It will be my 6th month check up with Dr. D tomorrow. I already texted her last Wednesday to confirm if she’ll be coming this Friday and she said she would. I’ll be off from work in the morning and I already told my coworkers that I will have my “general check up” tomorrow.
So like what I used to do before, I will be preparing all my tables again and all my questions for her. Well, I guess there’s nothing to put in the tables yet except for my observations before, but nonetheless, I will still give her my own records. I will also present to her my vaccination record and if she tells me that I need some more vaccinations, then I will gladly do them.
Here is my status list:
- 100% adherence to ARV’s, no late or missed intakes. I take all my ARV’s at 10pm.
- Still on cotrimoxazole 800mg OID and azithromycin 1250mg once a week. With Azithromycin, I still have diarrhea after taking it since it is very strong.
- My tongue is pinkish, no oral thrush at all.
- A little dry skin but it can be counteracted by application of a moisturizing lotion.
- No dizziness even hours after taking efavirenz. Still taking all my ARV’s on an empty stomach (4 hours after my last meal).
- I feel itchy only with drinking wine or any alcoholic beverage.
- I am back to work and has been working for 2 months now. I work daily from Monday to Saturday, usually for 10 hours a day.
- I can go out to public places, go malling even on a crowded place without getting sick.
- Already travelled to Asia on a plane.
- Still have a strong positive outlook.
My Health History (Just for the last 3 months):
- Had 4 vaccinations in RITM-ARG last January. Will have my last Hepa B vaccination in June.
- Had slight sore eyes on my right eye last January but subsided fast.
- Had slight chest pain this February which turned out to be more like a heartburn.
- Had experienced slight swelling on the dorsum of my right hand after working out which subsided within the day it happened.
- No diarrhea, no fever, no difficulty in breathing, no coughs, flu nor body weakness.
- Lost 10 pounds already from working.
- Now eats 3-4x a day.
- Had my eye check-up this February and the ophthalmologist said everything is fine.
Questions that I need to ask my doctors:
- Other vaccinations that I need.
- Truth about the rumors that Global Fund is extending for another 2 years.
- If I need to have a chest x-ray since my pulmonologist likes to see me and compare the one I am going to take with my previous ones.
- When I am going to stop my cotri and azithro meds.
- If it’s ok for me to have minor skin surgical operations and if anesthesia or antibiotics which will be given by my dermatologist are ok with my ARV’s.
- Since I want to help financially some people living with HIV/AIDS, how can I give voluntary contributions?
I am quite nervous and really excited to report my current status to Dr. D. I do wish the lab tests will give positive results, but if not, I still have an entire lifetime to wait. Anyway, what’s important is what I am feeling now... and I feel great, physically, emotionally, socially and vocationally!
So tomorrow, I know I am ready!
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