Living with HIV in the Philippines: This Too Will Pass!

I have been counselling and assisting PLHIV's for a year now and everyday that someone shares his life with me is such a blessing. I am a stranger to all of them, without a real name and without a face, but somehow, there is honesty in all our conversations, a truthfulness that sometimes deeper than a relationship between friends and family. Sincerity to help is the key that reaches down to the deep recesses of somebody's heart and mind. It is the invisible arm that one can put around somebody's shoulder needing to be touched and comforted.

From the time that this blog has been created, it has helped thousands of people seeking help with their concerns about their HIV status, their emotional and physical health. Thousand have also flocked to get tested for HIV in the testing centers because of this blog as people get aware of the facts about the disease. Because of this blog, thousand have been given directions to the different treatment hubs in the country for their HIV treatment.

I have been a witness to most of the struggles based on the stories that people have shared over emails and over our conversations on the phones. As most PLHIV's know, the hardest periods are the first steps, from taking the HIV test, to getting the initial laboratory tests, to the trial period of the ARV's. During these processes, acceptance is deemed necessary to focus on one's health and to find inner strength. Love and support are needed to combat all negativism, to enable the individual to be fully conscious of the things that he needs to do. Everything, in most of the cases, happens during a period of one month. Then everything starts to settle in. Everything starts to come back to its normal state.

I am glad that almost everybody that the blog has assisted before are quiet now. This is so important to me. For me it is safe to assume that they are living their lives despite having HIV. They came to me when they were needing and now that they are quiet, I bet they don't have HIV related problems anymore. This gladdens my heart.

Like what I always tell people, this too will pass. The initial struggles of HIV can be overcome by the strength of mind and spirit, the person's willingness to face the obstacles and the love for oneself and those around. Having HIV is a real shocker initially, but once you look at how bright the future is for you and start doing the necessary steps in making yourself healthy and productive, you can begin to shock HIV back by living a normal and healthier life once again.

For more stories of Hope and Positivism, please check out these other blog entries:

1. There are Reasons to Smile

2. We Are All in This Together

3. New Life Ahead

4. Life's A Piece of Cake

5. On My HIV Journey

6. A Story of Love and Courage

7. My Less Dramatic HIV Story

8. My Story

9. Another PLHIV Story

10. A PLHIV Shares His Story

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.