Living The Pozitive LIfe

I have since transferred to Tanglin Hospital near Bukit Aman after the last episode of drama I encountered in University Malaya Medical Centre.  The nurses and doctor there are so much nicer and friendlier compared to UMMC. Plus, it's just a 5 minutes drive away from my workplace. Hence "straying" wasn't much of a problem.  I had my consultation done a fortnight ago and was scheduled for blood sampling this morning. My appointment was scheduled for 8am. My physician actually called up the hospital and I overheard some of the conversation noting that she has scheduled me for blood taking this morning.  The nurses then scrambled around the waiting area looking for a Chinese man, and when they spot me, I guess they know I was already there. The other patients don't really fit into the descriptions of sorts. Then they ushered me into the assistant's room and the formalities were done. Then they gave me the lab papers and got me to the lab at the nex...

I mentioned once that there's this rude doctor from The Safe Clinic that I hate. Not only was he rude, I find him unprofessional and he is mentoring an angmoh medical student, that's equally as rude. Here's why. My check-up was due actually, and since Safe Clinic has gone for good, this doctor, let's call him DR I, referred me back to himself at University Malaya Medical Centre which also happens to be one of the country's elite medical university.. Since consultation timing is only in the afternoon, I literally did nothing the whole day and went to the hospital at lunch time. It's a fucking clinic, nobody tells me I have to have my blood taken first, wait for the results and then come back many days later to see the doctor. Ok, this is a government hospital so it's fine. UNDERSTANDABLE . TOO MANY FUCKING IDIOTS AROUND. After 2 hours of waiting, they asked me to just go have a chat with DR I, but since I have not done my blood test, there's no ...

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...

The Safe Clinic is closing for good. Not sure why, but I am guessing it’s due to the cut in funding from Malaysian Aids Council. Everyone is affected. Moving on, I will be doing my tests either in government hospitals or private hospitals. I want to keep my options open because in time to come, government hospitals will keep me alive in terms of fees and charges while private hospitals will save me time but not money. The queue at government hospital is (I heard) a whole day to get tests and/or medication, while it is costly in private hospital. I have overcome the traumatic acceptance period and my future worry is the medication. But I guess I will only get to there when it comes.. For everyday I am alive, I harbor hopes that a cure is possible in our lifetime. Yes they will. Only time can tell.. so close yet so…. Far?  

Well, just did my second CD4%, VL test last week, the results will be ready next week.. People asked me why I do it in a private clinic instead of a govt hospital? The answer is simple, time. I cannot afford to take time off from work to go to a govt hospital that only opens late into the morning and closes early in the evening. With a private clinic, I can go at night. But then, for CD4%, have to take it in the morning, no? It costs me between RM300-RM500 each tests every 3 months and it has now drained me of my financial resources.. I am quite tight at the moment.. Sigh.. Already defaulted on credit cards cos I cannot pay them on time.. .

It's been exactly 2 months since I learnt of my status, it's a whole roller coaster ride thus far albeit an expensive one. I have lost count of the money I spent on medications for STD (I am still on Aldara to treat chlamydia), and the tests. I could have chosen to go for government funded tests but it is very inconvenient for me to have to take an entire day off to get tests done and another day off to collect results. With my current job, I am just unable to do so, maybe I will have flexibility in my new job to allow me to take half day at the hospital? I also cannot risk anyone at work finding out. Much as I hate to say it, but it can cost me my job, and I am not prepared for that. I have come across plenty of people who thinks they know everything about HIV, including well-minded church people. Then they debate and talk as if they know it all but in actual fact, what they say were just bull shit and for all the wrong facts. I can't even begin to correct them, I fe...