesn't open to me about how she's really feeling, so I hope she'll join here so that she can talk to all of you who are going through the same things. I'm going to see her today in the hospital again, but this time I'm going to go wiht a smile on my face and no tears. She needs my strength and not my weakness and I vowed to myself that that's what she's going to get from me. I'll leave my tears here at home.
Let me tell ya, it was very enouraging to me to hear that you have been HIV positive for so long. And I know one day I'll be able to get to that positive point, but I'm just not there yet, but I'm trying. But your words of encouragement and support mean so much to me.
Take care and thank you again. God bless you.
I understand your grief. However I want to try and give you much hope. I agree with mschif in that you should not treat her any differently. If you have questions ask. Second, no one is an absolute athority on HIV, I myself was diagnosised with it way back in 1986, over twenty years now. To date have never been ill due to an HIV related condition. Back when i was diagnoses the only anti-viral we had was AZT, and they gave it in such high doses it did more harm than good to some.
I guess the best thing I can say is, treat her the same, ask questions if you need. Education is a powerful tool, but realize doctors do NOT have all the answers else I was supposed to be gone in 1989 at the latest!
I do not know what your belief system is, but I do know that it is by the grace of God that I am still here. Back in those early days I saw many friends pass, yet I am still here? For awhile I let the illness define who I was and wasted so much time.
My mother and I used to talk about who would go first her or me, I know some people think that is morbid, but it kept us laughing. I wasn't supposed to make it to 40, so the family made a big deal out of my 30th birthday party. Well guess what, in just under two years I am going to be 50! I have been blessed with a wonderful job, however it has taken me away from my family. We just recently moved my mother into an assisted living facility, (not a home), and she is doing so much better
None of us have any guarantees we will be here tomorrow so I would say care, listen, question, but be realistic in that with the medications today people are living 10, 15 or 20 years longer than they used to. Life is not over, things may be difficut at times, but we all go forward.
Much Love in Christ,
ben
And you know, I won't treat her any differently (other than to give her more hugs), becuase why would I? She's no different than she was a week ago. And God help anyone who does, because I will be a voice to be heard. Hmm, guess I'm starting to feel a little better becuase my fighting attitude is coming back (lol).
As for my beliefs, I'm not a church-goer any longer. Kind of lost my faith in the Catholic Church, but I do believe in God and knows he works miracles everyday. So last night when I said my prayers I put my sister's life in his hands and asked him to give me and my family the strength to handle come what may. And maybe in a way he answered, because when I woke up this morning I had a message from you giving me hope.
So again, than you for your words of encouragement and for sharing with me a little about yourself. To know there are people out there 20 years later who have been diagnosed has greatly eased my fears. And maybe once she's out of the hospital and back home maybe then life will have that feeling of normalcy again.
Take care and God Bless you. And again, thank you so much for your reply when I needed it the most. And I'm glad to say that I'm glad the doctors were wrong about you and that you're still here. Let's keep it that way.
Lisa