Do you believe in the statement “everything happens for a reason?” Well I do. The circumstances for me getting into this HIV class were pretty upsetting to me. I am graduating in December and was told after semester started that I needed 6 more credit hours of electives to graduate. Since the add/drop deadline had passed, the only class I could get into was this HIV class. My first thoughts, to be completely honest, were not good. The topic of HIV is something tip-toed around constantly. It is nothing anyone wants to face or be educated on until it is something that affects their every day living.
Well to my disbelief, someone close to me just confronted me and confided in me that they were tested positive for HIV. Since this is a blog, I can say ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!?!?! My friend, a girl I’ve known since middle school, a girl that I spent hours upon hours playing tennis with, a person I thought would be my best friend till I was old has HIV. The thoughts that came to my mind at first was, “Am I going to loose my best friend, should I distance myself from her?” I felt completely selfish thinking this, but then again I guess you never know how you’ll really act or think in a situation like this until it’s put right in front of you. I can not believe it.
How must SHE be feeling? What thoughts are going through her mind every minute? Should I have more comforting things to say to her? Ugh, I don’t know. I feel like nothing I say will ever be good enough to help her through what she’s going through, even though it should because I’ve been her best friend for years. This virus that I have been studying daily now is taking over my friend’s body right now, every second. I’ve learned of how her body is trying to fight it off, but because of how powerful the HIV virus is, it can not. Why can’t there be a cure for her right now.
I hate seeing her suffer. This disease is real and dwelling among ones we love whether we know it or not. For me just starting this class I feel like I have learned more about the HORRIBLE disease then I want to know. But I believe the statement, “everything happens for a reason,” and I think God has put me in her life that I might be able to help her cope with her new found disease. God help her and me.
Wow, Jenna, that was a lot to read and take in, I can only imagine how you and your friend must feel. To my knowledge, I do not have anyone in my life that has been infected with HIV and I hope I will never have to hear that dreadful news from a loved one. I feel the same way you do, "Why can’t there be a cure for her right now?" (for your friend and for everyone else). Everything we have learned and will learn in this class will help us to be more knowledgeable of the disease so that we can people others. Being ignorant is not a valid excuse and we'll never get anywhere in this world without knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI know God will help the both of you get through this tough time and I'll be praying for you both!
I'm sorry to hear that your friend has HIV, Jenna. It must be hard to cope with the news. I would suggest you look at Advert.org and see what they have posted to help people who are newly diagnosed. You may find something there that can help you with your friend. I will tell you to hug your friend each time you meet. Human touch is something that a lot of HIV people crave because it says they are still human; nothing has changed. Sometimes it is all they need to get through the day. Learn all you can about this disease; the good and the bad, and use it it help you and her cope with the diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteShe will have good days and bad days. More good than bad if she is taking her medications. And taking the medications is paramount. She can't forget to take her meds because the virus will grow resistant to them and they will no longer work for her.
Tell her that life can be normal, as normal as any life can be. That means finding someone who will love her despite the disease. It also means she can have a child as long as she is on her medication consistently. Life isn't over although it might seem like that right now. If you need anything, you know how to reach me.
WOW! To say the least. I admire you for your honesty. Dealing with a situation like this....your best friend having HIV is something I can not imagine. Your blog somewhat reflects our qotw#2. I read what most people wrote and they all have about the same response. I would be supportive and be there for them as much as I can, but in actuality we don't know how we would react until we are placed in this situation. I don' think there really is a right or wrong way to handle it. We have to act on impulse. I'm sure your friend is grateful to have such a wonderful friend like you. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and you being in this class will definitely help you help your friend.
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