I was just wondering how many healthcare providers have you've had since your diagnosis? If more than one, why did you change? Was it difficult to change or not? Jae
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NOTE from the Editor: The Well Project is thrilled to be working together with AIDS United as a part of their "Access2Care" initiative to share the stories of several HIV positive women, their journeys of getting into the life-saving care they need, and their experiences of attending the International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C. The A Girl Like Me blog posts on access to treatment will be cross posted on the AIDS United blog here. "What are some of the barriers to accessing HIV care have you experienced in the place you are from?" The insurance company assigned an infectious disease...
Washington D.C. last week was amazing. I showed up to the Bed & Breakfast we were staying at not knowing who anyone was. I seriously thought I was the only blogger there. At that point I still didn’t know what someone with HIV looked like. On the way to dinner I leaned over to the person sitting next to me and whispered “how many bloggers are there going to be?” It wasn’t until that night, before I went to bed, I reread everyone’s blogs. I put names with faces. I confessed this at breakfast the next morning. I really felt silly. The first time working in the A Girl Like Me (AGLM) Booth, I FELT...
I am gearing up this summer to try to get so much done before school starts again. I swear there is just one more thing to do, just one. Will I spend quality time with my kids, or will there be just one more thing to do? Will I spend more quality time with my husband, or I have to do just one more thing. If we spend our life just doing that one more thing, who will they remember when we are gone? Will they be able to describe our beautiful face and are infectious laugh? Or will they be able to describe the backs of our heads as we are leaving to do that one more thing. I sat down to write this...
Sometimes it's more trouble than it's worth. How did you get it, how old were you? Do you have AIDS or just HIV? Really, just HIV? LOL are you sick? have you ever been really sick... so after 100 questions, I finally say "Are you done now?" "Because I am." I am not sure why I am surprised every single time. When really I want to say, "You have know me for ____ amount of time and at any of that time has my head spun off my shoulders?" I still think it's interesting. I am like my own little freak show. Or maybe an exhibit... Here we have exhibit "X" she is HIV+ and lives a normal life. She's one...
I know it has been so very long since I have updated everyone. Where should I start. I am almost finished with my first year in nursing school, that is the reason I have been MIA. That is where I am going to start... Nursing School: I was in class the other day and my instructor was talking about the working in the AIDS ward at our local hospital. I was shocked how long she has been out of practice. There hasn't been an AIDS ward in years. One of my fellow classmates asked me, "Where do they put them now there isn't a ward for them." I looked at her with disbelief. I asked her... where do they...
What did you want to be when you grew up? A doctor, lawyer, actor, Mom, teacher? I am living proof that you can't let HIV steal your dreams. Sometimes I get into this self pity mode. When I take inventory of everything I have accomplished in spite of being HIV positive... I am doing better than most living without it. I got the best news last week. I just was accepted into the school I have been applying to for over 2 years. My husband's career is going Very Well. My children are all healthy. They are children, so I have sleepless nights and headaches worrying about their future. But I feel...
I am not sure why I do this. I avoid getting my lab work done. I avoid going to the doctor. I always reschedule. I take my medication and NEVER miss a dose. I just don’t want to go every 3 months. It just seem like it is too much. Why not every 6 months? I feel as if we should go out for coffee instead of talking about my health. I am fine. I should be glad to hear those words every time I go. Can’t they just look at my labs and if there is something concerning then call me to make an appointment. I feel my doctor looks at my labs and says everything looks about the same. Then we talk about...
Hello Everyone, Another Birthday is here again. Some women don't like getting older. I embrace every wonderful year! I am 41 years old today. What a life I have lead. I can actually say it has been a GREAT life. I have a loving husband & loving children. Careers that we are proud of. I have extended family and friends that are supportive. I am looking forward to crossing of a few more items off my bucket list this year :) JAE
I am trying something new. I am taking time for me. I have a family that needs me and a job that is very demanding. I am finding myself resenting all of them. I love my family, but I really needed a break. I got on a plane a few days ago (thanks to my frequent flyer points) and am visiting a friend of mine from school. I have neglected our relationship because it wasn’t a priority in my life. I love my friend and have always kept in touch, but life happens. Before you know it, you are 40 something and are missing your friend. I am sad to say, I probably could have swung vacations to see her...