- The Chemistry Guy
- The Chemistry of everyday life, an HIV blogger. Twitter: @tcghiv | Email: tetrahydroziline@gmail.com
Showing posts with label ARV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ARV. Show all posts
Third Year of Being Poz
This marks my third year of being HIV positive. Honestly, I can't really recall when was the exact date I went to Makati Medical Center and have myself tested, I know it was in between February and March. The 3 years of my conversion was a rollercoaster ride, too steep ups and too free fall when going down. This was the time when you will learn to appreciate who you are and what to perceive of what's going to happen, being care free is no longer an option. Taking extra care of yourself more than the usual, when I was still considered HIV-negative, should now be your top most priority.
Novice events took place the last 3 years - meeting new friends and acquaintances, finding someone to be a confidant, being more open to my feelings and a wider range of "activities".
The first thing came into my mind after being diagnosed was to find someone to talk to and share what happened that afternoon. I went online and found some online forums and communities, which was a bit of help. A couple of weeks have past, I decided to create this blog in hopes of releasing tensions inside and let other reader know how I feel. Through this blog, I have met several people of the same sero-status which turned out to be ok.. though some were not. These people, which some I now call friends were the ones who helped me of somehow forgetting the past. The first year of being diagnosed was exciting because I tend to meet new people almost every week. From the old-school ARG clinic of RITM, to its weekly activities, to check ups with Ate Ana. Seeing new stuff after this were somehow great. I knew I wasn't the only one.
My second year was not that blessed and turmoil started to pound. It affected both my professional and personal environment. It wasn't easy for me to sustain myself. I think this year, I started creating a poz-Twitter account. I have some friends you used this and I joined the bandwagon. I have to admit, it was fun and there were lots of chances meeting new people. More than what RITM-ARG has provided. As the chemistry principle of entropy and enthalpy, the more you know.. the greater the chance of uncertainties. Which I proved to be true. It was good at the start but its quality started to decline month after month. It seemed to have contributed a big chunk of what my second year gave to me. I'm not putting blame, just stating what I see. If I happen to check my Twitter timeline, all I see are some types of crap. Not all, but most. Way far from before I started it. No longer that active coz I decided to focus more on blogging and meeting good and trustworthy friends. Just like the old times.
This 3rd year should be my rebound year. Bouncing back from where I left last 2011 and have a clear mindset of what to expect. No more chummy bullshits.
Or perhaps, throw and clean some trash out of my closet. Eradicate all that triggers. I think that's the best way.
This blog will not be that long as most of the topics were discussed or will be discussed. I'll keep you posted.
My third year statistics:
CD4 count - 710 units
Viral load - 80++ units, I can't really recall
All other blood parameters: I think is normal
Mind state: sane
Emotional state: still unstable
Physical state: Good, but not for the fucking choosy
Financial state: I dunno, I'm poor
*by the way, what the hell happened to other poz bloggers? Where are you? Hope everything is fine.
*by the way, what the hell happened to other poz bloggers? Where are you? Hope everything is fine.
Assertion
Two weeks ago, just in time for the World AIDS Day celebration, it suddenly came into my mind to disclose my status to one of my ex. When I was having my CD4 test like 3 weeks ago, it popped my topsy-turvy mind that I need someone to be a confidant or someone to talk to regarding this (as suggested by Ate Ellen) and I thought of my ex. The reason is, I trust him more than anyone else. I know it has been more than 5 years since we parted ways but the trust is still there and cannot be undone.
Days like this I want to talk to someone and have a reliable shoulder to lean on so why not try.
Right that very moment I sent an sms asking us to meet over the weekend for some coffee and dinner. He asked why and what for, I told him just to come and we will be talking something serious about myself.
I still have a week to gain confidence and was thinking of how to do it.
The weekend came and was waiting from him to remind me that we are about to meet. No sms nor call.. no nothing from him. Sunday has passed and still, I was like a spider waiting for a damsel fly.
I asked a poz friend on how to deal with this, I asked whether if we can just talk over the phone or exchange messages. My friend told me not to - "you won't see his reactions once you disclosed your status" True enough.
I decided not to push through with it, perhaps my ex is not the best person to disclose my status. I am waiting for something from him that will make him a deserving guy to further give my trust to - ASSERTION.
Latest CD4 count
Visited Research Institute for Tropical Medicine last Friday for medicine refill and CD4 testing. Been a long time since I last went here. I came in very early at 6:45 am for CD4 testing. They recently changed the cut-off time for blood extraction to 7am-8am only. At this early, I'm already on the 9th spot from the line. The process changed and improved a bit from the previous topsy turvy scene. Their process is more effective but less efficient. It took me roughly 8 hours waiting in vain. CD4 results are released within the day, in most cases 11am, after lunch otherwise. Since I am about to refill, they told me to wait for the doctor since she will be the one providing the prescription. You will encounter a very long and pain-on-the-ass wait. I'm gonna to another post about the crucial wait-for-results experience.
So far, I'm thankful for the result. In time for Thanksgiving day.
From 406 units of CD4, it went up to 740 units.
This, perhaps, is one of the reason to be happy. Somehow, still thankful.
And oh by the way, I'm trying to resurface again. Struggling, but trying.
Follow me on Twitter @tcghiv
Half-Hearted Rebound
I tried re-surfacing from the dating scene and it's kinda awkward. I have met this guy online, he was an "avid" follower of my social media posts, from Facebook to Twitter to Instagram and Foursquare. A year of likes, comments and online messages, he had this guts to ask my number and admit his interest in dating. I was a bit aloof of this because of my sero-status - I assume he's non-poz.
I finally gave up on his persistence for a date. We set a weekend for us to meet and planned what to do with the day. It was a normal date, we dined out, watched a movie and had a little chit chat over coffee. It was really so-so. I tend to hold back everything on my mind since I know I am dating a non-poz guy, yes I'm sort of uncomfortable of the situation - Here are the reasons:
1. In the long run, granting that all is well and went according to plan, it will be one step ahead of dating - that is, being new partners. And of course as a consequence, I have to disclose my sero-status. Two things will happen, either he accepts or rejects me.
1a. If he accepted me, then that would be great. But the consequences are just up ahead. Having a sero-discordant relationship is kinda heavy to take and requires a high level of responsibility. Responsibility of not infecting your negative partner.
Intimate relationship will surely suffer on both parties as the positive guy will be strictly conscious on every action to take. Even though there's the value of "safety", still you cannot blame the scrupulous mind of the poz guy.
1b. What happens in the event of rejection? Well, this will add or perhaps multiply to the burden and depression I am experiencing.
We have talked about his closest friends. Two of them are working for some very known pharmaceutical company. One of it is actually a maker of ARV drugs. I know these friends based on Facebook, since they all added me.. I don't why, but they did. And they are all of high profiled ones, not your average and ordinary guys on the block.
I'm not really sure if I can get along with these kinds of guys - well because I don't get along well with these class of people. I'd rather have a simple life without any complications. (I just avoiding reasons for me to be insecure, that is.)
Couple of weeks has passed, this guy is still up for another date. He's really into me I think. If you were to ask me, disregarding anything and of the absolute, there's no spark between us. Given my current situation, emotionally and mentally, I think I have to turn down and no longer be ahead of what is currently happening.
I'm just too scared. Trying to do a damage control or anything similar that will affect my emotional and mental being - anticipating that it may incur more damage. Too frightened to let my feelings flow - especially to a thing that I know I cannot hold onto.
If he was a known poz guy, then perhaps everything will be alright. I know I am thinking too much about it, its just the way it is.
Follow me on Twitter: @tcghiv
I finally gave up on his persistence for a date. We set a weekend for us to meet and planned what to do with the day. It was a normal date, we dined out, watched a movie and had a little chit chat over coffee. It was really so-so. I tend to hold back everything on my mind since I know I am dating a non-poz guy, yes I'm sort of uncomfortable of the situation - Here are the reasons:
1. In the long run, granting that all is well and went according to plan, it will be one step ahead of dating - that is, being new partners. And of course as a consequence, I have to disclose my sero-status. Two things will happen, either he accepts or rejects me.
1a. If he accepted me, then that would be great. But the consequences are just up ahead. Having a sero-discordant relationship is kinda heavy to take and requires a high level of responsibility. Responsibility of not infecting your negative partner.
Intimate relationship will surely suffer on both parties as the positive guy will be strictly conscious on every action to take. Even though there's the value of "safety", still you cannot blame the scrupulous mind of the poz guy.
1b. What happens in the event of rejection? Well, this will add or perhaps multiply to the burden and depression I am experiencing.
We have talked about his closest friends. Two of them are working for some very known pharmaceutical company. One of it is actually a maker of ARV drugs. I know these friends based on Facebook, since they all added me.. I don't why, but they did. And they are all of high profiled ones, not your average and ordinary guys on the block.
I'm not really sure if I can get along with these kinds of guys - well because I don't get along well with these class of people. I'd rather have a simple life without any complications. (I just avoiding reasons for me to be insecure, that is.)
Couple of weeks has passed, this guy is still up for another date. He's really into me I think. If you were to ask me, disregarding anything and of the absolute, there's no spark between us. Given my current situation, emotionally and mentally, I think I have to turn down and no longer be ahead of what is currently happening.
I'm just too scared. Trying to do a damage control or anything similar that will affect my emotional and mental being - anticipating that it may incur more damage. Too frightened to let my feelings flow - especially to a thing that I know I cannot hold onto.
If he was a known poz guy, then perhaps everything will be alright. I know I am thinking too much about it, its just the way it is.
Follow me on Twitter: @tcghiv
Trick or Treat
I wonder if vampires and zombies get HIV since they eat anything blood-related? My most anticipated world catastrophe is zombie apocalypse. Been an avid fan of zombie-themed movies, games and stuff. I think I am ready for one, I just hope it happen.. The thing is, I think I won't live that long since there will be a shortage of ARV. Oh well, I can't have it all.
Just posting to say Happy Halloween.. trick or treat, I want something good to eat - a dick perhaps? lols. Kidding.
Stay safe. Have yourself tested.
Follow me on Twitter: @tcghiv
Just posting to say Happy Halloween.. trick or treat, I want something good to eat - a dick perhaps? lols. Kidding.
Stay safe. Have yourself tested.
Follow me on Twitter: @tcghiv
Four Hundred Six
Just like what my previous post was described - deteriorating, so as my new CD4 count. Last week I went to RITM to have my CD4 count and refill of meds. It was quite a busy day for them as the clinic was bombarded by old timers and new patients. They have a new system for those who are due for their CD4 test - to have it scheduled prior to you arrival at the clinic. I have heard this from a friend of mine and immediately sent Ate Beth an SMS to have my appointment o more than a week before my preferred date.
Come that day, I called in sick to my boss and went straight to Alabang. My home is quite near RITM so there was no need to struggle for an early morning call time - they have a cutoff time for the test which is 10am. I arrived like 9am and it was crowded. They have asked if I had my appointment BUT they cannot seem to find my name on that piece of 'office desk calendar' appointment sheet. Just to find out that they mistakenly wrote my code as R11-XXX which should have been R10-XXX, ayaw pa nila ko payagan to take the test kasi wala naman daw sa list yung 'code' ko. I insisted that I have called a week before this day and they admit they commit an error. So the mere difference of R10 versus R11 would have put my leave into waste.
This was also the day when I saw an old friend of mine. But I did not pay attention too much to him as he was aslo busy with his anniverasry exams.
My tests were done and I'm now waiting for the prescription of my ARV's. When this guy came in almost 10am, just before the cutoff time for CD4 testing, he didn't know about the appointment and schedule setting prior to the test but after a while they allowed him to take the CD4 test. I was just a mere observer that time and only one thing came into my mind: I have scheduled myself a week before this day to have my CD4 test and almost on the brink of not taking it and wasting my leave to nothing when this guy came on an instant and he was allowed to take it? That was just too unfair. This guy was like a BFF to them. Ok fine, I now know where should I place myself.
Nonetheless, I was still grateful that I had the test and they gave my 3-month supply of ARVs - STILL. Contrart to what others have said a week before that they now only give 1 month supply.
That day was really a frustration, my first time to experience after 2 years of going to them. Everytime I go to RITM, I always wanted to stay even after my appointment as I wanted to mingle with other patients and staffs, now It's like the opposite. I wanna get myself out the minute I finish my deal. I just hope this won't take too long to change.
Anyway, my CD4 streamline is now:
1st: 282
2nd: 610
3rd: 608
4th: 406
1st viral load: 110,000+
2nd viral load: 86
The results were just texted to me, so I don't have any validity whether this tremendous drop is real or not. I'm just worrying why in the world this happened? Am I too stressed and depressed or my ARV's are no longer working? With the viral load still *NOT* undetectable after taking the potent Efavirenz for almost 2 years... I'm just worrying to much.
Uneven
Too many people have noticed my drastic weight change.. When friends see me for the longest time, they always say how skinny I am.. Well, I'm not that skinny-bulemic.
Maybe they were comparing my weight and physique now than that of last year.. Yes, even I can now see my body built change.
My mom also noticed this, she was like worried why am I getting thinner as months go by.. Perhaps this is what another side effect of the medicines I take - lipodystrophy. Unwanted body fat redistribution.
My extremities, such as legs and arms are now getting like a girl's tone. Am not a girl, so this doesn't look good. It might be good if my tummy's fat is also fading... But not.
So I've come to a decision to enroll myself to a gym. It's like hitting 2 birds with 1 stone. First, to regulate my fat distribution and a healthy lifestyle. Second, aesthetic purposes. Lol
When I was in elementary and high school, I was so fat like the kid from the movie Up, center of bully and teasing I was like the obese kid in town. I was then trimmed down during late high school and early college, my waist was from 36 down to 32. I was really thankful my body was trimmed down, but I think not to this extent.
So maybe this will be an excellent time to get in shape.. If my willingness permits me.
This might materialize towards the end of the year or early next year. This was already a plan created several years ago but due to my procrastination... It never happened.
Looking forward to this physical change.
Maybe they were comparing my weight and physique now than that of last year.. Yes, even I can now see my body built change.
My mom also noticed this, she was like worried why am I getting thinner as months go by.. Perhaps this is what another side effect of the medicines I take - lipodystrophy. Unwanted body fat redistribution.
My extremities, such as legs and arms are now getting like a girl's tone. Am not a girl, so this doesn't look good. It might be good if my tummy's fat is also fading... But not.
So I've come to a decision to enroll myself to a gym. It's like hitting 2 birds with 1 stone. First, to regulate my fat distribution and a healthy lifestyle. Second, aesthetic purposes. Lol
When I was in elementary and high school, I was so fat like the kid from the movie Up, center of bully and teasing I was like the obese kid in town. I was then trimmed down during late high school and early college, my waist was from 36 down to 32. I was really thankful my body was trimmed down, but I think not to this extent.
So maybe this will be an excellent time to get in shape.. If my willingness permits me.
This might materialize towards the end of the year or early next year. This was already a plan created several years ago but due to my procrastination... It never happened.
Looking forward to this physical change.
Non-Compliant
I just found out that I missed another tablet of Lamivudine + Zidovudine.
I'm having difficulties with medicine compliance.. my usual schedule is 12pm and 12am.
My phone will alarm but to my state of being busy, I take them an hour of two.
Now I missed one... again. I need to restructure my schedule.
I'm just having a hard time... I feel anxious (continued to my next post)
Ta!
I'm having difficulties with medicine compliance.. my usual schedule is 12pm and 12am.
My phone will alarm but to my state of being busy, I take them an hour of two.
Now I missed one... again. I need to restructure my schedule.
I'm just having a hard time... I feel anxious (continued to my next post)
Ta!
Monday's In between
I'm sooo effin' tired... Again, one of the side effects of Nevirapine. I'm sleepy the whole day. Am here in the office doing nothing, then why not make blog post? Good thing my phone supports MS Word so I can just upload through usb then copy and paste.
Ok, nothing much to say on a Monday. A bit loaded shift but was so manageable that I have extra 2 hours to spare with. Im on my iPod and listening to Lady Gaga's Pokerface. So gay right? Listening to her on an office setting. Anyway, I'm just waiting in vain for our shift to end.
Nothing to talk much on a Monday, then let's bother yesterday's events. Sunday, a small company event was held in Metrowalk. Prior to the event I was planning of dropping by either Shangrila - to check or might even buy some stuffs from Zara, hey they're on sale! Or Megamall - to have a haircut. Well I did jump to Megamall but went to Subway coz Of my sandwhich craving.
On to Metrowalk, met new friends and saw some cuties. Went dinner, videoke, billiards and chit chat over coffee. Well, another pretty experience indeed.
I'm still sleepy. Took hot cup noodles and chips to satisfy my salt taste buds. Sipped coffee, somehow baka mawala mga hikab ko. Still! I tried calculating till when I'll suffer this condition..
Here goes my self-proclaimed calculation,
I ask Wikipedia about Nevirapine's half life. Half-life is a chemical term that denotes the time at which a substance loses half of its concentration. NVP's half-life is 45 hours and I took 4 of them so around 15days?
Enough of those.. Tuesday is set for RITM. Gonna get those Efavirenz in exchange of NVP. Will see good friends again.. Hopefully I can have the chance to meet someone new naman. :P
By the way, I'm missing Ma. Well, he himself but not his pesky paranoia and untrustfulness. gosh, is there such a word untrustfulness? Lols.
Let's see what will happen next. I still don't text him. Huh!
Ta!
Ok, nothing much to say on a Monday. A bit loaded shift but was so manageable that I have extra 2 hours to spare with. Im on my iPod and listening to Lady Gaga's Pokerface. So gay right? Listening to her on an office setting. Anyway, I'm just waiting in vain for our shift to end.
Nothing to talk much on a Monday, then let's bother yesterday's events. Sunday, a small company event was held in Metrowalk. Prior to the event I was planning of dropping by either Shangrila - to check or might even buy some stuffs from Zara, hey they're on sale! Or Megamall - to have a haircut. Well I did jump to Megamall but went to Subway coz Of my sandwhich craving.
On to Metrowalk, met new friends and saw some cuties. Went dinner, videoke, billiards and chit chat over coffee. Well, another pretty experience indeed.
I'm still sleepy. Took hot cup noodles and chips to satisfy my salt taste buds. Sipped coffee, somehow baka mawala mga hikab ko. Still! I tried calculating till when I'll suffer this condition..
Here goes my self-proclaimed calculation,
I ask Wikipedia about Nevirapine's half life. Half-life is a chemical term that denotes the time at which a substance loses half of its concentration. NVP's half-life is 45 hours and I took 4 of them so around 15days?
Enough of those.. Tuesday is set for RITM. Gonna get those Efavirenz in exchange of NVP. Will see good friends again.. Hopefully I can have the chance to meet someone new naman. :P
By the way, I'm missing Ma. Well, he himself but not his pesky paranoia and untrustfulness. gosh, is there such a word untrustfulness? Lols.
Let's see what will happen next. I still don't text him. Huh!
Ta!
Rain Rain Go Away
Sunday, planned to go with D and K. Unfortunately, D has fever.. boo! K. I think is not yet awake and he's not replying. It's already 4pm and I don't wanna waste my time inside this boring room.
It's raining hard and I decided to let it pass before I go out of the house. I was browsing some blogs, online in PlanetRomeo, Facebook and other personal sites. Wala lang, juat to keep myself busy for the meantime. Tomorrow is another Monday, Another busy week off. Sheesh.
Ma, is not texting. I miss him a bit, but to render his lesson and realization I opted not to text or talk to him. Hayaan ko muna. Well for sure if I did, magaaway ulit kami.
It's the 5th day of my Acyclovir, my opportunistic infection is gone. I have 4 tabs left and I'm gonna miss this. It's like candy, the texture and the taste. It's not the usual medicine that taste like hell. Well. Thanks Acyclovir! no more 5x/day for 5days :D
I took photos of the ARV's .. boredom really kills. :D
I'll be preparing myself in a bit.
Have questions? Just give me a holler!
Ta!
It's raining hard and I decided to let it pass before I go out of the house. I was browsing some blogs, online in PlanetRomeo, Facebook and other personal sites. Wala lang, juat to keep myself busy for the meantime. Tomorrow is another Monday, Another busy week off. Sheesh.
Ma, is not texting. I miss him a bit, but to render his lesson and realization I opted not to text or talk to him. Hayaan ko muna. Well for sure if I did, magaaway ulit kami.
It's the 5th day of my Acyclovir, my opportunistic infection is gone. I have 4 tabs left and I'm gonna miss this. It's like candy, the texture and the taste. It's not the usual medicine that taste like hell. Well. Thanks Acyclovir! no more 5x/day for 5days :D
I took photos of the ARV's .. boredom really kills. :D
I'll be preparing myself in a bit.
Have questions? Just give me a holler!
Ta!
Instant Life-Changer
Im now taking arv's ... Surprise!
Yeah, it was really unexpected.
I planned to go to RITM for a check up.
I have a serious OI by the way. Haha.
The doctor checked me and run through my chart. She said, 'feeling ko
mas mababa na cd4 mo kesa dati (which was 282) kaya ka nagka ganyan'.
She even called a fellow doctor to confirm my condition.. 2 of them
decided to check my cd4 count but it was too early for September.
'kelangan mo na mag arv' they uttered. 'kasi kung ano ano na dumadapo
sayo,mababa na cd4 mo'. What??!! I was really caught of guarded.. Wala
na ko nagawa! They even called Dr. Ditangco for approval. Oh my, i was
just here to have my oi checked and now im pressured with arv's ..
lols. Ok fine so be it! Take it take it..
They prescribed me
Truvada and Isentress...
Common, of course not!
Lamivudine + Zidovudine + Nevirapine
it's my 2nd take of NVP and thank god for no adverse rashes :)
it was an instant life changing regimen, if others were very latent
and trying to avoid it, but for me, i look forward every 12pm and
12am.
My new bestfriends:
Lamivudine
Zidovudine
Nevirapine, for now
Acyclovir, for my oi treatment
Azithromycin
Co-trimaxazole
Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin B complex
Multivitamins
Isopropyl and Ethyl alcohol
Sulfur and Triclosan based soaps
hopefully my cd4 count will jump from 282 to 400+ haha cross-fingers!
Ta!
Yeah, it was really unexpected.
I planned to go to RITM for a check up.
I have a serious OI by the way. Haha.
The doctor checked me and run through my chart. She said, 'feeling ko
mas mababa na cd4 mo kesa dati (which was 282) kaya ka nagka ganyan'.
She even called a fellow doctor to confirm my condition.. 2 of them
decided to check my cd4 count but it was too early for September.
'kelangan mo na mag arv' they uttered. 'kasi kung ano ano na dumadapo
sayo,mababa na cd4 mo'. What??!! I was really caught of guarded.. Wala
na ko nagawa! They even called Dr. Ditangco for approval. Oh my, i was
just here to have my oi checked and now im pressured with arv's ..
lols. Ok fine so be it! Take it take it..
They prescribed me
Truvada and Isentress...
Common, of course not!
Lamivudine + Zidovudine + Nevirapine
it's my 2nd take of NVP and thank god for no adverse rashes :)
it was an instant life changing regimen, if others were very latent
and trying to avoid it, but for me, i look forward every 12pm and
12am.
My new bestfriends:
Lamivudine
Zidovudine
Nevirapine, for now
Acyclovir, for my oi treatment
Azithromycin
Co-trimaxazole
Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin B complex
Multivitamins
Isopropyl and Ethyl alcohol
Sulfur and Triclosan based soaps
hopefully my cd4 count will jump from 282 to 400+ haha cross-fingers!
Ta!
I'm ready... but Fate isn't
pretty long entry for today, hope you wont feel lazy. :)
I was diagnosed last March and got a quite low cd4 count of 282, it's been months now and yet im not taking any arv's. I don't know but im not ready yet or maybe it just so happen that there's not much happening in my body now so i dont feel the urge and need of taking it...
Mid April, my furuncolosis recurred for the nth time. not really severe but a couple of nodules.. like 2-4. at the same time, i had something.. (im shy to disclose, haha) so I went to RITM to have it checked and they gave me ample Azithromycins and TMP-SMXs (co-trimaxazole) to cover these ailments. I promised myself that after these wounds have healed, i'll take my arv's na. Days turned into weeks and my wounds were healed, so I targeted a schedule to go back to RITM for the arv prescription. The next day, the morning of my scheduled task, my throat is aching and im having a low-grade fever, i knew for myself that this is tonsillitis but i ignored it and went to RITM... As the doctor and i were talking and she almost handed over the prescription paper, i uttered my complain about my throat, she checked my mouth and saw these very large tonsils! she said...
as she pulls away the paper.. sigh! hawak ko na!!!!
then she gave me co-amoxiclav.
ok fine...
Ailments were gone, my birthday's coming so i decided for myself that i'll be taking arv's after my special day.. of course, it's like a rebirth. for the past 23 years of my life im not taking any lifetime medication, so i'll do this on my 24th year.. i hope this makes sense.
Ok, im already 24, days have passed after my birthday and here we go, as scheduled, I went to RITM today to my arv prescription. I arrived at around 3pm, as expected.. no patients. almost zero visibility. Most of the OPD customer are in the morning. Ate Ana said I can wait in the lounge as there's a miniature line waiting, as I went to the lounge i saw Shola, what a nice way to start my visit today. Not much people in the lounge, just one sleep guy and a new friend i've met during my first visit. so there's no one really to share things out and i decided wowowee na lang. Ate Ana called me and it's my turn... I was surprised coz Dra. Ditangco was there, it means that she will be the one assessing me.. we talked about getting my first arv's, but again i uttered another complaint, my chest is aching and i'm producing grayish sputum. She assessed my condition and decided that i take another sputum test and chest xray. Not again!!! postponed nanaman ag arv's ko.. ok, let's get this done so next week i'll have everything set into place.
I went into the xray room and the technician took my chest image, he was nice, he also greeted me happy birthday.. thanks kuya! i had a sneak peak on the developed film and i saw whitish marks on my chest. OMG what is this!!?? i know it could be either TB or pneumonia... No way!
well, i have to wait for the sputum test results... the only im bothered is, my company will be having it's annual physical exam and they might see that my chest's having problems... hmmm,
PLAN A - expedite everything. first day of the week next week, i'll submit my specimens and check my xray, ask for medications so the week after next week, it may be cleared. and go with the APE as scheduled.
PLAN B - still expedite everything, just like plan A BUT delay my APE and have it 2 weeks after the scheduled one. hmmmm.. i think this is best! :D
going back to Dra. Ditangco, in fairness, she's nice.. my impression of her way before i first saw her was she's masungit and may attitude.. but not, she's indeed nice.
I left RITM with a mixture of Stress - coz of the xray i saw and Happiness - i was able to meet Dra. Ditangco for the first time and of course met my friends.
I went to a big mall in Ortigas to have a massage, stressed eh.. so i hovered over a spa center and took an hour massage.. i think im fulfilled. i guess... :D Took dinner and went home...
I really wanted to start arv's , but fate wont allow me... i wonder why?
Ta!
I was diagnosed last March and got a quite low cd4 count of 282, it's been months now and yet im not taking any arv's. I don't know but im not ready yet or maybe it just so happen that there's not much happening in my body now so i dont feel the urge and need of taking it...
Mid April, my furuncolosis recurred for the nth time. not really severe but a couple of nodules.. like 2-4. at the same time, i had something.. (im shy to disclose, haha) so I went to RITM to have it checked and they gave me ample Azithromycins and TMP-SMXs (co-trimaxazole) to cover these ailments. I promised myself that after these wounds have healed, i'll take my arv's na. Days turned into weeks and my wounds were healed, so I targeted a schedule to go back to RITM for the arv prescription. The next day, the morning of my scheduled task, my throat is aching and im having a low-grade fever, i knew for myself that this is tonsillitis but i ignored it and went to RITM... As the doctor and i were talking and she almost handed over the prescription paper, i uttered my complain about my throat, she checked my mouth and saw these very large tonsils! she said...
uh, uh! hindi ka muna mag arv.. gamutin na muna natin yan!
as she pulls away the paper.. sigh! hawak ko na!!!!
then she gave me co-amoxiclav.
ok fine...
Ailments were gone, my birthday's coming so i decided for myself that i'll be taking arv's after my special day.. of course, it's like a rebirth. for the past 23 years of my life im not taking any lifetime medication, so i'll do this on my 24th year.. i hope this makes sense.
Ok, im already 24, days have passed after my birthday and here we go, as scheduled, I went to RITM today to my arv prescription. I arrived at around 3pm, as expected.. no patients. almost zero visibility. Most of the OPD customer are in the morning. Ate Ana said I can wait in the lounge as there's a miniature line waiting, as I went to the lounge i saw Shola, what a nice way to start my visit today. Not much people in the lounge, just one sleep guy and a new friend i've met during my first visit. so there's no one really to share things out and i decided wowowee na lang. Ate Ana called me and it's my turn... I was surprised coz Dra. Ditangco was there, it means that she will be the one assessing me.. we talked about getting my first arv's, but again i uttered another complaint, my chest is aching and i'm producing grayish sputum. She assessed my condition and decided that i take another sputum test and chest xray. Not again!!! postponed nanaman ag arv's ko.. ok, let's get this done so next week i'll have everything set into place.
I went into the xray room and the technician took my chest image, he was nice, he also greeted me happy birthday.. thanks kuya! i had a sneak peak on the developed film and i saw whitish marks on my chest. OMG what is this!!?? i know it could be either TB or pneumonia... No way!
well, i have to wait for the sputum test results... the only im bothered is, my company will be having it's annual physical exam and they might see that my chest's having problems... hmmm,
PLAN A - expedite everything. first day of the week next week, i'll submit my specimens and check my xray, ask for medications so the week after next week, it may be cleared. and go with the APE as scheduled.
PLAN B - still expedite everything, just like plan A BUT delay my APE and have it 2 weeks after the scheduled one. hmmmm.. i think this is best! :D
going back to Dra. Ditangco, in fairness, she's nice.. my impression of her way before i first saw her was she's masungit and may attitude.. but not, she's indeed nice.
I left RITM with a mixture of Stress - coz of the xray i saw and Happiness - i was able to meet Dra. Ditangco for the first time and of course met my friends.
I went to a big mall in Ortigas to have a massage, stressed eh.. so i hovered over a spa center and took an hour massage.. i think im fulfilled. i guess... :D Took dinner and went home...
I really wanted to start arv's , but fate wont allow me... i wonder why?
Ta!
Long Weekend and Election
Another long weekend has passed by.
Saturday, it was a time for another volleyball game with some known and unknown friends. It was really fun and i got the chance to meet some new friends and acquaintances, of course another chance of meeting new crushes! lols
Sunday was quite slow for me, as usual, i went to a near by mall and did some groceries instead. was online the whole day and met another poz guy from a gay personal site. he was nice, seems humble.. which i like the most.
my instincts never failed me. i just don't get the logic why there are still some poz guys who's really pasaway.
I also got the chance to research some facts and developments on HIV. There are new ARV's to be approved soon by FDA. how exciting.
also had the chance to browse over youtube for photoshop tutorials..
May 10 was another premium pay for me, It's National Elections, it's a holiday..
as expected.. Ayala was like Resident Evil again, no cars, no fuzzy people, no everything!
I'm not a registered voter, hmm.. i know, why didn't i exercised my right? I just don't have time to register, as simple as that.
Looking at the partial results now, my bet Mr. Aquino is on the lead. but what the as a fuck?! Mr. Estrada next in line? no way! gosh.. why people nowadays are so narrow-headed. My officemates were wondering how to remove the indelible ink,
Indelible ink - main ingredient is Silver Nitrate, can be removed by Nitric Acid (goodluck!) and Sodium Thiosulfate. Correct me if i'm wrong.
My ex-bf and i got into a slight tension which lead to a realization that i can't share my sero status to him, tsk.. plans do fail. i really need to move on.
my birthday is just around the corner. no plans, no nothing...
my first birthday after my sero-conversion. well, nothing's special on that day.
like what i said, i need to move on, not from this sero-status but from him.
Get well soon Juan dela Cruz, Positive = Rebirth, G!
Ta!
Saturday, it was a time for another volleyball game with some known and unknown friends. It was really fun and i got the chance to meet some new friends and acquaintances, of course another chance of meeting new crushes! lols
Sunday was quite slow for me, as usual, i went to a near by mall and did some groceries instead. was online the whole day and met another poz guy from a gay personal site. he was nice, seems humble.. which i like the most.
my instincts never failed me. i just don't get the logic why there are still some poz guys who's really pasaway.
I also got the chance to research some facts and developments on HIV. There are new ARV's to be approved soon by FDA. how exciting.
also had the chance to browse over youtube for photoshop tutorials..
May 10 was another premium pay for me, It's National Elections, it's a holiday..
as expected.. Ayala was like Resident Evil again, no cars, no fuzzy people, no everything!
I'm not a registered voter, hmm.. i know, why didn't i exercised my right? I just don't have time to register, as simple as that.
Looking at the partial results now, my bet Mr. Aquino is on the lead. but what the as a fuck?! Mr. Estrada next in line? no way! gosh.. why people nowadays are so narrow-headed. My officemates were wondering how to remove the indelible ink,
Indelible ink - main ingredient is Silver Nitrate, can be removed by Nitric Acid (goodluck!) and Sodium Thiosulfate. Correct me if i'm wrong.
My ex-bf and i got into a slight tension which lead to a realization that i can't share my sero status to him, tsk.. plans do fail. i really need to move on.
my birthday is just around the corner. no plans, no nothing...
my first birthday after my sero-conversion. well, nothing's special on that day.
like what i said, i need to move on, not from this sero-status but from him.
Get well soon Juan dela Cruz, Positive = Rebirth, G!
Ta!
Excited State
When Electrons' energy level is above its Ground State, we can conclude that it is EXCITED.
--- how Quantum Chemistry affects everyday life.
Tuesday, April 6 2010 ... A totally different day that marked my calendar.
This is the day of my first CD4 grade ... and not to my expectations, other surprises.
On my previous blog, I can't sleep... I tried to close my eyes, engulf a big grasp of air and relaxed.
But it didn't work, My eyes were closed and yet my conscious mind flew my head of the thing thats
going to happen for tomorrow... in RITM.
Set my alarm clock for 730am and off i go...
Woke up around 6am but it's too early, hey i should be throwing off myself by 730am.
I took my short breakfast, a nice cold shower and prepared my stuffs.
I left the house by 820am anticipating myself to be in Alabang by 9am or so.
Even my ipod can't blur all the things thats instilling in my mind on what's gonna happen
since i'm alone. I don't know if im excited to see the results or excited coz it's another challenge for me to do something on my own... and there you go, Butterflies on my stomach!
Im now walking onto the small and short isle of the building and saw a lot, i mean A LOT of children screaming for mama and crying for the needle shot for their dog bite.. GAWD!
I entered the OPD annex door and saw the nurse who attended to me during my first visit,
a bit of sigh for me coz finally i know someone in the room! As my observant eyes roam the
small room, i saw another friend of mine... another sigh!
ok then, it's time for my agenda... "For Follow-up and CD4 result pls.. R10-xxx"
Results were --- CD4 282
"ok, 282... at least not 2 or 6"
im happy with it, 3 digits is not bad.
If you're gonna ask me, i'd rather take arv's instead.
Side Effects or OI's? ---- Side Effects, of course!
How is it gonna be taking Truvada, Kaletra, Isentress, Atripla, Bevirimat etc taste like?
hahaha, In my dreams... I know, I know... 1st line first.
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