I don't know exactly when it was implemented but I believe it was in the middle or past middle of last year. I am referring to the new policy at the Aids Research Group (ARG) at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) whereby those who would undergo CD4 count should be at the clinic between 7 and 8 a.m. from that time on. No CD4 count requests will be entertained after that. If a PLHIV misses his CD4 count appointment, he or she will have to take the next one SIX MONTHS AFTER. I call that crazy but I will get to that in awhile.
Let me digress for a moment. In the past, CD4 counts are done every Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at RITM and PLHIVs who need to go through it have until 10 a.m. to do so. It was good and didn't need to be changed until last year. As they say, if it ain't broke, why fix it?
Anyway, when I went to the RITM-ARG sometime August or September last year, I was surprised to find an announcement on the way setting a new schedule for CD4 count. Weekdays and between 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. only. Okay, I told myself, I will just have to get up really early when I'm due to have my CD4 count (the last one I had in April last year was 407 or 409).
I talked to Nurse Maram (in-charge of laboratory tests for PLHIVs) and she informed me of the new policy so my CD4 count was set on October 26, 2012. She asked for my contact number so she can text and remind me of it prior to the date it is supposed to be done.
Unfortunately, I forgot all about my CD4 schedule because I was really busy at work and I didn't receive any text from RITM-ARG reminding me about it as Nurse Maram had assured me. So I texted Ate Ellen and Ate Beth or RITM-ARG if I can have it reset to November or December at the latest. They referred the matter to Nurse Maram who adamantly rejected my request to reschedule my CD4 count to April 11, 2013. Geez!
Now my concern is this: what if my CD4 on October last year had dropped dangerously low which I will never know because Nurse Maram said I can only have my next CD4 count in April. And what if something bad happened to me because my CD4 was already very low and it wasn't known because Nurse Maram rejected my request to have it reset to November or December. Nurse Maram is to blame for it.
Anyway, I hope the RITM-ARG would think of possible scenarios relative to a change in any policy or rules that might put a PLHIV at a disadvantage. Lives are at stake here. They should always be aware of that.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Revival
February 19, 2012. Almost a year since my last post in this blog that I am revisiting and will update as much as I can from now on.
Work has mostly kept me from writing here and keeping you, my followers, posted on what's going on with me. I still work and live here in Makati City and still loving my job - no to burnout. :)
And as I write here again, this will be the first of three new articles I will be posting. :)
Work has mostly kept me from writing here and keeping you, my followers, posted on what's going on with me. I still work and live here in Makati City and still loving my job - no to burnout. :)
And as I write here again, this will be the first of three new articles I will be posting. :)
Sunday, February 19, 2012
To Anonymous
I am writing this post, hoping that the anonymous letter-sender who sent me an email recently as a comment to my post "And so a year has passed" would read this because I can't find any email address to send a reply.
Please email me at a10_67@yahoo.com and state your email address and contact numbers if possible so I can get back to you and we can talk and/or give your pertinent advice in relation to your status.
Thank you.
Please email me at a10_67@yahoo.com and state your email address and contact numbers if possible so I can get back to you and we can talk and/or give your pertinent advice in relation to your status.
Thank you.
Monday, October 17, 2011
What's up, what's new with me?!
Whoa! It's been more than 2 months since my last entry here. Things have been pretty hectic at work, more so after I got promoted at work as head of our company's administrative department and as a result, I now work during the day (normal working hours yipee!) - Mondays to Fridays (9 am to 6 pm) and Saturdays (9 am to 4 pm). Yes, I work six days a week and you might say "that sucks" but I love my new job now since I get to be busy unlike when I was still assigned in the nightshift when I was mostly idle for like nine, 10 hours. Better to be busy than doing mostly nothing. So far, my sleeping pattern has returned to normal. I got sick for a few days though (acute upper respiratory tract infection) early this month and I guess it was because my body was adjusting to my new work sked.
Another piece of good news I want to share is that I finally learned of my viral load results after waiting for it for several months (!). As of last March, I am already undetectable. Thanks in large part to the antiretrovirals (ARVs) I've been taking and adherence to a healthy lifestyle (enough sleep, balanced diet, exercise, taking multivitamins regularly, no vices of any kind). I still have the virus in me but at least the volume is not so much anymore that it is barely detected already. I hope my next viral load results would still show I am undetectable.
I am due for my 4th CD4 count next month and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it would be higher now. My CD4 count results are as follows:
- April 2010 - 315
- October 2010 - 479
- May 2011 - 530
Well guys, this is all for now and till my next post!
Another piece of good news I want to share is that I finally learned of my viral load results after waiting for it for several months (!). As of last March, I am already undetectable. Thanks in large part to the antiretrovirals (ARVs) I've been taking and adherence to a healthy lifestyle (enough sleep, balanced diet, exercise, taking multivitamins regularly, no vices of any kind). I still have the virus in me but at least the volume is not so much anymore that it is barely detected already. I hope my next viral load results would still show I am undetectable.
I am due for my 4th CD4 count next month and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it would be higher now. My CD4 count results are as follows:
- April 2010 - 315
- October 2010 - 479
- May 2011 - 530
Well guys, this is all for now and till my next post!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Contemptuous act
I came across a blog -- http://lastsexofanhiv.blogspot.com -- that posted photos of guys who are allegedly HIV positive. The pics were taken from the guys' profiles in a gay social networking site called Planetromeo. Planetromeo is infamous for being a venue for searching for quick sex. It took over www.guys4men.com a few years ago.
Anyway, the anonymous blogger had explained that he came out with the blog to warn other gay guys in the metro against having sex with those whose pics he posted as they are allegedly HIV positive.
First off, the blog is a violation of Republic Act (RA) 8504 or The Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998, which prohibits public disclosure of the identities of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) - whether alleged or confirmed.
I worry about the guys whose pics are in the blog, more particularly for members of their family who may read or see the blog. True or not, the accusation can emotionally affect not only the guys but their families as well.
The Philippine National Aids Council (PNAC), cause-oriented groups and influential individuals have already been informed about the blog and efforts are being made to have it taken down.
As of this writing, the blog is still up and I hope it is deleted as soon as possible before it causes more harm not only to the persons whose pics have been posted there but to their families also.
Anyway, the anonymous blogger had explained that he came out with the blog to warn other gay guys in the metro against having sex with those whose pics he posted as they are allegedly HIV positive.
First off, the blog is a violation of Republic Act (RA) 8504 or The Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998, which prohibits public disclosure of the identities of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) - whether alleged or confirmed.
I worry about the guys whose pics are in the blog, more particularly for members of their family who may read or see the blog. True or not, the accusation can emotionally affect not only the guys but their families as well.
The Philippine National Aids Council (PNAC), cause-oriented groups and influential individuals have already been informed about the blog and efforts are being made to have it taken down.
As of this writing, the blog is still up and I hope it is deleted as soon as possible before it causes more harm not only to the persons whose pics have been posted there but to their families also.
It's been awhile so here's an update
It's been quite sometime since I last posted here.
Well, firstly because I didn't have any update on my health, not until now. I have this infected pimple on the edge of my lower lip, that is why that part of my lip is quite swollen. I started taking meds (antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs) to control the infection and keep it from swelling further. I look like Angelina Jolie except that it's my lower lip that's fuller. Hahaha.
Last August 10, I have moved to the dayshift at work after 2 years and almost 5 months in the nightshift. The transfer was brought about by my promotion (tee-hee). My sleeping pattern has not normalized yet since I only get six to seven hours of sleep at night and wake up at around 4 or 5 in the morning. Then I become sleepy between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. I hope my body clock normalizes soon. Anyway, this means that my life is "back to normal". With this, I expect my health to stay good.
I can't wait for the long weekend at the last week of the month as I will be out of town - somewhere down South - and sleep, eat, swim and have fun even if I may have to bring along some office papers with me to work on.
Well, firstly because I didn't have any update on my health, not until now. I have this infected pimple on the edge of my lower lip, that is why that part of my lip is quite swollen. I started taking meds (antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs) to control the infection and keep it from swelling further. I look like Angelina Jolie except that it's my lower lip that's fuller. Hahaha.
Last August 10, I have moved to the dayshift at work after 2 years and almost 5 months in the nightshift. The transfer was brought about by my promotion (tee-hee). My sleeping pattern has not normalized yet since I only get six to seven hours of sleep at night and wake up at around 4 or 5 in the morning. Then I become sleepy between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. I hope my body clock normalizes soon. Anyway, this means that my life is "back to normal". With this, I expect my health to stay good.
I can't wait for the long weekend at the last week of the month as I will be out of town - somewhere down South - and sleep, eat, swim and have fun even if I may have to bring along some office papers with me to work on.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Terminologies clarified
In the past, I've come across news reports and people who use HIV victim/sufferer or AIDS victim/sufferer and even terms like HIV/AIDS, which are actually incorrect.
So to be politically-correct, let me mention here that there is no such term as HIV or AIDS victim or sufferer. They are called person living with HIV (PLHIV) or person living with AIDS (PLWA). This is also meant to be more humane to those who have contracted the virus.
It would also be wise to refrain from writing HIV and AIDS as HIV/AIDS or HIV-AIDS because they are two entirely different matters. HIV refers to the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS, on the other hand, is a condition characterized by progressive failure of one's immune system, thus resulting in life-threatening opportunistic infections (OIs) like pneumonia, tuberculosis, meningitis, and cancers to thrive. It's the last stage of HIV infection.
So to be politically-correct, let me mention here that there is no such term as HIV or AIDS victim or sufferer. They are called person living with HIV (PLHIV) or person living with AIDS (PLWA). This is also meant to be more humane to those who have contracted the virus.
It would also be wise to refrain from writing HIV and AIDS as HIV/AIDS or HIV-AIDS because they are two entirely different matters. HIV refers to the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS, on the other hand, is a condition characterized by progressive failure of one's immune system, thus resulting in life-threatening opportunistic infections (OIs) like pneumonia, tuberculosis, meningitis, and cancers to thrive. It's the last stage of HIV infection.
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