The first observance of World AIDS Day was December 1st, 1988. Just one year later, I was one of the millions of people who observed World AIDS Day as a person living with HIV.
It's hard to believe it's been 20 years; neither me nor my doctor expected I'd still be alive. When I was diagnosed HIV+ in 1989, AZT was the only antiretroviral treatment available. There have been many effective medications developed over the years, but they didn't come soon enough for the others in my Support Group.
Our group met every Saturday, and as the weeks, months, and years went by, I watched the life drain out of my new-found friends. Their viral loads increased while their CD4 counts decreased and their bodies wasted away. By the time new medications were released, their immune systems were already too compromised to fight back.
Today was a great day in Kansas City; sunny; near 60 degrees. I played golf. While I enjoyed my good health and the beauty of the outdoors on this World AIDS Day, I thought about all my friends that I've lost to this terrible disease, especially dean, Jim, Tim, and Richard.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
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