Irma plus 2. How has my life been impacted by Irma and does HIV become a priority concern? No, after securing my meds to a safe location. Safety, water, food, shelter, that's what's on my mind.
I sit with my guy (HIV negative) at the Factory, local eatery and pub; getting some food and drinks. We are concerned on how many days we will be without power. We are calm and grateful for this; not as bad as it could of been.
My thoughts, when I get tired at 6 or 7pm I cannot reasonably rest or turn in for the night because at 8:30pm I need to take my pill. That really is a struggle. I cannot get pieces of sleep, I will be all rested for another day whether I sleep for 5 minutes or 5 hours. For me I need to be ready to get a full nights rest. Some days are 8 hours, others 8 minutes, then I am up. Ready to work, clean, do what I have to.
HIV does hinder that careless part of me that wants to put aside worry and responsibility for a weekend. I will never have that leisure again. I work hard to adjust work schedule and play to be able to take that moment to stay adherent to my meds so I don't become resistant. Also to have the recommended 250 calorie meal with it. It's not undoable but it's a pain sometimes. All in a days work for us at a suppressed viral load trying to stay undetectable.
I love the opportunity given to me, to be a better person. Together we fight Stigma, since 2012 in a serodiscordant relationship. Thank God for U=U we have been enjoying sex to the fullest. Science not stigma, add PrEP to the mix, for so many couples and dating singles a new hope of love, babies, and a normal future. We are just as capable as any other human living with a chronic illness, in fact sometimes, for me, I believe we exceeded the limits pushing forward together to get this information out to everyone.
Thank you for being my support and allowing me to be At The Table.