"HIV and me"

16 years ago evidently as a shock then but in 2005 HIV infections were really high and sadly I was affected. Emotionally challenging to accept the new reality and of course 3 years later when I needed to start arvs (anti retro viral drugs) to deal with side effects and the fact that my life was now dependent in hospital appointments and daily medication 💊.

Few health bumps along the way like Bell’s palsy and weight loss and off course for few years, lack of confidence on meeting partners and fear to be judged at work and keeping all to myself only with my family to support me. Medications the first few months were toxic and hard to deal with but after I complain about the regime I was put on different ARVs and since then my life improved dramatically at least on the health front. Still the psychological and social environments were still difficult but easing with time as HIV treatment has become less invasive and manageable and almost normal.

The NHS has been amazing and has hold my hand from day one until now and thanks to that my life 16 years down the line is almost normal and I’m thriving! I cannot thank enough the great help the NHS has and still does provide for me! If it wasn’t for the NHS I’m surely not be here too tell the story and for that I will always be grateful 😊