(no subject)
I guess I just need to talk. I have a lot going on inside my head and it all stems from something on the radio. This probably won't make any sense at all.
I get into my car after class and turn the radio on (very typical behaviour). It's turned to the station that usually has a loud crazy night dj. I hear his voice saying this is a serious topic. Then he plays part of a conversation from a person that just called. I get goose bumps and start crying.
Basically, the situation is this: A girl has been with a guy for 7 years. She finds out recently that she has HIV that is full blown AIDS and has 6 months to live. He knew that he had the virus and didn't tell her. He got it from cheating on her. She had no idea. She called the radio station because she wanted support. She wants to kill the guy. He knew that he had it, but didn't tell her.
I cried the entire way home. I go can on both sides of the story.
On one side don't trust anyone but yourself. Assume that everyone has something and protect yourself. Even after it's been that long get tested. Even if she wasn't doing high risk sexual behavior, you never know what your counterpart could be doing. You can never be too protected.
On the other hand, this is like murder. He had it and failed to inform her. He could have infected other people. Should she be pissed? Yes, pissed and every emotion known to man. Should she want to kill him? Yes. Should she? No. She should file something with the police and spread the word. She should savior the time that she has left. Do everything that she's ever wanted to do. Live life to the fullest. If she lives longer than expected that she'll have more time with her loved ones. If not, at least she spent her remaining time as best she could. Should what he's done be considered murder? She says that she wants him to die before she does because he doesn't deserve to live. What happens to him? He goes to the bar finds a girl to take home has coitus and doesn't use protection. BAM, another person infected. He obviously does not care.
The thing is, we know that HIV is not a new thing. We know the reprocusions of it and know there is no cure. There are medications to prolong life, but nothing is guarenteed. Usually the medications stop working. It's an awful thing.
I'm not sure what the point of this entry is other than to vent. I see the situation on so many different sides. If you can't trust the one you love, who can you trust? Why can't routine screening for this be offered? Why is it something that you have to seek out? Most places will do it if requested, but it's not openly offered. Why can't you go in for your annual exam and get your pap, breast exam, and HIV screening. I cannot even begin to tell you how many people are offered this test and decline. They simply say, "I'm not at risk." How on Earth do you know that?? You think you're not at risk. I offered 2 HIV tests to my patients today. They both declined. Any insurance will cover the test. Even if you have to pay out of pocket for it it's not a price that makes it an unatainable test.
I feel so many emotions for her. She has a well paying job complete with career. Her friends aren't really supporting her. If your friends don't have your back, who does? I cried for another person that I don't know, but yet has influenced my life. Regardless, what she's done tonight has been powerful. She's spread the word to Detroit and the surrounding areas. She's made people realize that this isn't something that just happens to other people. It happens everywhere in every community. She's now a statistic with a name and a situation.
I get into my car after class and turn the radio on (very typical behaviour). It's turned to the station that usually has a loud crazy night dj. I hear his voice saying this is a serious topic. Then he plays part of a conversation from a person that just called. I get goose bumps and start crying.
Basically, the situation is this: A girl has been with a guy for 7 years. She finds out recently that she has HIV that is full blown AIDS and has 6 months to live. He knew that he had the virus and didn't tell her. He got it from cheating on her. She had no idea. She called the radio station because she wanted support. She wants to kill the guy. He knew that he had it, but didn't tell her.
I cried the entire way home. I go can on both sides of the story.
On one side don't trust anyone but yourself. Assume that everyone has something and protect yourself. Even after it's been that long get tested. Even if she wasn't doing high risk sexual behavior, you never know what your counterpart could be doing. You can never be too protected.
On the other hand, this is like murder. He had it and failed to inform her. He could have infected other people. Should she be pissed? Yes, pissed and every emotion known to man. Should she want to kill him? Yes. Should she? No. She should file something with the police and spread the word. She should savior the time that she has left. Do everything that she's ever wanted to do. Live life to the fullest. If she lives longer than expected that she'll have more time with her loved ones. If not, at least she spent her remaining time as best she could. Should what he's done be considered murder? She says that she wants him to die before she does because he doesn't deserve to live. What happens to him? He goes to the bar finds a girl to take home has coitus and doesn't use protection. BAM, another person infected. He obviously does not care.
The thing is, we know that HIV is not a new thing. We know the reprocusions of it and know there is no cure. There are medications to prolong life, but nothing is guarenteed. Usually the medications stop working. It's an awful thing.
I'm not sure what the point of this entry is other than to vent. I see the situation on so many different sides. If you can't trust the one you love, who can you trust? Why can't routine screening for this be offered? Why is it something that you have to seek out? Most places will do it if requested, but it's not openly offered. Why can't you go in for your annual exam and get your pap, breast exam, and HIV screening. I cannot even begin to tell you how many people are offered this test and decline. They simply say, "I'm not at risk." How on Earth do you know that?? You think you're not at risk. I offered 2 HIV tests to my patients today. They both declined. Any insurance will cover the test. Even if you have to pay out of pocket for it it's not a price that makes it an unatainable test.
I feel so many emotions for her. She has a well paying job complete with career. Her friends aren't really supporting her. If your friends don't have your back, who does? I cried for another person that I don't know, but yet has influenced my life. Regardless, what she's done tonight has been powerful. She's spread the word to Detroit and the surrounding areas. She's made people realize that this isn't something that just happens to other people. It happens everywhere in every community. She's now a statistic with a name and a situation.