You were asked to do several blood tests, one of them an HIV/AIDS test. You were not worried about this test because you knew you were practicing safe sex and so this was not a concern. One week after doing these tests you received a call from your doctor’s office asking you to visit because the results were in.
While sitting in the doctor’s office waiting for your name to be called some nervous jitters came along but still you pushed them away. Then it was your turn and you went in with a nervous smile. The doctor smiled and did his customary courtesies, then he told you ‘I am sorry to tell you but your HIV/AIDS test result shows that you are positive’.
You were bewildered and shocked, and then the tears came.
I am here to tell you not to stress yourself – there is life after the diagnosis. It is not having the disease but what happens next after being told about your status. Depression will not help you; it only takes off months or years from your life. When you come out of it, then you will see the mess that you have made of your life, not the disease.
Here is my advice:
Education
Get yourself educated about this disease; forget about what you had heard before whether it be negative or positive. Search the internet, there are tons of information sites. One good website is www.thebody.com where there are online doctors you can talk with or you can participate in their forum.
Medication
Abide to the instructions of your doctors. Always take your medications on time, eat healthy and exercise. If you are living in a country where the medications are not free then talk with members in the HIV/AIDS community to see where you can get the cheapest price. Don’t allow pride to stop you from shopping for this.
Socialization
Join HIV chat rooms my favorite is STARCHAT or your country/community support groups. Don’t be afraid to talk about your status- this is how you will become comfortable with it. In doing this you are also helping others to fight against discrimination.
Religion
Try and build a relationship with your God if you don’t have one; if you already have one, then draw closer to him. I have come to depend on Him and realize that without Him in my life I would still be lost.
Personal Finance
Continue to seek your financial freedom don’t give up on achieving it. If you have not started then this is the perfect opportunity to look into your life and begin. There are numerous sites that speak about this but my favorite is www.financiallysmartadvice.com. This site as helped me to see the wrongs I had made in the past and now I have started to make things right.
Start with a budget and don’t forget the 10% rule in savings no matter how small it is put aside something for that emergency day. I said emergency because with us it is not the disease but the various complications, so we have to prepare for them especially if there is no life insurance.
Take heart and trust in God. Remember it is not the end of your life to be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS but it will be if you allow it to consume you.
Blessings
Dat’s encouraging kerriann! I’m proud of you!
touches me, too pathetic when diagnonise with it..
May the good Lord continue to strenngthen u, so ur efforts and fight against HIV/AIDs descrimination may have possitive impact on others.
Am proud of u, the courage and commitment to preventing and enlightening others about the spread…
You are a woman of honour.
My Brother,
Thank you. Hugs and blessings
you’ve done really well and i’m highly impressed. But i think you should also en-light us more about having the courage to see our physician when ever the need arises. Cause some of us are always ashame to see the doctor on dental related ailments hiv/aids issues. But we can rush to our doctors when we have malaria with out any shame.
more grease to your elbow.
Thank you for your comment. I will do that in one of the upcoming article. Hugs and blessings
Great post on how to handle be diagnosed as positive! Great advice on staying positive too, as many people do fall into depression after being diagnosed HIV positive, as the stigma associated with it can be incredibly high.
Do you have any plans to do follow-up articles on AIDS HIV and women? Or medication resources? Please contact us if you need information
Thank you. Yes I will certainly take up your offer. Have a blessed and fulfill day.