Picture it...Chelsea, NYC..Callen Lourde Health Center..1991...diagnosed with AIDS and Wasting..
Sitting alone on a chair, crying , being told i was seroconverting at that moment. With over 4 million plus copies of the virus in my system..I was put on antivirals immediately.

I had my Dr run the test, just routine, got a call from his office that he wanted to see me. I went in and he told me I tested +. I did a mail in test, I was sure that his test was wrong. It came back +. I couldn't function, I cried all the time, took off 2 weeks from work. I broke up my relationship with a wonderful man, because I didn't want to poz him. I felt lost, scared and thought I was going to die soon. I didn't go on meds right away, until I had 600,000 copies in my blood. I should have never waited. I think that is the reason, I can not get to a "truly" undetectable level now. Here I am 22 years later.

I was shocked. But at the same time, I was relieved to find out why I was so sick. Hospitalized for 3 months with encephalopathy. Meds made me better. I figured I can't change what happened, no point dwelling on the past. Smile and look forward to the future. 😁🌞

I wasn’t really surprised when I was diagnosed. I already suspected due to weight loss, night sweats, etc.. However I will admit those three letters, HIV, kept echoing in my head. I couldn’t really hear what else my doctor said. I was in the AIDS stage when I was diagnosed, so I was terrified it might be too late. I told my husband, parents and siblings . They have been super supportive. I think my biggest fear was being rejected and dying alone. Now I am going to a Ryan White Clinic, taking my meds and doing very well. I’m glad I discovered this group especially since there is no local support group.

Well since my first test was negative cause I took the first test 3 weeks after exposure ,which was not enough time for my body to produce antibodies,to be positive. Second test 6 weeks later tested positive. My doctor 👨‍⚕️ and I will never forget this:he says look I’ve been treating people for 25 years for hiv consider yourself lucky you got it now. Take the damm pill once a day and you will die an old man.see you in 4 months and he walked out.he was abrupt but he made me feel better at least for that moment.