TRR Support Group Talk: Manila Chapter

The Project Red Ribbon's Support Group Talk has started to decentralize it's sessions this month in order to reach out to more PLHIV.  We now have 4 chapters in Metro Manila: Manila Chapter. Manila-Central Chapter, Makati Chapter and Manila-South Chapter.

The Manila Chapter started 2 weeks ago under the supervision of the TRR Care Manager Yomi. Our special guest was Ate Elen of Babae Plus who shared her wisdom to the group. The 1st Manila Chapter talk was held in RITM-Satellite Clinic in Malate in coordination with Dr. Rossana Ditangco.

(Faces were blurred for privacy purposes)

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

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

-Pozziepinoy-

Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST?? 

Check this link:

CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

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Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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

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Email 354: OFW Job Concerns

Hi Pozzie.

Good day, Kabayan, at this very moment, sobra akong depressed, for what is going in my life right now, I am working abroad in the field of food,

then I am having problem of my medical examination this year, because the doctor said I am HIV infected, I wanna give up lalo na sa ako lang ang   

back in the Philippines, and mapapauwi ako, ang tanong ko lang sa ngayon kung may trabahong pwedeng mapasukan sa katulad ko???

I am very happy to hear from your reply, thankyou....

XXX

TRANSLATION

Hi Pozzie.

Good day, fellowman. At this moment, I am so depressed for what is going on with my life right now. I am working abroad in the field of food then I am having a problem with my medical examination this year because the doctor said that I am infected with HIV. I wanna give up as I will be sent home to the Philippines. My question is right now, is there a job that I can find for someone like me?

I will be very happy to hear for a reply. Thank you.

XXX

POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email.

I understand what you are feeling right now as I have given guidance to a lot of OFW's who had been diagnosed while working abroad. I know the fears and frustrations. But to go directly to your question, there are a lot of jobs for you here. HIV is not a hindrance to employment and the HIV test is not a requirement for one to get a job here. 

I hope I was able to answer your concern. Feel free to email me again if you have other questions. Also, when you come back to the Philippines, please feel to call me at 0916-286-2066.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy

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Email 261: Negative But Wants Tests

Hi Pozzie, can a negative patient get a cd4 and vl testing or is it only for positive patients?

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Process of HIV Treatment in the Philippines

Here is the process of HIV treatment in the Philippines:

A. Take the HIV Test.

     1. If the result is Non-Reactive (Negative), repeat the test after 3 months. If still non-reactive, you can repeat the test after 1 year.

     2. If the result is Reactive (Positive):

         a. Go to the nearest HIV Treatment Hub

         b. Take the initial lab tests required including CD4. Most hubs wont require the initial Viral Load (VL) but it is best that you get it for baseline information.

B. Result of Labs

    1. If you have infections, get treatment

    2. If your CD4 is above 350, come back after 6 months. 

    3. If your CD4 is below 350, ARV's will be prescribed:

        a. You will undergo a 2 week trial period. If there are no adverse effects (side effects), you will continue with the ARV's. If There are adverse effects, your HIv doctor will change your ARV's.

        b. Prophylaxis is usually given if CD4 is below 200.

C. ARV Treatment

    1. If you don't have adverse effects from your ARV's after the trial period, you will be given 1 to 3 month supply of your ARV's.

    2. Come back to the treatment hub for your refill of your ARV's a week before you run out.

   

D. CD4 and VL Testing

    1. CD4 test is repeated every 6 months (after the last CD4 count)

    2. Viral Load Test is repeated every year. The VL test should be taken together with the initial CD4 test and should be taken a year after the last VL.

Here is the Flow Chart of the Process:

"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

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

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Email 92: HIV Test and Lab Test Fees in RITM

Hi Pozzie,

I searched this RITM and it is interesting.  I am planning to have my HIV testing within this week.  I know it is free but I have read that I need to pay the initial labs and CD4.  How much do I pay for that para makapaghanda ko ng pera nakakahiya nman po baka pagpunta ko jan sa hub eh kulangin ko sa payment. 

Thanks. I hope for your immediate response.

XXX

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POSITIBO Part 1

In Ocober 2012, Front Row's POSITIBO, a documentary about PLHIV's, was featured again in GMA News TV.

It is full hour show and apologize for giving this in parts only.

"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 YouTube

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

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PP Prayer's List 11

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The Love Fund: October 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 October 2012:

1. HIV with PTB:was assisted with TB meds and vaccinations
2. HIV: asssited with meds and transportation
3. HIV who was confined: was assisted with IV fluids and meds
4. HIV with suspected cryptomeningitis: assisted with all laboratory tests and meds
5. 2 HIV patients: was assited with registration fees
6. HIV: was assisted with topical cream
7. HIV: was assisted with meds and transportation for 2 days and food allowance
8. HIV who was confined: was assisted with medicines, CSR charges and ABG revenue upon admission
9. HIV: was assisted with meds and transportation

For this month, a patient was assisted by the Love Fund Group (LFG) thru PCSO:

1. HIV with multiple infections who was confined in RITM for 2 months, got his pledge letter from PCSO worth P130,000. The LFG provided all the medical documents and one of the staff personally went to PCSO to be interviewed on behalf of the patient.

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 84: On Tuberculosis and Hepatitis

Hi Pozziepinoy,

Ask ko lang, kasi my brother-in-law is HIV positive. He also has TB (tuberculosis) pero nag take na siya ng gamot sa TB halos 1 month na, ung SGPT at SGOT results nya sobrang taas, pero wala naman daw sinabi ang doctor kung may hepatitis ba siya. I am just worried kasi my 10 year old son is palaging nasa bahay nila at palagi nyang binibigyan ng natitira niyang pagkain. May tendency ba na mahawa ung anak ko?

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Email 83: Worried Woman

Hello! 

I am 30 years old. Female. I had sex with a foreigner without using a condom. Sabi naman nya na test na sya many times and negative naman daw. Pero feeling ko na naparanoid ako. (TRANSLATION: He said that he got tested many times and he is negative. But I feel paranoid).

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Donate to TRR Love Fund

A. The primary objective of the TRR Love Fund is to help the indigent and less fortunate people living with HIV/AIDS. The primary mission of TRR Love Fund is to provide medical support for treatment of opportunistic infections (OI), laboratory tests and hospitalization costs of ill patients. The project accepts cash and/or in-kind donations.

Everyday, The Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundation Inc. (TRR) assists PLHIV brothers and sisters in different HIV and AIDS Treatment hubs who are confined in the hospital, needing medical and financial support for their hospitalization bills, medicines and lab tests. Some don't have relatives, some families can't afford the continuance of care.

Now with TRR Love Fund, YOU CAN HELP. With TRR Love Fund, YOU CAN HELP US HELP THEM!

B. The TRR Love Fund also provides assistance to the TRR Kalinga Program. It is the volunteer arm of The Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundation. Our volunteers have the heart and time to help but they are limited because of financial constraints. Through TRR Love Fund, we can assist these HEROES to give a helping hand to those who are in need: for counseling, guidance and assistance in the different HIV and AIDS Treatment Hubs.

I know everyone of you wants to help, but don't have the time. You can now help others by donating!

If you want to donate:

1. Deposit your cash donations to:

                BDO Savings Account Number: 7070065229

                Account Name:  Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundation Inc

            

2. Also accepting donations in kind.

    a. Medicines for OI Prophylaxis

        i. Cotrimoxazole -800mg

        ii. Azithromycin -250mg and 500 mg

    b. Milk formula and diapers for 1-3 year old patients
    c. Fluconazole (for oral thrush)
    d. anti TB medicines
 
4. We also accept medical supply donations:
    a. face masks
    b. wheelchair (new or used)
    

For inquiries please email at info@projectredribbon.org

Monthly updates on the beneficiaries of the LOVE FUND will be posted in my blog.

Thank you so much!

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO DONORS

CASH DONATIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTLY DEPOSITED  
ONLY TO THE BANCO DE ORO ACCOUNT SPECIFIED ABOVE 

For complaints, please email at info@projectredribbon.org

© 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 78: One More OFW Story

Hi Pozziepinoy,

Just had my screening test yesterday at XXX hospital and the result is reactive. They took enough samples anyways for confirmatory test, was told that I have to wait for  a week or more.

Just like with the previous email sender i am an OFW too working in XXX. I also rushed back here in Philippines last week when the HIV test result from one clinic I had had been pending for a day. I got the hint from there. I've heard of stories with HIV positive guys being accosted by police to airport to be deported.

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CBCP HIV AVP

© 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 77: Climbing ALT and AST

Hi Pozziepinoy, 

I am very thankful to God for coming across your blog.

 I am writing to ask you about the ARVs which I started a month ago. I have the same set -efavirenz, lamivudine, and tenofovir. I have adhered to the scheduled timing and dosage for a month and thank God I have not encountered the side effects except for the dizziness in the morning due to efavirenz.

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Email 76: Fever with Nevirapine

Hi Pozziepinoy,

I've been inspired reading your stories this made me send you an email.

I was on the trial period of taking nevirapine and on the 8yh day I felt an adverse side effect. I was struck with high fever for the past 3 days. 39'C was my temp most of the time. I stopped

nevirapine and continued the other drugs. 

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Email 75: Afraid and Ashamed

Dear Mr./Ms. Pozzie,

I stumbled on your blog while googling "I'm scared that I might have HIV" and I find it very educational. 

I know that the most accurate solution to my email's question would be to undergo a test but I just want to hear what you have to say. 

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An Explanatory Report on HIV and AIDS in the Philippines

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Asking For Your Prayers

I am asking again for all your prayers. Another pozzie will be confined in one of the hospitals tomorrow. The friend who communicated with me said that the pozzie is so weak now and he feels that he needs to be confined in a hospital and be seen by HIV specialists. I communicated with the people of the hospital and they are expecting him tomorrow.

I know there are good hearted people out there who will help me say a prayer for him tonight and for the next days until he becomes well again. I know if we join our hands and our hearts, he will recover soon.

Like what I always say, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, and NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!

In behalf of the PLHIV and all his friends who love him so much, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

© 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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First Year Anniversary!

Today is my first year anniversary! I can't believe how fast time flies! For one whole year, I've been taking my ARV's and for one whole year, I have never been sick, not even a simple cold. I can say that my immune system has already rebounded. The numbers from my labs have all shown it. I am so happy!

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