Second Test
I had my second test last month.. the results took a lot longer this time to come out.
So my latest readings are:
CD4: 476
CD4 %: 21
VL: 1.2mil
The VL part is scary as it has increased since my last test.. My doctor advised to start med but at the same time had reservations too, so am I.
I guess its the psychological factor to begin med for life, that is the greatest hurdle for me. I cannot bring myself yet to fully accept that yet. Even though I have been taking daily supplements, but that's different. I have on many days did not take the supplements, but with med, I know there's no excuse.
The fact that first-line med is free in Malaysia is really a good news, because fellow pozzies in Singapore pays SGD1k a month for them, something I totally cannot afford. God bless us all.
However, the government cut funding to Malaysian Aids Council and as a direct result, The Safe Clinic is winding up operations of providing free HIV testing and counselling. The best part is it's open at night hence those of us working can still go after work to see the doctors. I started off going there, by the way.
In government hospital, the cost of CD4 and VL tests amounts to RM400; which was the same rate I pay at The Safe Clinic. I am not sure about other hospitals, but then, I am also not discounting private hospital which I am told it's at least twice the price, half the wait(queue).
That's RM1,200 per annum for the rest of my life, provided it doesn't increase. I read somewhere that the cost of HIV treatment and related can cost SGD800,000 in an average pozzie lifetime, that's RM2million. Where in the world can one afford, right?
Sigh. But I never give up the hope that one day, in this lifetime, that scientist will be able to find a cure. So close yet so far. I have faith in them, and let us all pray this will come true - however costly it is,, it's worth the price to pay if it can cure.
:)
Happy weekend.
So my latest readings are:
CD4: 476
CD4 %: 21
VL: 1.2mil
The VL part is scary as it has increased since my last test.. My doctor advised to start med but at the same time had reservations too, so am I.
I guess its the psychological factor to begin med for life, that is the greatest hurdle for me. I cannot bring myself yet to fully accept that yet. Even though I have been taking daily supplements, but that's different. I have on many days did not take the supplements, but with med, I know there's no excuse.
The fact that first-line med is free in Malaysia is really a good news, because fellow pozzies in Singapore pays SGD1k a month for them, something I totally cannot afford. God bless us all.
However, the government cut funding to Malaysian Aids Council and as a direct result, The Safe Clinic is winding up operations of providing free HIV testing and counselling. The best part is it's open at night hence those of us working can still go after work to see the doctors. I started off going there, by the way.
In government hospital, the cost of CD4 and VL tests amounts to RM400; which was the same rate I pay at The Safe Clinic. I am not sure about other hospitals, but then, I am also not discounting private hospital which I am told it's at least twice the price, half the wait(queue).
That's RM1,200 per annum for the rest of my life, provided it doesn't increase. I read somewhere that the cost of HIV treatment and related can cost SGD800,000 in an average pozzie lifetime, that's RM2million. Where in the world can one afford, right?
Sigh. But I never give up the hope that one day, in this lifetime, that scientist will be able to find a cure. So close yet so far. I have faith in them, and let us all pray this will come true - however costly it is,, it's worth the price to pay if it can cure.
:)
Happy weekend.
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