World AIDS Day: What It Means to Me

"My  32 year old son is a testament to living with a dreadful disease. However, he has proven to all of us that  he can still live his life to the fullest, even though he has HIV.

World AIDS Day to me is a sharing of successes, of celebration of life"


Maria
Mother of a PLHIV

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World AIDS Day: What It Means to Me

"World AIDS day is our day of emancipation. The day that we free ourselves from the stigma and correct the myths regarding AIDS.

Since this is the first time I'm going to celebrate the World AIDS Day as a PLHIV, this gave me a better understanding of our responsibilities  to educate the people regarding HIV. 

I used to wear a red ribbon to support AIDS. But now,  wearing a red ribbon will somehow put a face to HIV. A face that shows optimism and courage. "


AnakinPstv
PLHIV

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World AIDS Day: What It Means to Me

"World AIDS Day is a reminder that the fight against the disease is not over. Although wonderful medicines have been discovered that help prevent the disease from rearing it's ugly head, there is still no cure. And people all over the world continue to suffer from HIV/AIDS. 

It's still a long way to totally getting rid of the disease. But it's good to know that, every year, people all over the world unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

We are not alone in this."

RC
Friend of a PLHIV

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World AIDS Day: What it Means to Me

"Dec 1 last year was the same day I was discharged from ICU and it was the same day that my doctor tested me for HIV due to pneumocystis carinii infection.. 

I didn't know that it was World AIDS Day until I was discharged and researched on my condition.

Dec 1 is my anniv of being a PLHIV, 1 year of keeping a secret to my family and frinds... but I can say that it's the healthiest year I can remember.. I took care of myself and had more tym wid my family... "

Anonymous
PLHIV

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World AIDS Day: What it Means to Me

"World AIDS Day is a Day for me to renew my commitment in the cause of preventing the spread of the virus, and caring for those affected by HIV."


Mark Alvin Lim Abrigo
Program Focal Person for HIV 
Philippine Red Cross

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World AIDS Day: What it Means to Me

"Prior to my Partner, M, being diagnosed with Cryptococcal Meningitis and consequently HIV/AIDS last June, HIV/AIDS for me was like some sort of dreaded disease that happened only to the unfortunate few who were engaged in the sex trade or who frequented bath houses or had multiple sex partners. I did not fit into any of those categoris, thus it seemed so far away, something so unlikely and so impossible, something that happened only to “others”. But that all changed in June 2012. Like many of the email and letter senders of Pozziepinoy’s Blog, I too was caught offguard, definitely in denial, frustrated, ignorant, lost and feeling hopeless. I suppose it is a stage almost everyone goes through once diagnosed with HIV or has someone close to them newly diagnosed. But after this initial shock comes learning, recovery and finally acceptance.

This year, WORLD AIDS DAY 2012 will defintiely be diffferent for me. December 1 used to be just my brother’s birthday but now it will be a day of Thanksgiving, Prayer, Hope, and Support for the millions of PLHIV. My partner and I have so much to be Thankful and Hopeful for: Free ARV’s, great Doctors, our health (I am still negative and he is stable), our family, friends, and most specially we still have each other despite what we had gone through."

"A"

Partner of a PLHIV

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World AIDS Day: What it Means To Me

"Working directly with HIV/AIDS, WAD to me  means celebrating with PLHIV's, embracing their fight and plight, rejoicing in their success and happiness and thankful that my involvement gives meaning and purpose to my existence"


ELIZABETH NAVO
HIV/AIDS Advocate  and
Administrative Officer,
AIDS Research Group,
Department of Health
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

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Our Voices NEED to be Heard!

To celebrate WORLD AIDS DAY,

 I am calling on all 

ADVOCATES and PLHIV's 

to 

write a paragraph or two about this topic:

WORLD AIDS DAY:

WHAT IT MEANS TO ME

Please email it to me at

pozziepinoy@yahoo.com

OUR VOICES NEED TO BE HEARD!

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The Love Fund: November 2012 Report

Maram Bartolome of RITM-ARG in Alabang just sent me an email about the patients that have been helped by The Love Fund.

Here is the list for November 2012:

1. HIV with multiple infections:was assisted with laboratory work and medicines
2. HIV patient: was assisted with his transportation fares and medicines (antibiotics and optha medicines)
3. HIV with oral candidiasis: was assisted with fluconazole
4. 4 HIV patients: were assisted with registration fees
5. HIV confined with CMV Retinitis with possible brain infection: was assisted with meds and lab tests

For this month, these are the patients who were assisted by the Love Fund Group (LFG) thru PCSO:

1. HIV with multiple infections
2. HIV with CMV Retinitis
3. HIV with pneumonia 

To all those who have helped and who are still planning to donate to The Love Fund, thank you so much. Always remember that your donations are REALLY going to indigent HIV patients who can't afford treatment.

For more information about The Love Fund, please check out the link: The Love Fund

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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Email 135: Needs Support and Prayers

Hi Pozzie..

I am glad I was able to read your blog about HIV cases. I was surprised when I knew that my brother 26 is HIV positive. Last May he was diagnosed with PTB and last October with pneumonia. This time he was confined in RITM Alabang because he has CMV retinitis. We just got his confirmatory test last Monday Nov 26, 2012 and he is HIV positive.

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Email 134: Urgently Needing Help

Hi Pozziepinoy.

Pls help me. I was diagnosed HIV positive at Manila hygiene clinic last Nov 13 & still waiting for confirmatory result. I'm not feeling well and I just realized that the symptoms I had since Feb were HIV related. Confirmatory result is having delays for some reasons I don't know. 

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Email 133: Feeling Helpless

Good day. 

This is XXX. I feel helpless now. I'm 20 and I'm afraid I was infected by h.i.v. Hindi naman ako nkikipagsex sa kahit sino. Di ko na talaga alam ang gagawin ko, lito-litong na ako. Di ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ng pera pampa consult tsaka gamot. Hope hndi ako infected ng h.i.v. 

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Email 132: Worried Woman

Hello Pozziepinoy.

By the way I'm XXX.  I just really want to know what's going on. 

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Email 131: New Pozzie Needs Direction

Dear Pozzie,

I have been reading your blog since yesterday and it is indeed informative.

I am an HIV+ bi guy and was diagnosed of HIV only last week. There is nothing I can do right now but move forward and make sure I will always be healthy. Therefore, I want to know the next steps I should take.

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Email 130: ARV's in RITM-ARG

Hi Pozziepinoy,

I was not able to go to RITM-ARG as I ran out of time. As expected, I was only able to get for one month supply of ARV from San Lazaro Hospital.  I will be coming back this December to get my ARV again.  Hopefully this time I will be able to go to RITM-ARG.

Is there a specific day where ARV are distributed to patients in RITM-ARG?  Im having problems because ARV are only given to patients in SLH every thursday and the doctor won't allow me to get it on other days. 

Regards

XXX

POZZIEPINOY'S REPLY

Hi XXX,

Thank you for your email again.

You can get refills for ARV's in RITM-ARG everyday except during the weekends.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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Email 129: Which Hub is Best?

Hi Pozziepinoy,

San po ba mas magandang maging pasyente, sa San Lazaro or RITM-ARG?

Kelangan po bang magpaadmit if magte-take na ng ARV? Thanks!

(Translation: Where is the best to be a patient, in San Lazaro or RITM-ARG?

Does one need to be admitted when one is about to take ARV's?

Thanks!)

XXX

POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE

Hi XXX,

Thank you for your email.

Like what I always advice to people, chose an HIV/AIDS treatment hub that is near you so accessibility to lab tests and medicines are easier. If you are in Manila area, best to go to San Lazaro Hospital or PGH-SAGIP. If you are from the south, go to RITM-ARG. However, if you opt to go to RITM-ARG, I can assist you. The staff there are so friendly and professional.

On your second question, you don't need to be admitted to a hospital if you are about to take ARV's. Once you have been prescribed with the medicines, you will be sent home and you will be adviced to observe for 2 weeks for possible side effects. This is what they call the trial period of ARV prescription.

I hope I was able to answer your questions. Feel free to email me again if you have other concerns.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

Read More