A stricter CD4 Count Schedule at RITM

Hi guys! How are you! Yeah I know I promised to update this blog every once in a while when I am not busy but what can I do? I am busy. Yet it is still my duty to update this site in every important things that I think could help my fellow pozzies in their battle.. and ofcourse for those who are in any ways intersted how a life of HIV positive is being lived.

 

Anyways...

 



Earlier this year, I visited RITM for my semi annual CD4 count. So I have to wake up in the morning... and I mean early morning because I have to be there at 7AM... I am now contemplating about the CD4 sched in RITM because I forgot the time schedule that they allow patients to have their count. I believe its around 7-8 AM every weekdays except Wednesday.

Now for the real story, I was originally scheduled last December, but various activities prohibited my from doing so so I have to make it this year. Apparently, they did not allowed me because they said I have to stick with my schedule and for whatever reason that is, I need to adhere to 2x count a year. If
I have to take my count This year, that means that the next count that Ill be having is December. So I will miss my Annual Medical Examination in June where it consists of almost entire set of laboratory tests. I also have the option to pay or personally shoulder the expense amounting to 6K plus.
It is quite an amount so I decided to take my test in June instead, well the last count that I had last June is pretty impressive so I think I will not be in any risk if I have to skip this session. It is also one of the advise that I got from the nurse.

I cannot object about it. It is my fault. The government is paying for my expense. I only wish that they had informed me earlier on so I could have made  a wiser decision. Anyways whats done is done. Also, I think I am not yet emotionally prepared if ever I learned that I do not have a favorable result in the count.

Well I am hoping that my count in June is still above the minimum normal count. Considering that my meds is already in the second line, I need to take a good grip into it. POSITIVE THINKING POT.


Guys I appreciate if there are any followers of this blog to leave a comment once in a while. Sometimes I think that I am the only one reading my own blog. That could motivate me to write perhaps :)

Yours,

Potchini2

Its December!

 

 

Hello guys! Miss me? I myself was surprised that the last entry I made in this blog was last Sept 15! For real??? And Ive been thinking all the time what to share with you! So it took me 3 months to do it? Nah! Actually while writing this blog I dont have an idea what to post yet and Ill let spontaneity dictates!

Its actually 4:49 AM now and I dont know what is happening in my body clock since I always wake up in the middle of the night and finds it hard to go back to bed again. I dont want to think much about it and try to relate it to Paranormal Activity because Im sure that wont give a lot of help. So instead of thinking about these crazy things I decided! My blog! Yes my blog!

I have been receiving a lot of messages and feedbacks from different people that they have been waiting for my updates. What I always tell them is that I dont have something "new" yet to share. But sometime in my solitude I wonder, do I really have nothing to share or am I just building a lot of walls towards giving out my identity. I heard that one of the positive blogger is identified by his random follower. I cant get the idea why you need to create an effort to identify a person who is trying to be anonimous?! I mean definitely in our case, we need to keep our individuality in private and we are blogging not for anything else, but to help the community in our little own ways. I guess I need not reiterate and common sense dictates that let us just give that respect to people who doesnt want to be identified and just continue their social works. Makes sense right? I guess this is one of the major reason why I failed to have this blog updated as often as I like it to be.

Still, I decided that this blog is helping me too. It helps me release stress. Also, I guess the page view says it all! I am quite surprised that the number is still growing despite my absence these past few months. This doesnt only mean thats my page is starting to get some attention but it also means that there are a lot of people trying to find answers and they are hoping that I could help them through my blog. This blog is not only dedicated to inform people about HIV but to educate others how an HIV positive guy is still living a normal or moreso, a much fabulous life. Joking. Well, half meant... hmmm, ok since you dont know me and you cant dispute that then I will claim it. FABULOUS it is!

December, I went to RITM to get a refill of my ARV when suddenly the attending nurse threw a lot of questions. When did you first started with ARV? Am I still smoking? And all those questions which I thought not being normally asked when just getting a refill. Long talks have gone by and he mentioned that I need to get my CD4 count this December. CRAP! I am not ready yet. I think I am not yet in full condition because of the stress that I am going through and I was planning for January to have the count. I am quite afraid everytime Ill get my CD4 count because it is like a test if youre passing or failing. Well, after I started ARV I have good count and I dont really want to stress myself out thinking if Im still doing a good job. What if my CD4 dropped, it will ony throw me to bed and be depressed for couple of months. But this is the life that I have now, being monitored should be a part of the lifestyle that I should get used to. And come to think of it, lucky me that I am still in a perfect health condition when I discovered I have these little monsters. BTW you monsters, its December now! I think its time for you to get of my system, all of you! LOL

Going back to that nurse, he started telling me that I should be careful because I am already in my second line of ARV. If ever that my regimen fails again Philhealth cannot accomodate it and I have to import my own drugs and all that I earn now is not enough to cover that expense. Well nurse, THANKS A LOT! I dont see the purpose of hammering that in my mind if I dont see the benefit of you telling that to me. I like to answer right at that moment, "are you telling me that I am a hopeless dying freak that I am holding on to my last piece of string to live?". How was that even helpful? Did he wanted me to go to bed, do a fetal position and be depressed? I know he wanted to warn me and I hope those kind of things should be solicited. I have been doing my very best in this regimen. I have not missed a pill in 1.5 years of taking it although sometimes I am late. But I think Im doing good! But for a nurse who should be helping us and guiding us through our journey, it is my humble opinion that I think he should think of reconsidering his ways.

Enough of this! My Alarm just went wild and I need to prepare for office. I should go for now and I hope I can update this blog as often as I could.

BY THE WAY...

It si December! YEHEY! Only positive things are welcome! This is the time to spend for family, friends and loved ones. Let us celebrate the season with love and with a thankful heart how we are saved by our Lord Jesus Christ. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!

Yours,

Potchini2