tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747340140125877148.post465327750380782752..comments2023-04-16T08:12:02.051-07:00Comments on The Gay Blade: Catching Up gaybladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03225740617886273865noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747340140125877148.post-37106112528369035012012-11-03T14:11:51.559-07:002012-11-03T14:11:51.559-07:00Don't forget the AIDS Foundation offers free c...Don't forget the AIDS Foundation offers free counselling to people like you, who are friends and family, so that could be useful if you want some support yourself.<br /><br />Living with hiv really is nothing like what it used to be. The physical and medical side of it is really well managed now, but dealing with the guilt and stigma that typically happens when you are diagnosed is the hard thing I think. <br /><br />I think he's wise not telling people at the moment. <br /><br />But it's not a death sentence, it's not the end for him, I hope he will be able to see that.gaybladehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03225740617886273865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747340140125877148.post-57965898198878455152012-11-03T06:17:36.872-07:002012-11-03T06:17:36.872-07:00Thanks Mike, I will contact Body Positive. Only a ...Thanks Mike, I will contact Body Positive. Only a few of us know his HIV status and we intend to keep this information between us. It is going to be a whole new different world for all of us but I am sure he will make it through. <br /><br />Thanks again for your advice.stormandphoenixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01887483023054277168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747340140125877148.post-69377496105047011172012-11-02T14:42:42.883-07:002012-11-02T14:42:42.883-07:00Hi Storm - I'm sorry to hear about your friend...Hi Storm - I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Are you in NZ? Because Body Positive exists here and can give your friend support <br />http://www.bodypositive.org.nz/Pages/Contact_Us/<br /><br />It is run by HIV+ people for HIV+ people.<br /><br />You could also try the NZ AIDS Foundation - they have support and free counselling for anyone infected or affected, so they can offer you support as well.<br /><br />Otherwise I think it's just a matter of being a good friend, listening, being there.<br /><br />I didn't lead a particularly heathy life, I was just very lucky that I was able to hang on till the new medications came around - they make all the difference. Without western medicine I'd be dead. So I hope you're friend is getting good medical support. <br />Happy to talk more about this whenevever you want.gaybladehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03225740617886273865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747340140125877148.post-76160427337397374592012-11-02T03:44:39.354-07:002012-11-02T03:44:39.354-07:00Hi Mike, I have been following your blog for a lon...Hi Mike, I have been following your blog for a long time and this is the first time I am leaving a comment after reading an article. Mike, I don't know anyone who is HIV+ outside of the internet world and I am really needing some support. One of my best friends has just found out that he is HIV+ and is going through a very hard time right right. How can I do my best to support him? What negative effects can he expect? How did you manage to live such a healthy life when a doctor told you that you only had 2 years to live? I have just realised how uneducated I am in terms of HIV, is there a support group that I can contact for more information? Any help would be greatly appreciated.stormandphoenixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01887483023054277168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747340140125877148.post-56959712361678432732012-10-31T16:36:15.954-07:002012-10-31T16:36:15.954-07:00This reminds me - especially the "but ... the...This reminds me - especially the "but ... they what?" conversation - almost verbatim of conversations I've had recently here. So many people seem floored by the idea that at one point X happened. I'm often left thinking... "Well, it's not about whether or not it makes sense to you it's about whether or not it <i>happened</i>..." Which seems to be a harder lesson sometimes. <br /><br />Because none of it made sense then, but we accepted a lot of it as written. Which, awesome to see the change. <br /><br />As usual, awesome entry. ;)Shenfallowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627626320729152514noreply@blogger.com