A big hello to all my friends on here

Firstly i want to appologise for not having been around and in chat as often as i would like but shall we say life has thrown a big thing in my path that i have been having to deal with and also come to terms with but i am for the most part getting there......well i guess my biggest news is that i have been having health problems and undergoing test with my Dr and it has shown up that i have contracted HIV so i have been having to undergo even more tests etc and also trying to get my head round a serious life style change that it has bought on but hey i am still here reasonably healthy and fitting this....Grizz my partner is being a real rock behind me as are my true friends.

I know it is not the death sentence that it was 10 years ago and now it is something that i will be able to live with and if i can stay healthy will be around for a long time...i know some of you will sign....lol

well enough of my news i hope you are all well and healthy.

love you all

hugs

xxxx

Richard

Yes your health is now your number one priority. Of course having such good support helps immensely. I know several friends who have been living with HIV for many years. I only know you through your posts but I have enjoyed them and I wish you a long and healthy life. For you and others I care about I pray that a cure is found very soon.

Take care of yourself, listen to your doctors. We expect to have your friendship for a long, long time. --FLO--

Yes, to second Uncle Flo, you need to put yourself first and take good care of yourself. You are a valued member of this community, and you know that our love and concern will be with you. We expect to have you here for many more healthy and happy years.

Richard,

Welcome back to EA!

Damn - I have no words for this one...other than keeping you in my thoughts.

Do take care of yourself. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Well another update for you...i saw my HIV Dr the other day and got the results from my last round of blood tests and the news was not so good in that my viral load result was sky high at 3.5million and my CD4 count was right down at 37 in the words of my Dr he was giving me a full blown AIDS diagnosis so it was suggested that i started combination therapy straight away fortunately the strain of HIV i have is fully treatable with medication so we are ever hopefull that my levels will change and we are hopeing that in time we can get my viral load down to undirtectable levels.....well i can live in hope....lol

Yes, you can hope, that is where we all start. --FLO--

I am sure that the prognosis is good and that you will respond with few side effects

Richard 31uk - Take good care of yourself and listen to your doctor.